Читать книгу History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 3 - Группа авторов - Страница 32

The honored subject of this memoir was for a long term of years one of the prominent and most respected citizens of Yonkers, with whose upbuilding and material prosperity he was closely identified, while in all that conserves the uplifting of men into the plane of right living he was ever to be found zealous and earnest in doing good to all, ever mindful of the lofty principles expressed in the Golden Rule. He lived to attain the venerable age of eighty-one years, passing to his reward at the close of a well spent life, secure in the lasting esteem and veneration of those who had come within the influence of his pure and unassuming character.

Reuben Barnes was born in Preston, near Norwich, Connecticut, on the 8th of July, 1810, being one of eleven children. When twenty-two years of age he went to Mobile, Alabama, where for about twelve years, as architect. and builder, he was engaged in business with his brother, James Barnes. There also he made the acquaintance of Miss Mary Hodge, of North Adams, Massachusetts, to whom he was married in 1837. In 1884 he returned to the north, locating in Poughkeepsie, New York. While there he erected' many buildings, among the more important of which was the Cannon Street Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was an active and efficient member.

In the year 1852 Mr. Barnes removed to Yonkers, where for nearly forty years he was actively and prominently concerned in manufacturing and building. He was animated by the staunchest integrity in thought, word and deed, and upon his business career as well as his private life there rested no shadow of wrong. He was called upon to mourn the loss of his devoted wife in the spring of 1881. She was born in North Adams, Massachusetts, whence her parents eventually removed to Michigan, becoming pioneers of Jackson county, that state, where all the other children of the family also located, becoming prominent and substantial citizens. Of the large family of brothers and sisters only one is now surviving, Mrs. Sarah A. Baker, widow of Dr. Timothy Baker, of Union City, Michigan. At the time of Mrs. Barnes' death three of her children were surviving, namely: Martha, the wife of James B. Odell, of Yonkers; Hiram Barnes, an architect and builder of Yonkers; and Mary, who is unmarried. Of these Mrs. Odfell died on the 21st of June, 1894.

In the fall of 1882 Mr. Barnes consummated a second marriage, being then united to Miss Nancy Sample, of Norwich, Connecticut, who survives him. In June, 1891, Mr. and Mrs. Barnes visited Norwich and Preston, Connecticut, and while in his native place the subject of this memoir was taken ill and at once returned to his home, 188 Buena Vista avenue, Yonkers, where on July 28, 1891, he was compelled to yield to the inexorable summons of death, passing away in the fullness of years and honors. His mortal remains were interred in St. John's cemetery. While in Mobile Mr. Barnes was soundly converted, and thereafter lived an earnest, consistent Christian life. He was a man of deep convictions and was endowed with a courage sufficient to express them, but his entire life was a beautiful lesson of charity and good will to all. For many years he was an active and official member of the first Methodist Episcopal church of Yonkers, and when the Central Methodist church was organized he became an earnest and zealous member and supporter of the same, being at one time president of the board of trustees. There are many in Yonkers who will ever revert with deep respect and affection to this noble and kindly pioneer, whose life was one worthy of emulation.