Biography of Harry D. Karnes - McDowell Co. VA The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume II, pg. 523-524 HARRY D. KARNES has served efficiently as Mercer County clerk of the Circuit Court since 1914, he having been re- elected to this office by a gratifying majority, in November, 1920. He was born near Spanishburg, this county, Febru- ary 25, 1875, and is a son of Russell Floyd Karnes and Sarah Elizabeth (Thompson) Karnes, the former of whom was born in Summers County, this state, and the latter in Tazewell County; Virginia. Russell P. Karnes was born February 25, 1845, and his death occurred on the 6th of July, 1921, his wife having passed away February 14, 1812, at the age of sixty-two years. All of the married life of the parents was passed on their homestead farm. on Blue- stone River, Mercer County. Russell F. Karnes was one of the first republicans in Mercer County, and though he had no ambition for public office, he served one term as deputy sheriff of the county. He was a member of the Baptist Church and his wife held membership in the Methodist .Episcopal Church, South. The Karnes family was early settled at Salem, Virginia, whence the original representa- tives in the present State of West Virginia came and settled in Summers County, removal to Mercer County having been made about the year 1845. Russell F. Karnes was a loyal soldier of the Confederacy in the Civil war. He became the father of three children, of whom the eldest, Opie O., is serving as justice of the peace at Princeton; Harry D. of this sketch is the second of the number; and William A. is a farmer near Spanishburg, this county. After having attended Princeton Academy, in his present home city Harry D. Karnes entered Emory & Henry College, Virginia, in which he was graduated in 1900, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He had taught two schools in Mercer County to aid in defraying the expenses of his college course, and between college semesters he likewise taught school two terms. After his graduation he became in- structor in mathematics and science at the Concord Normal School, Athens, West Virginia, and among those who at- tended his classes are many who are now prominent busi- ness and professional men. In 1904 Mr. Karnes established his residence at Prince- ton, where he purchased an insurance agency and developed a large business as a life, fire and accident underwriter. This enterprise, conducted under the title of the People's Insurance Agency, is now one of the foremost in the city. Mr. Karnes in his early youth was determined to obtain a liberal education, and he is equally insistent at the present time in giving to his children the best possible educational advantages. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, including the Commandery of Knights Templars at Bramwell and the Temple of the Mystic Shrine in the City of Charleston. He is a member also of the Knights of Pythias and of the Mercer County Country Club. On the 18th of June, 1902, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Karnes and Miss Sallie E. Dangerfield, who was born and reared in Mercer County, a daughter of R. C. Danger- field. Mr. and Mrs. Karnes have five children: Elizabeth, Virginia, Margaret, Richard and Francis. Submitted by Valerie F. Crook **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************