Lewis County, West Virginia Biography: Leonidas H. BARNETT ************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: Material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor. Submitted by Valerie Crook, , April 1999 ************************************************************************** The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 133 LEONIDAS H. BARNETT, one of West Virginia's well known attorneys, laid the foundation of his professional success at Glenville, where he practiced for a quarter of a century. He now lives at Weston, and still does a large business in the courts of the county and state. Mr. Barnett was born in Doddridge County, May 5, 1868, son of Rev. Allison and Mary C. (Hickman) Barnett. His father was born in Taylor County and was an ordained minister of the Baptist Church. After his marriage he settled on a farm in Doddridge County, and his regular vocation was agriculture, though he had other interests out- side of farm and church. He held the office of justice of the peace in Doddridge County, and at one time was presi- dent of the County Court. His wife was born at Warm Springs, Bath County, Virginia, in 1834, and was four years of age when her parents moved to Doddridge County, West Virginia, where she was reared and educated. She is still living at the old homestead. Allison and Mary C. Barnett had a family of fourteen children, and seven sons and four daughters are still living. Leonidas H. Barnett spent his early life on the farm and had a common school education, but after that he learned to rely on himself for his advancement in school, profession and business. He owes much to the influence of his noble Christian parents, and the lessons he learned as a boy he has practiced steadily in all his years. Mr. Bar- nett graduated in law from West Virginia University in Morgantown in June, 1895, was admitted to the bar in the same year and located at Glenville in Gilmer County, where he maintained his law offices until May, 1920, at which date he removed to Weston. He served twelve years as prosecut- ing attorney for Gilmer County, and for two terms was mayor of Glenville. His reputation as a lawyer followed him to Weston, and he still represents a large and im- portant clientage. Mr. Barnett has also accumulated con- siderable property, chiefly in the form of real estate in- vestments. He married Maud Coplin. His only child is Muriel M., born September 21, 1898. She is a graduate of the State Normal School at Glenville and is an accomplished musician, both vocal and instrumental. She received a thorough musical education, and is popular and in great demand at musicals and concerts, ranking with the best and celebrated artists in this section. On August 3, 1920, she became the wife of Lynn L. Allen. Mr. and Mrs. Allen live in Clarks- burg, where he is a civil and mining engineer. Mr. Barnett is a past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, has sat in the Grand Lodge, and in politics is a democrat.