Biographies
SAMUEL BARNETT, deceased. This well-known gentleman was born in Hanover, Dauphin Co., Penn., Sept, 30, 1790, and, at the age of 16, was left an orphan; had to struggle with adversity for many years, but finally, by dint of energy and honesty of purpose, he surmounted every obstacle to substantial success. He came to Ohio in 1817, settling in Warren County, residing in that and Butler Counties until 1841, when he came to Springfield, where he and his brother James, who had preceded him several years, erected a large flouring-mill, which was at that time the largest industrial enterprise of which Springfield could boast. He continued his milling business until 1859, then selling out to his son William A. Barnett and William Warder, retired from business. He was married, at West Hanover, Penn., Aug.27, 1815, to Mary Mitchell, by the Rev. James Sharon, Pastor of Derry Church. She was born in West Hanover Jan. 16, 1790, and had born to her ten children, viz., James, Susannah W. (deceased), David M. (deceased), Mary, William A., Levi, Nancy A., Sarah, George W. and Samuel. Mrs. Barnett died May 17, 1851, and her husband May 10, 1869, full of honorable years. Samuel Barnett was a humble and devoted Christian, and warmly attached to the United Presbyterian Church, of which he was an active and useful member; he lived to see all his children married, and all with sons-in-law and daughters-in-law members of his own church, with the exception of two, who are connected with another denomination. James, his eldest son, a graduate of Miami University, is a minister, and was sent in 1844 as a missionary to Damascus, Syria, and Cairo, Egypt, where he resided many years in establishing the now flourishing United Presbyterian Mission of the latter place, being in the foreign mission service thirty years and now residing in Emporia, Kan. Mary married Dr. Joseph G. Paulding, and they accompanied James as missionaries to Damascus, where they resided eleven years. Mr. Barnett was a man of great personality, a vigorous character, of undeviating integrity; in personal appearance, tall, raw-boned, commanding, yet amiable, a man universally trusted and respected, whose counsels were sought, and whose friendship was esteemed a privilege to enjoy.
From History of Clark County, Ohio, W.H. Beers & Co. 1881. Page 786-787