My Genealogy Hound

DEXTER R. BARNES, formerly a lumber dealer, now an enterprising and well-to-do farmer, diligently pursuing his occupation in the town of Granby, is a native of Hampshire County, born October 8, 1842, in the town of Pelham. He is a son of the late Ansel Barnes, who was born in Hardwick, Worcester County, and there worked for many years as a machinist. Ansel Barnes removed to Pelham while in the prime of a vigorous manhood, and there carried on general farming until his death on August 12, 1878. He married Deborah Churchill, a native of Cornish Flat, N.H., and they became the parents of eight children, namely: Susan; Lewis, deceased; Lucretia, deceased; Martha, deceased; Louise; Lois, deceased; Dexter R.; and Hosea.

Dexter, who was next to the youngest of the family, acquired a good common-school education in the place of his nativity, and was nineteen years of age when, on August 13, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, under Captain George Bliss, Fifty-second Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. The regiment, commanded by Colonel Greenleaf, was assigned to General Banks’s division; and Mr. Barnes, with his comrades, took part in many of the important battles that followed, being present at Jackson, Miss., Irish Bend, and at the siege of Port Hudson, where Captain Bliss, who was then standing within four feet of him, was fatally shot. He was also in other skirmishes and in the great gunboat expedition. After receiving his discharge at Greenfield, he returned to Pelham, being sick for some six months afterward. Coming to this locality on his recovery, he worked for some time as a farm laborer, but in 1864 went home again, and was there similarly engaged for a year. During the next six months Mr. Barnes owned and operated a saw-mill, being quite successful therein, and then resumed his agricultural labors, continuing about a year, when he embarked in the lumber business. We next hear of him in Holyoke, where he was employed about six months in a sash and blind factory. Once more he returned to the home farm, and while there, on October 17, 1868, was united in marriage with Miss Jennie M. Kellogg, whose parents were Mr. and Mrs. David Kellogg.

After his marriage Mr. Barnes came to the town of Granby, and purchased a farm, which he conducted for six’ months, when he sold it at an advance, and bought another estate, on which he lived a year. Having an advantageous offer, he sold that also, and then removed to the village of Granby, where for three years he was successfully engaged as a dealer in lumber, hay, and straw, finally relinquishing the business to take possession of the farm he now owns and occupies. He has a snug property of thirty-five acres, which he carefully tills, the improvements that he has made being of a most excellent character. Politically, Mr. Barnes is a strong advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and is earnestly interested in the welfare and advancement of his adopted town. He has served with ability in many of the local offices, having been Constable several years, Selectman two years, a Tax Collector, and at the time the State road was built a Road Commissioner. At present he is serving as cattle inspector for the town of Granby. Socially, he belongs to the E. J. Griggs Post, No. 97, Grand Army of the Republic, and also to the Granby Grange, of which he is Overseer.

The family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Barnes has been enlarged by the birth of six children, as follows: Nellie, who died in infancy; Agnes; Henry; Addie; Chester, who lived but twelve years; and Forest, whose life on earth was but brief. In his religious views Mr. Barnes is quite liberal, and Mrs. Barnes is a conscientious and esteemed member of the Congregational church.

A portrait* of this active and influential citizen of Granby is here given.

*Editor's note: Portrait was included in the original printed book.