Biographies
WILLIAM A. BARNETT, miller, Springfield. Mr. William A. Barnett was born Oct 8, 1822, in Butler Co., Ohio, and passed the early part of his life in Butler and Warren Counties until 1841, when he came with his father, Samuel Barnett, to Springfield. The family are now much scattered, some living in Illinois, some in Kansas and elsewhere. William A. went to Miami University in early life; was in his father's mill from August, 1845, to July 1, 1859, when he and William Warder (of the Warder family so prominent here), bought the property and business from Mr. Samuel Barnett, and have been carrying on the business under the name and style of Warder & Barnett, with gratifying success for twenty-one years, making thirty-five years in all of one business in one spot — a rare example of continuity of purpose and effort. On Dec 18, 1855, he was married to Miss S. Belle Grove, of Chambersburg, Penn; of their children, Annie S., Ella M. and a son are living, and they lost a son at 3 months of age. Their daughter Ella has recently married the Rev. Joseph Kyle, Pastor of the United Presbyterian Church of this city, of which Mr. Barnett's family are members. For full history of the Warder & Barnett milling inter-est reference is made to the industrial branch of this history. Mr. Barnett mentions a curious fact that in his daily walks to and from his residence during his business life here, he has traversed on Limestone street alone over twenty-five thousand miles, or more than the whole circumference of the globe. He is one of those straightforward true men, the same today, tomorrow and always, and one whom all respect and honor: a man upon whom one can depend to the full extent of all he promises.
From History of Clark County, Ohio, W.H. Beers & Co. 1881. Page 787