Jefferson D. Barnett

As printed in 1910

JEFFERSON DAVIS BARNETT.

Why is the farm a better place for the rearing of children than the city? Why is the farmer boy usually more certain of success than the city boy, in spite of the supposed advantages of the latter. There are several reasons. Pure air, wholesome food, plenty of exercise, sufficient sleep, comparative freedom from temptation, — these give him a physical endurance which enables him to outlast any man who has not had this training and gives to him a healthy mind. Then in his schools, though neither the equipment is equal to that of the city schools nor the teachers of equal ability, still he learns by relying upon himself and self-reliance is perhaps the greatest secret of success.

Jefiferson Davis Barnett was born in Lafayette county, Missouri, March 31, 1861, the son of A. D. and Mary M. (Burney) Barnett. A. D. was the son of James, a native of Kentucky, and came to this county in 1835 and became the owner of seven hundred acres of land here. He died in 1878, his wife in 1904. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Mr. Barnett was a Democrat of the old school, firm in his convictions.

Jefferson D. Barnett was one of fourteen children. When his father died, he, at the age of nineteen, took full charge of the farm and managed it with much ability. At the present time he is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres.

Mr. Barnett entered into matrimony with Anna Rose on January 23, 1883. She was the daughter of W. W. and Frances (Allen) Rose who early came from Kentucky and settled in Johnson county, Missouri.

Mr. Rose died in 1905, his wife in 1877. The Baptist church and the Republican party claimed his allegiance.

Mr. and Mrs. Barnett are the parents of two living children, James A. and Alfred D., both at home. Three of their children died in infancy. They are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Barnett is a Democrat, and a member of the Modern Woodmen. His farming has been general in character and has paid him well. The same ability and skill which he displayed when called upon to manage a large farm when a mere boy has never left him, and to it his prosperity may be attributed. He firmly believes in the advantages of country life, and in his own surroundings has proof that it can be made comfortable, while his life and character are in witness of the wholesomeness of its mental and moral atmosphere.

As printed in Young's history of Lafayette County, Missouri (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.