My Genealogy Hound

EDWIN BARNES. The Barnes family, from England, were among the earliest settlers of what is now Montgomery county, a member of the family who came to America in the time of William Penn having given land to Abington Friends’ Meeting for school purposes, which greatly increased in value and has become the basis of a valuable educational fund.

John Barnes, great-grandfather of Edwin Barnes, settled in Horsham township, where he obtained 229 acres of land from the proprietor of the province of Pennsylvania, William Penn. He had a large family of children, among them Benjamin. Benjamin (grandfather) was born on the Barnes homestead in Horsham township. He acquired an ordinary education and became a farmer, devoting his attention to such pursuits all his life. He married Miss Susan Stubbs, also of Horsham township. The couple had several children, among them George.

George Barnes (father) was born on the old farm. He was educated in the public schools, and then turned his attention to agriculture, which pursuit he followed through life. He removed from Horsham township to Hatboro, also in Montgomery county. In politics he was an active Whig and, later, on the organization of that party, a Republican. Mr. Barnes married Sarah Marple, who was a member of the Society of Friends, daughter of a prominent farmer of Horsham township. The couple had five children.

Their son, Edwin, the subject of this sketch, was born in Hatboro, August 9, 1835. He was educated in the neighborhood schools, devoted his attention to farming, and followed that pursuit for a number of years. Recently he has lived retired. Several years ago he removed to Springfield township, and purchased a beautiful home at Flourtown where he has since resided. He married December 19, 1861, Miss Cordelia Donnalley, born October 31, 1835, daughter of Thomas K. (deceased) and Susan (Felty) Donnalley, of the state of Ohio, in which state Mrs. Barnes was born. The couple have the following children: Lydia, born October 18,1863, who married Lemuel Dager, they having one child, Leslie Dager; Leslie, born October 16, 1866, who married Laura Brinton, daughter of Jesse and Lydia (Wood) Brinton; to this union were born four children-Marion, Hallet, Channing and Donnalley Barnes.

Mr. Barnes is a strong Republican in politics, but has not sought political preferment, although he has served several years as assessor, his good judgment as to the value of property making him especially useful in this capacity. Mr. Barnes and his wife attend the Reformed church.