Biographical Sketch of Hon. Isaac D. BARNARD (1893); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris . *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Source: "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsylvania, comprising a historical sketch of the county," by Samuel T. Wiley and edited by Winfield Scott Garner, Gresham Publishing Company, Philadelphia, PA, 1893, page 204. "HON. ISAAC D. BARNARD, United States senator from 1827 to 1831, and the most distinguished of his name, was born in 1791 at West Chester, where he died February 18, 1834. The Barnard family takes its name from Roche-Bernard, of Normandy, France, in which country Barnard has been a baptismal name since the eighth century, having been derived from northern mythology, signifying bold- ness. Richard Barnard, the great-grandfather of Senator Barnard, came to Chester county prior to 1686. Many of his descendants have been active and prominent in civil, political and military affairs. "Isaac D. Barnard received a good education, was admitted to the bar May 1, 1816, and practiced his profession for many years. He served with great bravery and distinction at Plattsburg and Lyon Creek in the war of 1812, and was promoted from captain to major for meritorious service. Leaving the army he served successively as district attorney, State senator and secretary of the Commonwealth. He was elected to the United States senate in 1827, but resigned in 1831 on account of ill health, while the New York papers were demanding for him a seat in the cabinet. He served as a major-general of militia, declined the judgeship of Chester county, and was barely defeated for the nomination for governor in 1829 by a slight but jealous defection in his own county. Isaac D. Barnard, by his courage, boldness and dauntless character was always popular with the people whose interests he ever protected and defended."