John Barney

Regions: Madison Co., NY; Dodge Co., WI

From Memorial and Genealogical Record of Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, publ. 1894 - Page 201-203 HON. JOHN A. BARNEY. There is not a more popular citizen and official in Dodge County, Wis., than John A. BARNEY, who holds the position of clerk of the court and whose conduct of the affairs of that office has been such as to commend him to the good opinion of the general public irrespective of party affiliation. When is added to this the fact that he fought under the grand old "stars and stripes" during the war and left an arm on one of the many bloody battle fields, it will be readily seen that there is still further cause for the good esteem in which he is universally held. He is a native of the Empire State, and first saw the light of day in Madison County June 14, 1840, a son of Hon. Benjamin F. BARNEY, who was a native of the same State as himself, while his grandfather BARNEY was a native of France and was a soldier under the great Napoleon, and fought in the famous battle of Waterloo. He came to this county in an early day and settled in New York State, where his son, Benjamin F., grew to manhood. He obtained a good education in his youth, became a lawyer, and was actively engaged in the practice of his profession until his death, which occurred at Juneau, Wis., in 1860. He was married in New York to Miss Z. F. GOODWIN, who was also a native of that state, born and reared in Madison County, and a daughter of Samuel GOODWIN, a pioneer of Madison County. In 1847 Mr. BARNEY and his wife came to Wisconsin and settled in Dodge County, in the political affairs of which section Mr. BARNEY became prominent. He represented Dodge County in the State Legislature for two or more terms, also served as clerk and filled other positions of trust and honor. His wife survived him a number of years, passing away March 18, 1879. John A. BARNEY was the eldest of three sons born to his parents, his brothers being M. G., who resides at Spokane Falls, Wash., and A. B., who resides in Spencer, Wis. John A. BARNEY was seven years old when brought to Dodge County, and here he attained manhood and received a good education in the public schools, in the Mayville High School and at an excellent private institution. When the great Civil War came up he at once enlisted in Company B, Tenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was a faithful and trustworthy soldier until he was honorably discharged, in the spring of 1864. He enlisted as a private, but was soon promoted to the rank of sergeant, and on November 28, 1862, was promoted to Gov. Lucius Fairchild, captain by brevet. This was for meritorious and gallant service on the field of battle on two different occasions, one being at Chickamauga, where Mr. BARNEY was wounded in the left arm, while gallantly discharging his duty, which later necessitated the amputation of the limb. This document is signed by "Lucius Fairchild, Governor; Thomas S. Allen, Secretary of State, and James K. Proudfit, Adjutant General." Mr. BARNEY participated in a number of important engagements, among which may be mentioned, Perryville, Ky., Stone River, Tenn., Hoover's Gap, Tullahoma, Chickamauga and numerous other engagements of less note. He was taken prisoner at Chickamauga, was paroled at the end of ten days, and in the spring of 1864 was honorably discharged and returned to his home in Mayville. After the war he made teaching a profession for a number of years, then held the position of principal of the Mayville High School for fifteen consecutive terms, when he was elected to the office of superintendent of the schools of Dodge County, which office he filled two terms of two years each. After completing his last term he engaged in the farm implement business, which he continued for several years. He has always taken an active part in local politics, and has served his party as delegate to numerous county and State conventions. In 1873 he was elected to the State Senate by his numerous Democratic friends, and served throughout the sessions of 1875-76, and was a member of many important committees, such as the committees on education, military affairs and railroads. In 1888 he was elected to represent Dodge County in the lower house of the General Assembly, served through the sessions of 1889-90 and again was on various important committees. He made an able and intelligent legislator, maintained the dignity of his position, and was a credit to himself and the county which he represented. In 1892 he was elected clerk of the court by Dodge County, and is the present accommodating and efficient incumbent of that office. Mr. BARNEY has conscientiously performed all his duties, has wielded a wide influence in political circles, is popular with the masses, and commands alike the respect of political friends and foes. He was united in marriage in Dodge County, August 21, 1866, to Miss Henrietta BEESON, a native of Dodge County, who was reared and educated in Mayville, and a daughter of Dr. H. S. BEESON, a pioneer physician of Dodge County. Mrs. BARNEY is a finely educated woman and she and Mr. BARNEY have two intelligent and amiable daughters: Maud G., who is a successful teacher in the Mayville High School, and Jessie, who, although she holds a teacher's certificate, has never taught. Mr. BARNEY is a prominent member of the I.O.O.F., and has filled all the chairs in the subordinate lodge and the encampment, and has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State a number of times. He is also a member of the Grand Army organization, and has served as eminent commander of his post. Mr. BARNEY is well known all over the State, is a man of superior mental ability, and is eminently qualified to fill any position. He and his wife and daughters are socially among the first people of their section. Submitted by Carol