M. B. Barnhart Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1322-1323 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	M. B. BARNHART, who is successfully established in the livery 
business in Salem, McCook county, was born in Ohio, on the 20th of 
August, 1849, being a son of A. H. and Editha (Spaulding) Barnhart. The 
former was a native of the state of New York, whence he removed to Ohio 
with his parents when he was a child, being there reared to the life of 
the farm and securing a common-school education. He was married in Ohio 
and removed with his parents to Minnesota, where he engaged in farming 
and also in the practice of veterinary surgery, in which he was 
proficient. He was a Republican in politics and both he and his wife 
were members of the Adventist church. The father of our subject was a 
valiant soldier in the war of the Rebellion, having been a member of 
Company B, Second Minnesota Volunteer Cavalry. He died in Freeborn 
county, Minnesota, in 1872, and his wife passed away in 1889. They 
became the parents of eleven children, of whom eight are living, all 
being now resident of South Dakota. 

	The subject of this sketch was reared to the sturdy discipline of 
the farm, and secured his early educational training in the common 
schools of the state of Minnesota. In Freeborn county, Minnesota, in 
1871, he married Miss Sarah Padgett, daughter of John Padgett, of 
English extraction, and of this union five children have been born: 
Edith, who died at the age of twenty-two years; and Elmer, Lynn, 
Herbert and Cassius, who remain at the parental home. Mr. Barnhart 
continued to be engaged in farming in Freeborn county, Minnesota, until 
1880, when he came to South Dakota and took up a homestead claim in 
McCook county, here developing a valuable farm, upon which he continued 
to reside until 1893, when he removed to the village of Salem, where he 
was soon afterward elected town marshal, in which capacity he served 
nine years and seven months. Later he served for one year as deputy 
sheriff of the county. After retiring from the office of marshal he 
established himself in the livery business, in 1901, having a good barn 
and an excellent equipment throughout and he has built up an excellent 
business, giving the best of service and sparing no pains to meet the 
demands of his patrons. He is a Republican in his political 
proclivities, is identified with Salem Lodge, No. 28, Ancient Order of 
United Workmen, and both he and his wife are valued members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. He is the owner of an attractive residence 
in Salem and also of other realty in the town, and he has attained 
success through his own efforts and by honest and earnest endeavor, ever 
retaining the confidence and esteem of all who know him.