BIOGRAPHY OF JOHN R. BARNES
John Richard Barnes was born July 28, 1853 at Sandy Bedfordshire England, Died January 21, 1919. Died Tuesday evening at about seven o'clock. The funeral of John R. Barmes was held on Sunday January 2S, 1919 at twelve o'clock in Kaysville Ward.
He left his native land on the 28th of March 1855, for the gospel of Jesus of Latter-day Saints which he proved himself by his words.
Later arrived in Utah October, 16th, 1855.
Was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday
Saints April 28th, 1848.
Was ordained a Priest September 1st, 1850.
Was ordained an Sider May 15, 1856. A seventy February 19th, 1857. A High Priest January 29, 1877. Was ordained a High Priest and set apart a first Counselor to Bishop Peter Barton who had recently been appointed Bishop of the Kaysville ward which office he held until he was released on Feb. 29th, 1907, being about thirty years counselor to Peter Barton.
A Patriarch Aug. 15th, 1916, he blessed or gave blessings to about 75 or it may be a few more.
ANCESTORS ON MY FATHERS SIDE
William Barnes my father was the son of Thomas and Fanny Day Barnes was born Oct. 26th, 1792, at Bedford Bedfordshire England, died September 9th, 1880 at Kaysville, Utah at the time
of his death he held the Priesthood of an Elder.
My sister Anne Barnes Smith was born March 6th, 1817. Died June 5th, 1871.
My brother William J. Barnes born Aug. 20th, 1820, died November 14th, 1895. He fell from a wagon and broke his neck, was buried November 17, 1895.
My sister Sarah Barnes Layton, born July 6th, 1826. Died September 15th, 1906.
ANCESTORS ON MY MOTHERS SIDE
My mother Elizabeth Jeffries Barnes born October 15, 1795. Died, November 25th, 1869.
My grandmother Sarah Jeffries died February 15th, 1860 aged Ninety years.
My grandfather, John Jeffries died January 7th, 1618, In his fifty second year, born December 2nd, 1766.
My Great Grandfather John Jeffries died February 18, 1829 aged 97 years.
My aunt Sarah Jeffries was bom July 14, 1800.
My uncle William Jeffries was born February 18th, 1805.
SISTERS OF MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER
Ann Clarke Jeffries, my Great Grandmother.
Elizabeth Jeffries.
Sarah Jeffries.
Elizabeth Clarke Thompson.
Sarah Clarke Rawlins.
William Thompson. Son of Elizabeth Clarke Thompson.
Henry Thompson. Son of Elizabeth Clarke Thompson.
Elizabeth Jeffries. My Great Aunt.
ANCESTORS OF EMILY SHELTON BARNES.
Emily’s father, George Shelton born July 6th, 1804. Died March 12th, 1891.
Emily’s mother. Mary Franklin Shelton, Born November 29, 1802. Died, December 1875.
Emily’s sister, Jane Shelton, born June 24th, 1828. Died February 4th, 1595.
Emily’s brother. William Shelton born, September 6th, 1853. Died, March 24th, 1854.
Emily’s uncle, John Franklin, born October 26th, 1819.
Emily’s uncle, William Franklin, born July 19, 1816.
Emily’s aunt. Ann Franklin, born December 1st, 1805.
Emily’s aunt. Sarah Franklin, born October 17th, 1808.
Emily’s aunt. Susan Franklin, born April 1st, 1811.
Emily’s aunt. Elizabeth Franklin, born October 23rd, 1813.
Brother of Adams Franklin. John Franklin
Brother of Adams Franklin. William Franklin.
Sister to Adams Franklin. Susan Franklin.
Sister to Adams Franklin. Ann Franklin.
Emily’s grandmother. Ellen Martin Franklin wife of Adams
Franklin.
Emily’s uncle. William Shelton, Born May 2.
Emily’s great uncle. George Shelton.
On the 24th, of August 1875 my wife Emily Shelton Barnes had been very poorley for some weeks and on Thursday 26th, of August she gave birth to twins, boy and girl, the dysentery continued and inflammation and fever being in the bowels a trouble she nearly died when her first baby was born. She got worse and expired at five o'clock on Monday morning August 30th. The deceased was buried at four o'clock P.M. the following day. A large number of persons three to five hundred with forty six wagons and carriages attended the funeral. Peace to the departed. A few days after the mothers death the babies commenced failing and on Sunday September 12th in the morning at fifteen minutes past two, the little boy breathed his last. He was blessed by his father receiving the name of Charles David. September 7th, 1875. The little girl was blessed and the name of Emily given to her September 8th, 1875 by her father. She died September 18th, 1875 and was buried the following Sunday. Both babies rest in the same grave with their mother.
Emily Shelton Barnes born February 6th, 1835 at Northill Bedfordshire England. Married to John R. Barnes at Liverpool, England March 23rd, 1853, died August 30th, 1875. Emigrated with John R. Barnes in 1853. Peace to the departed. Our children were as follows:
Mary Elizabeth Barnes Gailey. Daughter of John R. Barnes and Emily Shelton Barnes. Was born at Kaysville, Davis County September 23rd, 1858. When eight years old was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and was a faithful member. On November 28, 1878 she married John W.
Gailey. On the 25th of August 1879 a son was born to them and they named him John Richard Gailey. On the first day of February 1881 her second child was born, a fine boy weighing twelve pounds. She appeared to be gaining strength and doing well until early in the morning of the 18th of February when she
complained of violent pain in her head and requested her husband to go for her father and stepmother which he did and upon his return he found, his wife unconscious, in -the course of the day other friends and neighbors gathered. In doing what they could to alleviate her sufferings but without avail. The next morning medical aid was obtained but nothing seemed to help the patient. She gradually grew weaker and on the forenoon of the following day, Sunday, it became apparent she could not last long. Consciousness never returned and she continued to sink until seven minutes past seven P.M. February 20th, 1881, when she breathed her last, surrounded by her husband and other relatives and friends. On the following evening the body was taken to her father's house and the next day at noon carried to the meeting house by six young men associates of herself and her husband. The funeral services were conducted by Bishop Peter Barton. A very large number of people being in attendance sixty five teams with an average of about five persons to each team followed the remains to the grave. Thus passed away an affectionate and faithful wife and mother and a beloved daughter and sister. Her stepmother Elizabeth Geeves Barnes cared for the children John Richard Gailey and Arthur Franklin Gailey.
John George Moroni Barnes son of John R. Barnes and Emily Shelton Barnes. Born March 5th, 1860. Baptized by Robert Egbert, October 1, 1868. Confirmed by Mark Beazer and others October 1st, 1868 and received his endowments and at the same time was ordained an Elder May 8th, 1876. Married Miriam McPherson September 9th, 1880. J. G. M. Barnes was ordained a seventy and set apart for a mission by George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith, being in the month of September 3rd, 1882.
Arthur Franklin Barnes son of John R. Barnes and Emily Shelton Barnes, born October 3rd, 1861. Baptized May 16th, 1872 by William L. Payne. Confirmed the same day by Rosel Hyde. Married Miss Elizabeth Sansame May 15th, 1885.
Jane Ann Barnes, daughter of John R. Barnes and Emily Shelton Barnes. Born September 4th, 1865, died December 4th, 1865.
Richard William Barnes son of John R. Barnes and Emily Shelton Barnes. Born April 15th, 1866. Baptized June 3rd, 1875 by Ezra Williams. Confirmed the same day by Rosel Hyde.
Ordained an Elder March 23, 1884.
Wilford Shelton Barnes son of John R. Barnes and Emily Shelton Barnes born October 18th, 1867. Baptized June 1876. Ordained a teacher February 24th, 1884. A priest. Rebaptized and confirmed November 21st, 1892 by John G. M. Barnes. Ordained an Elder November 21st, 1892 by his father John R. Barnes. Received his endowments in the Logan Temple November 23rd, 1892. Ordained a Seventy by Seymour B. Young, December 1st, 1892, and on the following morning started on a mission to Great Britain leaving Kaysville at 7:15 December 2nd, via Union Pacific Railway. Returned home Sunday March 24th, 1895. Married Ellis Hilsted June 24th, 1897.
Ernest Barnes son of John R. Barnes and. Emily Shelton Barnes born August 25th, 1869. Died October 13th, 1870.
Herbert James Barnes son of John R. Barnes and Emily Shelton Barnes born March 10th, 1872. Died January 1st, 1880. On the 12th day of May, 1874 my wife Emily Shelton Barnes gave birth to a still born boy.
Elizabeth Geeves Barnes born March 6th, 1836 at Beeston Bedfordshire, England. Married to John R. Barnes, December 1865. Died March 26th, 1896 at Kaysville, buried March 29th. On the tombstone over her grave in the Kaysville Cemetery appears the following inscription:
"The deceased was an affectionate wife and a kind mother to the motherless."
The reference is to her sweet, motherly devotion to the young children of Emily Shelton Barnes, Richard and Frank Gailey.
George William Barnes son of John R. Barnes and Elizabeth Geeves Barnes, born December 20th, 1869. Baptized June 20th, 1878. Ordained a deacon February 24th, 1884. Ordained a teacher, a priest and an elder, Married Martha Amelia Jones March 4th, 1897.
Emily Stewart Barnes born May 3rd, 1846, at Colmworth, Bedfordshire, England, Married to John R. Barnes, November 29th, 1869 in the old endowment house.
Our children are:
Royal C. Barnes son of John R. and Emily Stewart Barnes, born May 27th, 1871. Baptized by Wm. Blood. Ordained a Deacon February 24th, 1884. Ordained a teacher. Accepted a position with the Deseret National Bank at Salt Lake City, December 9th, 1889. Married Maud Mary Lawson, June 10th, 1897.
Minnie Ann Barnes, daughter of John R. and Emily Stewart Barnes born October 2nd, 1872. Baptized October 3rd, 1880, by Wm., Blood and confirmed same day by John R. Barnes. Married to Henry H. Blood, June 4th, 1896.
Emily Maud Barnes, daughter of John R. and Emily Stewart Barnes, born July 8th, 1875. Baptized August 5th, I883, and confirmed same day. Baptized by Wm. Blood, confirmed by E. A. Williams.
Martha Ellen Barnes, daughter of John R. and Emily Stewart Barnes, born August 9th, 1877. Baptized September 15th, 1885 by Wm. Blood. Confirmed same day by her father, Peter Barton and others. Died March 21st, I925 at Salt Lake City in the L.D.S. Hospital.
Mary Ann Barnes, daughter of John R. and Emily Stewart Barnes. Born October 20th, 1879. Baptized November 8th, 1887 by J.G.M. Barnes. Confirmed November 20th, 1887 by John R. Barnes
Elizabeth Beatta Barnes, daughter of John R. and Emily Stewart Barnes, born October 27th, 1881. Baptized and confirmed May 25th, 1890. Married Lawrence C. Blood September_____ in the Salt Lake Temple.
Claude Teancum Barnes son of John R. and Emily Stewart Barnes, born February 15th, 1884. Blessed May 1st, by John R. Barnes. Baptized by Wm. Blood June 25th, 1892, confirmed same day by E. A. Williams. Ordained a Deacon February 22nd, 1897 by James Smith. Ordained a teacher March 12th, 1899 by Thos. F. Roueche. Appointed Pres. Deacons Quorum 1697. Appointed Pres. Teachers Quorum January 28th, 1900 by Bro. J. R. Barnes. September 17th, 1899, commenced school at the University of Utah. October 1st, 1900, recontinued school. September 15th, 1901, recommenced school. Have determined to study for Law. July 1901, appointed to the office of Sunday School teacher in the Kaysville Sunday School. July 1902 visited Cripple Creek, Colorado, with father and mother. Object, delegate Trans. Miss. Commercial Congress. During the summer of 1902 I acted as reporter from Kaysville to the Salt Lake Herald, enjoyed it very much. Received call from Pres. Joseph F. Smith to attend L.D.S. University for a month or two beginning September 8th, 1902. After which I am to go on a mission. The youngest missionary that ever left Kaysville. Ordained an Elder, Sunday November 20th, 1902, by Walter Cottrell. December 4th, 1902 received his endowments in the Salt Lake Temple. December 12th, 1902 was set apart for a mission to Great Britain by Seymour E. Young (he being mouth), John Henry Smith, Rulon S. Wells and Arthur E. Barnes. Started on his mission the following morning December 15th, at 7:10 A.M. Labored the entire time in the West End of London making specialty of street preaching, in July and August 1904 spent eight weeks traveling in Italy, France, Belgium, and Germany. December 17th, 1904 released prematurely to accompany Mrs. Goddard and son home to her dead husband in Utah. February 6th, 1905 gave lecture on Rome in meeting house. February 6th, 1905, recommenced studies at U. of U. October 1905 to June 1906 studied Law, the whole year at the University of Chicago. Elected President of "The Stump" the largest debating society in school. August 6th, 1906 married to Miss Annie E. Knowlton in the Salt Lake Temple.
Hazel Elaine Barnes daughter of John R. and Emily Stewart Barnes born September 11th, 1887. Blessed November 3rd, 1887. Baptized October 3rd, 1895 by J. G. M. Barnes, confirmed same day by Thomas F. Roueche. Married to Richard Ambrose Hart June 17th, 1914.
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John Richard Barnes was born July 28th, 1833 at Sandy, Bedfordshire England. He was the youngest child of William and Elizabeth Jeffries Barnes. His parents were of the working class and early in life taught their children to labor and the writer remembers well his early experience in picking up potatoes and other work in which he was capable of performing. For his services he would usually receive six pence (twelve cents) per day, when not at work he had to attend the village school, when he was about eleven and a half years old he engaged with the school teacher to do chores for his food and schooling. This arrangement continued for fourteen months and the education gained during this period has been a great help to him through life. In the spring of 1846 a storekeeper by the name of John Sergeant offered him a situation in his store which after due consideration was accepted (although the school teacher tried hard to keep him). He received for his service with Mr. Sergeant one shilling or twenty five cents per week and board for the first year, he continued with Mr. Sergeant for nearly seven years receiving an increase in his salary from time to time so that when he quit. he was getting twenty pounds or a little more than one hundred dollars per year in addition to his board. While in the employ of Wm. Sergeant he became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In the fall of 1850 he was ordained a Priest which office he held at the time of his emigration. He in company with his parents, also his brother and his brothers wife and family of five children started for Utah on the 19th, of March 185S. Prior to this he had become engaged to Miss Emily Shelton who at the same time started with him for Utah and whom he married at Liverpool on March 23rd, 1863. Elder Robert Campbell performing the ceremony. The ship Falcon on which they crossed the Atlantic to New Orleans was detained in port a week longer than was expected but about noon on Monday March 28th, she weighed anchor and started on her way. The journey to New Orleans occupied seven weeks and two days. On arriving at New Orleans the company were put on board a steamer which started in a few hours for St. Louis at which place the company changed steamers and arrived in due time at Keokuk, Iowa, here they were detained two weeks, finally all being ready a start was made for Utah, Elder Appleton Harmon being Captain of the Company. Nothing unusual occured on the journey and he with the company reached Salt Lake City on the 16th day October of the same year his wife having preceded him several days she being met on Harns Fork by a brother-in-law, Wm. B. Smith.
On October the 17th, he arrived in Kaysville and was made welcome to the home of his sister and brother-in-law Wm. B. Smith who kindly furnished a home for all the family until the next summer. Early in December he commenced teaching school for thirty dollars per month and continued this vocation for six months. During the winter evenings he and his wife made straw braid which the latter sewed into hats the following spring for which hats she found a ready sale. At the close of school June 5, 1854 he worked for a time on. the Fort wall and later worked in the harvest field for Bro. John Marriot. During the fall he succeeded in building a one story adobe house with a dirt roof, the door to this house he made himself and also laid the floor, he also made a table and some seats out of slabs, during the winter of 1854 and 1855 he again taught school for a short term. The spring of 1855 opened very early and as the wheat began to show the grasshoppers commenced hatching and soon devoured the greater part of the crops, as a result but little grain was raised and bread stuff became exceedingly scarce.
The subject of our sketch however, was more fortunate than many others, he succeeded in raising 15 bushels of wheat on five acres of land this wheat he threshed with a stick, this labor occupied six days. Before the next harvest many suffered for lack of food but through the mercy of a kind Providence both
he and his wife had enough to eat. In the following winter he again taught school and when spring opened he dug his lot of 1/4 of an acre with a spade and planted a garden which was quite productive and proved to be a great comfort. He also worked at farming cultivating a few acres of land on his own account. In the fall of 1856 he bought a yoke of steers and also an old wagon and from this on better prepared to cultivate the soil, get wood from the mountains, etc.
In the fall of 1857 he being a private in Captain Samuel Henderson’s Company of Infantry was called to go to Echo Canyon expecting there to make a stand against the troops of Uncle Sam, remaining in the canyon three weeks the company was ordered to return to Ogden after a days rest they were ordered North by way of Cache Valley to Marsh Valley where they stayed four days, at the expiration of this time orders were received for the boys to return home which they did by way of Malad Valley. He took part in the move of 1858 going south to Utah County returning as soon as the opportunity was given.
From this time on he occupied his time for a few years chiefly in tilling the soil. In 1862 he took part in what is known as the Morrisite fight on the Weber river being one of the possee which accompanied Colonel R. T. Barton. In the early sixties he was appointed Postmaster at Kaysville on January 14, 1863, which position he held for several years when a press of other business compelled him to resign. About the year 1863 he commenced the business of merchandising beginning with a very small stock of goods kept in the house in which he and his family resided; as soon however as circumstances would permit he built a new house for his family and continued to use the old one as a store until 1869. About 1867 he formed a copartnership with William Stewart for the purpose of tanning leather, this business was continued for years or until after the advent of the Union Pacific Railroad when leather was imported and sold at such prices that made a further continuance of the business unprofitable hence the partnership was dissolved.
The business of merchandising proved very satisfactory and steadily increased in volume. In this business he was greatly assisted by his wife Emily Shelton Barnes who attended to the business in his absence. In December 1865 he married his second wifd Elizabeth Greeves.
In the year 1868 a cooperative movement was started in Salt Lake City. This move soon spread and early in the spring of 1869 a company was formed in Kaysville (not incorporated at this time) under the name of Kaysville Cooperative Mercantile Institution, to this Company Mr. Barnes sold his stock of merchandise for something over four thousand dollars taking stock in the Company to the amount of three thousand dollars, he was chosen Superintendent or Manager of the business, which position he has held from that time to the present time of writing February 6th, 1902. This business has been very successful, it never having failed of paying a large yearly dividend. On November 29, 1869 he married his third wife Emily Stewart thus proving by his works his faith in the principle of plurality of wives, of the truth of which he received a testimony when only a youth in his native land, this testimony he kept to himself until after the principle was made known to the world.
Shortly after the organization of Z.C.M.I. or Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institution and the Deseret National Bank he took stock in both of these Institutions and has ever since owned stock therein. The latter commenced business September 1st 1871. Later he became a Director in both of these companies.
When commencing his business career he made up his mind not to go into debt, a rule he has with few exceptions strictly adhered to. In the year 1874 he paid a visit to his native land starting on the 27th of May and returned on the 27th of August, being absent from home just three months. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention which assembled in Salt Lake City February 19th, 1872.
In April 1877 he attended the dedication of the St. George Temple. In the latter part of August of this year he went to Chicago to purchase goods for the firm of Barnes and Davis, Salt Lake City.
In the year 1882 he took a trip to California, on this trip he was accompanied by his eldest son John G. M.
On the 22nd of February 1867 he was arrested on a charge of unlawful cohabitation taken to Salt Lake City before Com. McKay and placed under $1500.00 bond. A few days later he was arraigned before Judge Zane and entered a plea of not guilty. Three or four days before the time set for trial which was in the fore part of April he felt strongly impressed to go to Salt Lake City which he did and there met an old acquaintance with whom he had done business years before; this man was Isadore Morris, who when he learned the condition of affairs, promised to do all in his power to have the case postponed, the acquaintance up to this time had been slight but the efforts of affairs, Morris proved successful and thus a firm friendship was formed which has proved as enduring as life. On Sunday morning the day before the one set for trial Mr. Barnes received word that the efforts of Mr. Morris had been successful, he having obtained a promise that when the case would be called in Court it would be postponed for the term. With this good news came a message from President John Taylor that he (Mr. Barnes) should see Mr. Morris the following morning before the time of holding Court and endeavor to get the case of Bro. Wm. Blood which was set for the same time postponed. To comply with this request seemed difficult. The acquaintance with his friend, Morris, was slight and the time intervening short, he however determined to try and accordingly he started from home about four o'clock in the morning, prepared to go to the Penitentiary, should the news he had received concerning the postponement of his case prove incorrect.
Arriving in Salt Lake City about seven A.M. he soon learned where his friend lived, as he approached the house he saw his friend outside on the sidewalk and approached him with a great deal of timidity, his friend very kindly greeted him and assured him his case would be postponed. The time had come to make the request in behalf of Bro. Blood. At first the request was not favorably received but after a few minutes conversation a promise was given by Mr. Morris that he would do what he could. The hour for trial arrived and when the Clerk called the case of John R. Barnes, also that of Mr. Blood they were on motion of Attorney Richards continued for the term. The experience gained during these events strongly impressed the subject of our sketch that it is good to obey the counsel of the Servants of God also to follow the impressions of the Holy Spirit.
His case was again called up during the first week in September, but through the influence of his friend Morris it was again continued for the term.
Early in April 1888 it became apparent that the case would be called up during the April term of Court and after considering the matter Mr. Morris made up his mind he would visit President Cleveland in the interest of the Mormon people in general and especially in the interest of two or three of his friends.
On the 30th of April 1888 the long pending trial came on and upon his (J. R. Barnes) pleading guilty he was sentenced by Judge Zane to three months imprisonment in the Penitentiary and to pay a fine of three hundred dollars, the same afternoon he was taken to the Penitentiary where he met several friends who had preceded him on a similar charge. He was treated kindly by the Warden Wm. Pratt during his stay in prison, While these events were passing his friend Isadore Morris was doing his best bringing all the influence he could to bear upon President Cleveland to pardon his friend Barnes. In this he succeeded and on the 22nd of June he (Barnes) was released from the Penitentiary, he in the mean time having received a full and unconditional pardon from President Glover Cleveland. At the Penitentiary he was met by his son Arthur Franklin with a conveyance to take him to Salt Lake City, on his arrival there the city appeared
more beautiful than ever before. Remaining in Salt Late City a few hours he took the afternoon train for home where he arrived in due time thankful for the privilege of again meeting his family and friends and grateful to the Almighty God for the protection and blessings he had received flaring the trials he had passed through and in no way regreting the experience he had passed through, in fact, it may be said his experience had broadened his views and had created in him a greater degree of charity for his fellow men.
He immediately resumed his usual avocation and from time to time increased his business relations as opportunity presented.
He was present at the laying of the capstone of the Salt Lake Temple, April 6th, 1892 and during the following year contributed one thousand dollars towards the completion of the sacred edifice. He was present at the dedication thereof, April 6th, 1893.
The Barnes Banking Company was organized at Kaysville and commenced business early in January 1891.In the organization of this company he took a prominent part subscribing for three fifths of the stock and at the organization of the Company he was elected President and his son R. W. Barnes was appointed Cashier. About the same period the Kaysville Co-operative Mercantile Institution was incorporated. This Company had been doing business for more than twenty years or ever since 1869 during which time he had been its Superintendent which position he continued to hold after the incorporation, being assisted however by his son John G. M. Barnes.
I visited the Mine Winter Fair in California in the spring of 1894, with some of my family: A. F. Barnes and wife. Royal C. Barnes and Minnie A. Barnes and others.
He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1895 and assisted in framing the Constitution of the State of Utah. At an election held on the 5th day of November 1895 he was elected Senator from the third district and accordingly took his seat in the first Legislature of the State of Utah which assembled January 6th, 1896. On the 13th, of the same month he was taken violently ill with stomach trouble, a malady from which he had suffered much for thirty five years. He was unable to attend the afternoon session and returned home suffering greatly. After several weeks he improved somewhat and made another effort to attend the session of the Senate but after attending one session was compelled to return home, his sickness increased and many of his friends despaired of his recovery. He was reduced to a mere skeleton weighing at one time only ninety pounds. While in this condition he was visited by Apostles Joseph F. Smith, Francis M. Lyman and George Teasdale who washed and anointed him and also administered to him praying earnestly for his recovery. In this administration they were assisted by Bro. W. Stewart, Bishop Peter Barton and others. His friend Isadore Morris was a constant visitor and did all in his power to comfort and cheer the sick one, the same may be said of many others. Many earnest prayers coupled with fasting were offered up for his recovery. Medical aid was called, five doctors being present on one occasion, their efforts however gave but little relief. At length however, the faith and prayers of his brethren and sisters and the untiring efforts of his devoted wife Emily Stewart, who tenderly nursed him through his long sickness, prevailed. A change for the better took place, not however until he had been brought to the verge of death he himself believing on one occasion that he was dying. Improvement was slow and it took more than a year before recovery was complete. While he was very low his wife Elizabeth Geeves was taken down with pneumonia, and on the 26th of March she breathed her last. Apostles John W. Taylor and Abraham H. Canon attended her funeral. President John W. Hess was also present.
John R. Barnes was appointed a member of the Advisory Council of the World's Congress Auxiliary on Farm Culture and Cereal industry, and a member of the World's Agricultural Congresses to convene in the City of Chicago during the week Commencing Monday, October 16th, 1893. John R. Barnes was one of the guarantors of the Worlds Fair Loan whereby Utah was enabled to be represented at the Worlds Columbian Exposition at Chicago in the year 1893.
In the month of April 1900 he with his wife and daughter Emily Maude attended as delegates the Trans. Mississippi Commercial Congress at Houston, Texas and in July 1901 attended a meeting of the same body at Cripple Creek Colorado being accompanied by his wife and son Claude Teancum.
In August 1902 he and his wife Emily S. and daughter Martha Ellen accompanied quite a number of friends from Salt Lake City to St. Paul, Minnesota as delegates to the aforesaid Congress. After the Congress closed this party, twenty in number, continued their journey to Duluth by rail thence by steamboat Via Lake
Superior and Lake Michigan to Chicago stopping at different points on the way. On leaving Chicago most of the party paid a visit to Carthage, Illinois where the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Patriarch Hyrum Smith were martyred for the truth's sake, they were shown the room where the martyrdom occurred. A hole in the door where the bullet passed through which killed Hyrum is still to be seen. A visit was also made to Nauvoo which at this date contains many evidences of the industry and thrift of the Saints who were so ruthlessly driven from there in 1846 by an infuriated mob of ruffians. Prior to the expulsion of the Saints, Nauvoo and vicinity had a population of nearly twenty thousand, at this date (1902) Nauvoo has a population of fourteen hundred. Early in the year 1902 he assisted in forming a company known as the Kaysville Canning Company. The object of the company being to can tomatoes and other products, this company had a successful run the first year.
On the 13th of December his son Claude Teancum left on a mission to Great Britain.
On the 14th of September 1903 he in company with his wife and three of his daughters (Mary A, Elizabeth B. and Hazel E.) left home to attend a meeting of the Trans. Mississippi Commercial Congress at Seattle, at the close of the Congress they in company with some friends took passage on a Steamer for Alaska going as far North as Skagway where they stayed a few hours, returning to Seattle on the same steamer. The party reached Home in safety on the 11th of September, (an error here in date).
In the early part of July 1904 he (In company with his wife and daughter Mary Ann) visited the Louisiana Exposition at St. Louis and while there attended the Democratic National Convention as an alternate. During this trip they spent three days in Chicago. During the succeeding four years he made several trips to different cities attending congresses in the interest of the Trans. Mississippi Commercial and Irrigation organizations. He also continued his active business career and at this writing February 7th, 1909, holds the following positions: president of Barnes Banking Company, Vice-President and Treasurer of Kaysville Canning Company, Director or the Kaysville Brick Company, president of the John R. Barnes Company, a family organization, Vice-President of the Davis and Weber Counties Canal Company, a Director in the Provo Woolen Mills Company, which Company shortly after went into liquidation. A Director in Zions Co-operative Mercantile Institution also a member of the Executive Committee of the same Institution. A Director in the Deseret National Bank. Director In the Deseret Savings Bank. Director in the Home Fire Insurance Company, and Vice-President of the Wabash Mining Company.
On the 24th of February 1907 Bishop Peter Barton was released from the Bishopric of the Kaysville Ward which carried with it that of his counselors (John R. Barnes and E. H. Sheffield). John R. Barnes had been associated with Bishop Barton as his first counselor from the time of his appointment until his release, a period of nearly thirty years.
During December 1909 the writer with his wife, and daughter spent about four weeks in Los Angeles. Early in the year 1911 himself and wife spent four to five weeks in the sane city going by way of San Francisco. In the spring of the same year the Davis County Canning Company organized of which Company the writer was chosen President. This Company erected a Cannery at Syracuse on land purchased from: the John R. Barnes Company and commenced canning tomatoes in August, owing to early frost the tomato crop was quite short, being about half of an average.
At a State Democratic Convention held in Salt Late City May 1912, the writer was elected a delegate to the National Democratic Convention which convened in Baltimore June 25, 1912. He attended this convention and cast his vote for Wilson for president, first, last and all the time. His wife accompanied him and during this trip they visited Pittsburgh, Washington and New York. During February and March 1914, spent a few weeks in California, also during the same months in 1916. Accompanied by his wife he attended the National Democratic Convention held at St. Louis June 14, 1915 at which convention Woodrow Wilson was nominated (for a second term) for President of the United States.
A certificate was given John R. Barnes which stated that he was duly elected to the office of Director of Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institution, for the year ending April 5, 1919. Signed by Joseph F. Smith. A like certificate was given him by the same company which stated that he was a director for the year ending April 5th, 1918. Signed by Joseph F. Smith. John R. Barnes attended the Trans. Mississippi Congress on the following dates as well as the dates before mentioned. St. Paul, August 19-22, 1902, Omaha 1895, Salt Lake City (Vice-President). 1897. Houston, Texas April 17-21, 1900. Cripple Creek, July 16-19, 1901. National Immigration Congress. Albuquerque, New Mexico, September, 1908. Ogden, September 15, 1903. Boise, Idaho, September, 1906.
