ADAM BARNHART.

ADAM BARNHART, who is engaged in general farming and stock raising in Iola township, has resided at his present home for twenty years, having taken up his abode on his farm February 6, 1880. He was born in Brady's Bend township, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, April 30, 1839, and is a son of John Barnhart, who was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and died October 31, 1887. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Barnhart, was a native of Easton, Pennsylvania, and his grandfather was a native of Germany, whence he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, becoming the founder of the family in America. Jacob Barnhart followed farming in the eastern part of the Keystone state, and was a member of the American army during the war of 1812. His son, John Barnhart, carried on farming and carpentering. He was a man of strong convictions, active and influential in his community, and for a number of years served as a member of the state militia. In politics he was always a stalwart Republican, and was a faithful member of the German Reformed church, taking an active part in its work and upbuilding. He married Susan Helper, who was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, in 1811 and died in 1877. Her father, Jacob Helper, was also of German lineage. Her brothers were Adam, Emanuel, Abraham, Jacob and David, all of whom were married and left families. Her sisters were Mrs. William Armstrong, Mrs. John Switzer and Mrs. George Roy. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Barnhart were Jacob C., a resident of Clarion county, Penn-

sylvania; Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Dowans, of Richmond, Kansas; Hannah, wife of Joseph Foringer, of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, Louis, who died in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, in 1899; Isaac, who was a member of Company B, One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Infantry during the Civil war, and is now a resident of Armstrong county; Joseph, also of that county; Rachel, wife of Harvey Peck, of Champlain, Vermont; and Susanna, twin sister of Rachel and wife of Thomas Shook, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Catherine, wife of Thomas Roads, of Ohio, and Sarah, wife of William Eynon, of Kaylor, Pennsylvania.

Adam Barnhart began earning his own livelihood by working in the coal and iron mines of Pennsylvania. He entered upon this industry in 1858 without capital, but was successful and soon took contract work at tunneling and mining, continuing in that line of business until 1879. In 1876 he came to Kansas, visiting Allen and Woodson counties for the purpose of selecting a favorable location. However, he returned to Pennsylvania, where he continued through the three succeeding years, spending the last year there in leasing coal and oil rights. In 1879 he located in Iola township, Allen county, where he has since engaged in farming and in raising cattle and hogs. He has been very successful, and as his financial resources have increased, he has added to his property until he now owns five hundred and sixty-five acres of valuable land in Allen and Woodson counties.

On the 4th of August, 1859, Mr. Barnhart was united in marriage to Catherine J. Shook; a daughter of Peter Shook, whose family were early settlers of Allegheny county, and were of German descent. In his family were Thomas, Jacob, John, Barbara and Ellen, all of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Barnhart. To our subject and his wife have been born eight children: Arabella, who became the wife of William B. McKinney, and died June 28, 1900; Lomond C. and Walter L., who reside in Polk county, Oregon; Sinas C., of Woodson county, Kansas; Ida M., Emma E., John A. and L. Edward, who reside at home. Mr. Barnhart is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having joined the organization in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in 1864. He cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and has never failed to support each presidential candidate of the Republican party since that time. He has never sought office as a reward for his labors, content to devote his time to his business. Since 1881 he has been a member of the Presbyterian church at Liberty. As a citizen he is public spirited and progressive, withholding his co-operation from no movement for the public good. He eminently deserves classification among the self-made men who have distinguished themselves for their ability to master the opposing forces of life and wrest from fate a large measure of success and an honorable name.

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