BIOGRAPHY: Barnhart, Warren
From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875

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WARREN BARNHART is editor and proprietor of the Independence Conservative, 
one of the oldest and best established papers west of the Mississippi, and the organ of 
the Democratic party in Buchanan County.  This paper is the direct continuation of the 
Independence Civilian, which made its appearance more than twenty years ago, being 
established May 17, 1855, by B. F. Parker and James Hilleary, who continued it in a very 
creditable manner, until February, 1857, when they sold to S. S. Allen, who shortly after 
disposed of a half interest to G. W. Barnhart and J. S. Cornwell.  After a few months 
Barnhart sold and west West, leaving the firm Allen & Cornwell who jointly conducted the 
paper until March, 1858, when Barnhart  returned and purchased Cornwell's interest, the 
firm became Allen & Barnhart.  It remained under the management of these gentlemen 
until the Spring of 1869 [sic] when they sold to Cornelius Hedges, in whose hands it 
remained until August, 1860, when it became the property of the well known newspaper 
firm of Barnhart Bros., who successfully run it, greatly increasing its patronage and 
income, until July 1863, when on account of some dissatisfaction in the party they sold to 
the Buchanan County Democratic Association, who continued its publication for about 
one year under the able editorial management of Hon. Oliver H. P. Roszell.  In the Spring 
of 1864, the material was again purchased by the Barnhart Bros., who, changing the 
name, issued the first number of the Independence Conservative.   This firm then 
continued its publication making several additions and improvements until the Spring of 
1872, when W. Barnhart, the present proprietor, purchased the interest of his brothers, 
came to Independence and took personal charge of the office, making it in all its 
appointments a first-class weekly newspaper.
In May, 1874, the office was entirely destroyed in the memorable fire of that year, 
but Mr. Barnhart, with his usual enterprise and business tact, immediately started for 
Chicago, purchased a new office, and had it running again in a short time.  The 
Conservative is a six column quarto, neatly printed, and managed with a good degree 
of business and editorial ability.  It is purely a local paper, advocating the interests of 
Independence and Buchanan County, before any and all other interests.  Although 
Democratic in politics, it is not intensely or bitterly partisan, but handles the questions of 
the day in such a manner as not to offend its readers, though they may hold different 
political opinions.  It has a steady and increasing patronage, receiving a liberal support 
from the business men of the county.