Orsamus S. Barnes (August 7, 1830 – March 17, 1916) was a Michigan politician.

Orsamus S. Barnes
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the Eaton County 2nd district
In office
January 1, 1879 – December 31, 1880
Preceded byJames J. Gould
Succeeded byDuane Hawkins
Personal details
Born(1830-08-07)August 7, 1830
Broome County, New York
DiedMarch 17, 1916(1916-03-17) (aged 85)
Girard, Kansas
Political partyRepublican
Military service
Allegiance United States Army
Years of service1847–1848
Battles/warsMexican-American War

Early life

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Barnes was born on August 7, 1830, in Broome County, New York. In 1839, he moved to Oberlin, Ohio, due to the breaking up of his father's family.[1] In Ohio, he lived with some siblings and other relatives and attended school for a year. In February 1846, he moved to Wisconsin.[2]

Military career

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On August 16, 1847, Barnes enlisted in the United States Army in Milwaukee to fight in the Mexican–American War. He was a part of the 15th Infantry Regiment. Of the 136 men in his company, he was one of only 26 survivors. He returned to Wisconsin at the end of the war.[1][3]

Career and education

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Barnes lived in Wisconsin for about seven more years. There, he attended common school, taught classes, and worked at wagon shops. In the spring of 1855, Barnes returned to Oberlin, and continued his education there. In 1860, Barnes moved to Lenawee County, Michigan. In 1863, he moved to Eaton County, Michigan. In Michigan, he was a farmer.[1] He held nearly every type of township office, including supervisor and constable.[2] Barnes was a Republican ever since the party formed.[1] On November 5, 1878, Barnes was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, where he represented the Eaton County 2nd district from January 1, 1879, to December 31, 1880.[3]

Personal life

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During his second time in Oberlin, Barnes met Elvira L. Spooner.[1] On February 19, 1857, Barnes and Spooner married in Oberlin. Together they had two children.[3] Barnes was a Church of Christ minister.[1]

Death

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Barnes died on March 17, 1916, in Girard, Kansas.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f State of Michigan (1881). Michigan manual. 1879–80 cop.2. HathiTrust.
  2. ^ a b Michigan Historical Commission (1924). Michigan Biographies: Including Members of Congress, Elective State Officers, Justices of the Supreme Court, Members of the Michigan Legislature, Board of Regents of the University of Michigan, State Board of Agriculture and State Board of Education, Volume 1.
  3. ^ a b c d "Legislator Details - Orsamus S. Barnes". Library of Michigan. Retrieved January 27, 2021.