My Genealogy Hound

ANDREW J. BARNETT, assistant cashier and manager of the interests of the Paris (Tenn.) Commercial Bank in Murray, was born in this county September 22, 1844, to James L. and Hannah D. (Hardison). The father was a farmer, born in Christian County, this State, but resided principally in Calloway County, where he died in March, 1853. Our subject is the fourth of nine children, seven of whom are yet living. He was reared on a farm and received his early schooling in the common district schools, which was followed by a course in the Evansville (Ind.) Commercial College, from which institution he graduated in 1867. Returning to Murray he was variously engaged four years, when a partnership was formed with T. McElrath, and a general hardware and grocery business was carried on for fifteen months, when Mr. McElrath died. Mr. Barnett purchased the entire stock and carried on the business until 1880. He was interested also in a blacksmith and wagon factory, and in the Murray Mills. In 1880 he became interested in the Paris (Tenn.) Bank, and in dealing also in real estate. He has large farming interests, makes a specialty of shorthorn cattle raising, and has invested heavily of late in the cattle business in Texas. Mr. Barnett is one of the most energetic, successful business men of the State, and has accumulated his large property by close attention to business and keen sagacity in financial matters. He is the present treasurer of the school board. May 12, 1878, he married Mrs. Laura A. (Curd) McElrath, widow of his former partner. She has two sons: Felix B. and John P. McElrath.