Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Barnhart, Christian W ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 14, 2008, 12:46 am Author: Past & Present Will County IL 1907 Christian W. Barnhart, who has conducted a barber shop in Wilmington since the 1st of November, 1866, or for a period of more than forty years, is well known not only in business but also in political circles, and at the present writing is serving as assessor. He was born in Rhoboldshausen, Germany, May 5, 1847, and his parents, John and Mary (Brehm) Barnhart, were also natives of the same place. Their marriage was celebrated there but both the father and mother spent their last days in Joliet, where Mr. Barnhart passed away at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife when seventy-five years of age. He came to the United States as a passenger on a sailing vessel in 1848 and located first in New York city, whence he afterward removed to Schnectady, New York, where he engaged in the manufacture of wagons. In 1857 he came to Illinois, settling in Joliet township, Will county, where he turned his attention to farming, spending his remaining days as an agriculturist. In Germany he had been a forester. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church, and in his political views he was independent, voting for the best men regardless of party affiliations. Unto him and his wife were born two sons and two daughters: John, who is married and resides in New York; Catherine, the deceased wife of William Krohmeyer, who was a man of wealth in the quarry business in Joliet and died here; and Mary, who is the widow of Peter Grenawall, who was a contractor of Bloomington. She is now a resident of Oakland, California. Christian W. Barnhart was brought to the United States by his parents in early childhood and for a time was a student in the public schools of New York. When fifteen years of age he began learning the barber's trade in Joliet, and on the 1st of November, 1866, he opened a tonsorial parlor in Wilmington, where he has since engaged in business. In this connection he is widely known and many of his patrons have given him their support year after year through several decades. Moreover, he has been prominent and active in public affairs. He was fire marshal of Wilmington from 1871 until 1889, save for a period of two years, when he was serving as alderman of the town. He was one of the organizers of the Wilmington fire department, and during the time that he was serving as fire marshal he also acted as township collector for one term. He was also postmaster during President Cleveland's last term of office and was township assessor until 1904. In 1906 he was re-elected to the last named office and is the present incumbent. On the 28th of January, 1894, Mr. Barnhart was married to Mrs. Addie Fuller, nee Warner, the wedding being celebrated in Chicago by the Rev. R. A. White. She was the daughter of Hezekiah and Sarah (Nichols) Warner. The father was born in Vermont, and the mother's birth occurred in the state of New York in 1800. She was a daughter of Rev. Jonathan Nichols, who was a physician and minister of the gospel in Pennsylvania. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Warner was celebrated in Pennsylvania, and for a number of years Mr. Warner conducted a hotel and also engaged in merchandising in Caledonia, Elk county, of that state. He came to Illinois in 1846, accompanied by his family, and located at Wilmington. Here he also engaged in the hotel business for a time but later removed to Florence township, where he purchased a farm. Subsequently he again became proprietor of a hotel in Wilmington, where both he and his wife spent their remaining days. He had a wide acquaintance and his many good qualities made him popular with people of the locality and the traveling public as well. He held membership in Wilmington lodge, No. 208, A. P. & A. M. Unto him and his wife were born four sons and four daughters but only two of the family are now living: Hortense, the wife of Oscar Hall, of Joliet; and Mr. Barnhart, who is the youngest of the family. Mr. Barnhart is a member of Wilmington lodge, No. 208, A. P. & A. M.; Wilmington chapter, No. 142, R. A. M.: and Joliet commandery, No. 4, K. T., having been knighted on the twenty-fifth anniversary of his birth. He and his wife are both identified with Wilmington chapter, No. 176. 0. E. S., of which she was matron in 1904- 05. Mr. Barnhart is a member of River camp, No. 124, M. W. A., which he joined on its organization, and he has acted as its clerk since 1899. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and he exercises considerable influence in the local ranks of the party. Additional Comments: PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/barnhart2642nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 5.3 Kb