One by one the pioneers of this section of country are passing away, among our good old mothers as well as with our fathers, but this time we are called upon to chronicle the passing of one of our pioneer fathers, Mr. Oliver P. Barnes of Asotin, whose earthly existence came to an end last Saturday morning, at about one o’clock a.m. Mr. Barnes has not been a well man for close to four years, but for the last year and a half, he has been a constant sufferer from Bright’s disease, and for weeks before the end came, it was recognized by his people that there were no hopes of him ever being any better.
The funeral was held at the residence of his son in law, W. R. Day, Sunday afternoon, being conducted by Elder Tyler of the Christian church, with prayer by Rev. James Marrav of the Presbyterian church, and interment was made in the Asotin Cemetery.
Oliver P. Barnes was born in Johnson County, Indiana, Nov. 21, 1833, and died in Asotin, Washington, January 9, 1909 – making him 75 years, one month and 18 days of age.
At the age of twelve years he moved with his parents to Illinois, where he made his home for seven years and in 1852 started westward again locating in Mercer County, Missouri. On June 16, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Manourva Kilgore and from this union there were nine children born, four sons and five daughters – two sons being dead.
Besides the widow who survives, the living children are: WA Barnes, Durkee, Oregon; HP Barnes, Asotin, Wash; Mrs. JW Sills, Cove, Oregon; Mrs. JW Fisher, Paradise, Oregon; Mrs. Herbert Achurch, Lostine, Oregon; Mrs. WR Day and Mrs. CC Day of Asotin, Wash.
The subject of this sketch left Missouri in May, 1863, and started across the plains. He was bound for the west but had no particular idea where he would stop, more than that he was headed for Oregon, and when he struck the Grand Ronde valley, in Eastern Oregon, on September 20th, of the same year, he called a halt to his traveling and located. He lived in the beautiful Grand Ronde valley for twenty-seven years, and then in 1889 moved to Paradise, Oregon, where he continued his residence until 1905, when he moved to Asotin.
By trade, Mr. Barnes was a bridge builder, but had followed farming a great deal; and prior to moving to Paradise, Oregon, conducted for a time the stage station and hotel at Red Fir. The deceased became a member of the Christian church at the age of twenty-three years, and continued as such throughout his life. Mr. Barnes had lived more than the allotted time to man, and at all times had maintained the confidence and respect of all men with whom he ever had dealings.
Mrs. Barnes and children desire to here thank the friends and neighbors for the kindness and consideration shown then during the trying ordeal through which they have just passed.
Contributed by: Tami Sherrill