Orsamus S. Barnes

Orsamus S. Barnes (August 7, 1830 – March 17, 1916) was a Michigan politician.

Orsamus S. Barnes
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the Eaton County 2nd district
In office
January 1, 1879 – December 31, 1880
Preceded byJames J. Gould
Succeeded byDuane Hawkins
Personal details
Born(1830-08-07)August 7, 1830
Broome County, New York
DiedMarch 17, 1916(1916-03-17) (aged 85)
Girard, Kansas
Political partyRepublican
Military service
Allegiance United States Army
Years of service1847–1848
Battles/warsMexican-American War

Early life

Barnes was born on August 7, 1830 in Broome County, New York. In 1839, he moved to Oberlin, Ohio due to the breaking up of his father's family.[1] In Ohio, he lived with some siblings and other relatives and attended school for a year. In February 1846, he moved to Wisconsin.[2]

Military career

On August 16, 1847, Barnes enlisted in the United States Army in Milwaukee to fight in the Mexican-American War. He was a part of the 15th Infantry Regiment. Of the 136 men in his company, he was one of only 26 survivors. He returned to Wisconsin at the end of the war.[1][3]

Career and education

Barnes lived in Wisconsin for about seven more years. There, he attended common school, taught classes, and worked at wagon shops. In the spring of 1855, Barnes returned to Oberlin, and continued his education there. In 1860, Barnes moved to Lenawee County, Michigan. In 1863, he moved to Eaton County, Michigan. In Michigan, he was a farmer.[1] He held nearly every type of township office, including supervisor and constable.[2] Barnes was a Republican ever since the party formed.[1] On November 5, 1878, Barnes was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, where he represented the Eaton County 2nd district from January 1, 1879 to December 31, 1880.[3]

Personal life

During his second time in Oberlin, Barnes met Elvira L. Spooner.[1] On February 19, 1857, Barnes and Spooner married in Oberlin. Together they had two children.[3] Barnes was a Church of Christ minister.[1]

Death

Barnes died on March 17, 1916 in Girard, Kansas.[3] He is interred at Hepler Cemetery.[4]

References
  1. State of Michigan (1881). Michigan manual. 1879-80 cop.2. HathiTrust.
  2. Michigan Historical Commission (1924). Michigan Biographies: Including Members of Congress, Elective State Officers, Justices of the Supreme Court, Members of the Michigan Legislature, Board of Regents of the University of Michigan, State Board of Agriculture and State Board of Education, Volume 1. Google Books.
  3. "Legislator Details - Orsamus S. Barnes". Library of Michigan. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  4. "Orsamus S. Barnes Memorial". Find a Grave. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
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