Charles E. Barnard, who is meeting with success in his undertakings as a farmer, his home being a beautiful and commodious residence which stands in the midst of a finely cultivated tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres in Granville township about two miles east of the village of Granville, was born on a farm near Peru, Vermont, September 28, 1822. He has therefore long since passed the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten, but possesses the vigor and energy of a man of much younger years and in spirit and interest seems yet in his prime. His parents were Benjamin and Hepson (Filbrook) Barnard natives of Massachusetts. After their marriage they removed to the Green Mountain state, where the father purchased a farm, upon which he and his wife spent their remaining days, the former passing away at the age of eighty-one years, while Mrs. Barnard died at the advanced age of ninety years.
Charles E. Barnard of this review is the only survivor of a family of nine children and is the only one who ever came to Illinois. In his youth he remained upon the old homestead and later he cared for his parents until their death, operating the old homestead farm in Vermont. He was married in that state to Miss Harriet Holton, -who was born in Vermont in October, 1824, and thus for many years they have traveled life's journey together, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity.
Eight children had been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Barnard when in 1865 they left their old home in New England and came to Putnam county, Illinois, where Mr. Barnard purchased a tract of land north of Granville. He there lived for two years, after which he sold that property and purchased one hundred and sixty acres, where he now resides about two miles east of Granville. This was an improved farm but he has since made many changes and it is now equipped with all the accessories and evidences of progress along agricultural lines. In addition to the large and beautiful residence which is standing in its midst there are good barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, together with the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barnard have been born nine children, of whom seven are living: Mary, now the wife of George Dunn, of Nebraska; Anna, the wife of William Bowers, of Kentucky; Ella, the wife of A. J. Robson, of Granville; Fred, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Frank, who is living upon a farm adjoining his father's place; Hattie, the wife of E. B. Coulter, a resident of Iowa; John, of Omaha, Nebraska; James, of Hennepin township ; and Harriet, who died at the age of four years. Mr. Barnard has given his children excellent educational privileges and has assisted his sons in purchasing farms.
From the age of fourteen years he has been a church member and is now identified with the Congregational church in Granville. He is an independent republican, voting for the men whom he thinks best qualified for office at local elections nor has he ever aspired to political honors or emoluments for himself. He has lived an upright life characterized by activity and diligence in business, by honor in his relations with his fellowmen and by fidelity to a high standard of conduct, and now in the evening of life he receives the respect and veneration of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
Source: Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties Illinois authored by John Spencer Burt and W. E. Hawthorne in 1907, page 412.
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