Person:Benjamin Barnes (24)

There is considerable evidence that points to Frank D. Barnes (1861-1936) actually being Benjamin "Ben" F. Barnes. Death certificate information lists that Frank D. Barnes was the son of Armstead Barnes of Meade County, Kentucky. Frank told his son Eugene Lovelace Barnes that he was born after his father's death. Frank's death certificate lists his date of birth as August 3, 1861 in Meade County, Kentucky.

Frank also told his son Eugene that he was the youngest of 13 children (5 boys, 8 girls) and that 2 of his brothers served in the Civil War. Frank's occupations in Texas included piano tuner and operator of a domino parlor.

Benjamin F. Barnes was born on August 3, 1855 in Meade County, Kentucky, the son of A & E Barnes. (Meade County, Kentucky Births, 1855.) Benjamin was born after his father's death in December 1854.

Benjamin F. Barnes was the youngest of 12 children (5 boys, 7 girls) of Armstead Barnes and Elizabeth Dowell of Meade County, Kentucky. Two of Ben's brothers served in the Civil War.

Ben's occupations included piano tuner and operator of a billiard parlor. (City Directory, Newton, Harvey County, Kansas.)

Note that the Armstead Barnes listed in Meade County, Kentucky in the 1850 Census is the only person listed by that name in the entire state of Kentucky in that census.

I was interested in looking for Ben F. Barnes who family members said hadn't been heard from since he left aunt Barb's (his sister Barbara Barnes Riddle) in Texas in 1895.

Further notes are from Charles L. Barnes (1892-1980), son of Armstead L. Barnes (1843-1923) who was an older brother of Ben; "Now with reference to Uncle Ben and his wife I don't remember of ever seeing Uncle Ben and his wife, heard my father and mother talk of them. (Did in later years know Frank and Clarence their sons especially Clarence.) From what I remember hearing my folks say it seems that Uncle Ben and I am not sure of his wife's name (Lissa probably right) did not get along at all and I have heard some very bad talk about the boys mother, how true I don't know--As I remember Uncle Ben just left her and I understand probably went to Texas, and as far as I ever heard no one ever knew what happened to him or when or where he might have died. My folks always did what they could for Frank and Clarence. If Frank and Clarence and their mother ever lived at Fort Scott I never heard of it, and I am sure no one has record of Uncle Ben in Wichita. I have heard my folks talk of how well Frank and Clarence turned out regardless of the chance they had." (Charles L. Barnes, 1892-1980, Oswego, Kansas.)

In the September 1929 newspaper obituary of Ben Barnes's wife, Melissa, it states that she was the widow of Ben F. Barnes yet doesn't mention when or where he died. However, locally there is no record of his death in records such as: Recorded Deaths of Reno County, Ks. 1894-1900 Book 2, 1901-1911 Book 3; Reno County Kansas Cemetery Records; Register of Funerals Reno County, Ks. 1901-1910, and Index to Reno County Kansas Death Records 1890 - June 30, 1911.

In October 2001, I (Larry E. Barnes) was having breakfast with Bud Roberts in a Brandenburg, Meade County, Kentucky restaurant. I was visiting that area specifically for family history research. In a chance encounter there in the restaurant, a person who Bud spoke to and seemed to know said she knew of someone who was a descendant of Armstead Barnes. The person's name she gave me was Jeanne (Barnes) Ellis of Schuyler, Virginia. I don't happen to remember the lady's name that gave me Jeanne's address. I had no idea of the discovery that was to follow.

In 2002, after looking at the information, Jeanne Barnes Ellis, daughter of Eugene Lovelace Barnes (1916-1995) and granddaughter of Frank D. Barnes who died in Plainview, Texas in 1936, stated that she felt that her grandfather and Ben F. Barnes were the same person.

As I told Jeanne Ellis, my intention was to find out what happened to Ben F. Barnes, not to judge him for things that he may have done that were not proper. We are all flawed people, and make mistakes every day. Sometimes, of course, we can make very bad decisions. We can all look at these events, draw our own conclusions and make our own judgments.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} Find A Grave.

   Frank D. Barnes