History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties

"History of Lincoln, Oneida, and Vilas Counties Wisconsin"

Compiled by George O.Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others. Printed in 1924 by H.C.Cooper. Jr. & Co., Minneapoli-Winona MN. ill. 787 pages. The first two hundred pages are history of the three counties, the remainder of the book is biographies.

Biography

Barnes, John, American jurist, born at Manitowoc, Wisconsin July 26, 1859; died, Milwaukee, Jan. 1, 1919; son of John and Mary (BUTLER) BARNES, both of whom were born in Waterford, Kilkenny County, Ireland where they also were married. The elder BARNES was a farmer; his wife was a daughter of William BUTLER and is described as a refined and gentle woman who was exceedingly fond of books. In 1853, shortly after their marriage they moved to Montreal, Canada. From there they moved to Lockport, N. Y., in 1856 and in 1858 they moved to Manitowoc. John BARNES, Jr., attended the country school in Manitowoc County and at the age of 13 entered Manitowoc City High School, from which he was graduated in 1876. He thereafter became a student at Oshkosh Normal School and was graduated in 1878, after which he taught until 1882. He then spent almost a year traveling through the Western States with a school friend who was an invalid. After the death of the latter, Mr. BARNES returned to his native state and entered the Law School of the University of Wisconsin. Upon the completion of his course in 1885, he was admitted to the bar and then entered the office of G. G. SEDGWICK of Manitowoc with whom he was associated for a brief period. On May 1, 1886, Mr. BARNES opened a law office in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, but within the year was chosen municipal judge, a position which he held until 1890 when he declined re-election. Having been a teacher, Mr. BARNES never lost his interest in educational matters. For a number of years he served as president of the School Board of Rhinelander, and he also was president for some time of the Literary Society of this city. For ten years Mr. BARNES was associated in the practice of law with S. H. ALBAN. In 1905 he was chosen a member of the Wisconsin Railway Rate Commission and at the first meeting of that body was selected as its chairman. The acceptance of this position necessitated his removal to Madison, but he felt that it was his duty to give a few of his best years of his life to the service of his State, and he also was anxious that his children should enjoy the educational benefits that close residence to the State University would afford them. Following an incident which fully demonstrated his courage and sense of justice, Mr. BARNES resigned from the Wisconsin Railway Rate Commission August 7, 1907. In 1908 he was elected associate justice of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Chief Justice CASSODAY and in 1909 he was elected for a full term of ten years, beginning January 1, 1910. Six years later Mr. BARNES resigned from the Supreme Court to accept the position of Chief Counsel to the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and took up his new duties March 1, 1916. While a resident of Milwaukee, to which city he moved after forming the connection with the insurance company above referred to, Mr. BARNES was actively indentified with the work of the Free Legal Aid Society and was a member of the board of directors of the Marquette Medical College. On July 26, 1887, Mr. BARNES married at Manitowoc Miss Julia KOELZER, daughter of Peter J. KOELZER, a retired merchant of Manitowoc. Four children were born to them: Mrs. Dorothy BARNES MCGUIRE, of Madison; Mrs. Beatrice BARNES TORMEY, of Madison; Mrs. Fayne BARNES HAYES, of Washington, D.C.; and John BARNES, Jr., of Milwaukee. Mr. BARNES' business interests were large and varied. He was a director of the Rhinelander Paper Company, second vice president of the Central Wisconsin Trust Company of Madison, director of the First National Bank of Rhinelander, also director of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and in addition, was connected with several timber land companies. He liked outdoor life and in his youthful days enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. Later he became a golf enthusiast and he was also fond of horses and horseback riding. He possessed a rare sense of humor and delighted in telling stories. He was a Roman Catholic. He was a member of the following clubs and organizations: Knights of Columbus, Foresters, Madison Club, University Club of Madison, Milwaukee Club, Milwaukee Country Club, Rhinelander Lodge, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Mrs. BARNES resides in Madison.

Transcribed by Susan Swanson, from page 224-225 (with picture); History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties Wisconsin; Compiled by George O. Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others 1924, H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.

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