Peter M. Barness Biography

	This biography was extracted from "History of Dakota Territory", 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V pages 38-39

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				PETER M. BARNESS.

	Peter M. Barness, who owns a splendid farm of four hundred acres on 
section 33, Lincoln township, Spink county, is a native of South Dakota and was 
born on the old homestead which is now in possession of his mother, Mrs. 
Christina Barness. His father, Martin P. Barness, has passed away.  The birth of 
Peter M. Barness; occurred March 18, 1883, and he was reared under the parental 
roof, gaining much valuable knowledge by assisting with the work of the farm.  
At the usual age lie entered the public schools of Lincoln township and 
continued his studies until eighteen years of age.  For four years he gave his 
parents the benefit of his labors and then worked at carpentering for one year, 
At the end of that time he again turned his attention to farming and has since 
followed that occupation.  He is now operating four hundred acres of land, and 
is carrying on mixed farming, as he finds the raising of both grain and stock 
profitable. He keeps about twenty horses, eighteen cattle, and sixty hogs, in 
addition to several hundred chickens.  He is alert, enterprising and industrious 
and is already accounted one of the well-to-do farmers of his locality.

	Mr. Barness was married in the fall of 1905 in Mica, Washington, to Miss 
Margery McGaffin, a daughter of George and Eliza (Copeland) MeGaffin, both of 
whom were born at Belfast, Ireland, but now reside at Niagara, North Dakota.  
They settled in Minnesota on emigrating to the new world but removed to Lincoln 
township, Spink county, in the early '80s.  In 1904 they went to Washington but 
returned to North Dakota in 1907.  Mrs. Barness is a native of the township in 
which she now makes her home. To Mr. and Mrs. Barness have been born two 
children: Eleanor M. and Milton G. Mr. Barness is independent in politics, 
casting his vote for those men and measures that he deems most likely to advance 
the community's interest. He is a son of a pioneer family and manifests the same 
courage and determination that characterized the early settlers of this state, 
and many movements for the general good have profited by his advice and 
cooperation.