Biography - John Barnwell
JOHN C. BARNWELL, a resident of Simpson Township, Johnson County, was born in Orange County, N. C., February 21, 1829. He is a son of William and Nancy (Martin) Barnwell, who were natives of North Carolina and Virginia respectively. William Barn well, after his marriage in North Carolina, and after farming for some time, removed to Tennessee and followed farming there five years. He then sold out and came, to Illinois, locating in Johnson County, where he has since resided. The trip from Tennessee here occupied a week’s time. He crossed the Ohio River at Metropolis on a flatboat just large enough to carry one wagon at a time, and purchased land in Simpson Township, where he resided until his death, which occurred in October, 1866. He filled the office of Associate Justice and County Commissioner some time, discharging his duties faithfully and satisfactorily in that line. John C. Barnwell remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age, when he was married, February 21, 1850, the twenty first anniversary of his birth, to Nancy J. Roberts, whose parents were natives of Kentucky, the father dying in his native State and the mother passing away in Illinois. John C. Barnwell first took up Government land, and afterward purchased land in Simpson Township, where he now resides. He at one time owned two hundred and eighty acres of land, but has sold off portions of it until now he only owns one hundred and fourteen acres. He has been a member 0f the School Board for a number of years, and has been instrumental in advancing education. He enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Twentieth Illinois Infantry, August 12, 1862, and was discharged September 10, 1865, having participated in the battle of Milliken’s Bend, La., in the siege of Vicksburg and at Hudsonville, Miss. He has eleven children living: William Henry, Josiah W., Francis M., John W., Eliza A., George W., Thomas C., Rebecca, Charlie G., Nancy J. and Adolphus. Our subject is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and in politics has always been a warm supporter of the Republican principles and platform. He is well known in this community and has done much to assist in the upward progress of Simpson Township.
Extracted 15 Sep 2009 by Vera Burnham from 1893 Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, pages 449-450
