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Obituary from the The Vandalia
Mail
Vandalia, MO
January 11, 1923:
OLDEST CITIZEN
PASSES
"Uncle" Frank Barnett, Vandalia's oldest citizens died at his home here January 16th (sic) at the age of 91 years, 8 months and 28 days. "Uncle Frank" as he was known
and called by everyone was until his last short illness a familiar figure on the streets. His mind was clear and he
was always ready to join in talk with his many friends. He was one of the oldest men in this country. Below is a
memorial sketch of his life written by himself and the letter written to Ambrose Carroll of Louisiana as to this
sketch.
Vandalia, Mo. (letter in newspaper following the heading comments)
Nov. 13, 1922.
Mr A. S. Carroll,
Louisiana, Mo.
Mr. dear friend Ambrose:-- I am writing you in regard to some conclusions which I have come to and
asking you to comply with requests which I herewith make-- I have for a long time been expecting the end of life to
come to me soon and have been arranging for it to some extent but as time comes and goes I change my
notions some and come to other conclusions. Some months ago it came to my mind that I would be glad for you to help my wife when the
end of life comes to me in conducting my funeral and officiate in the last rites and ceremonies of that occasion.
You, being a life-long friend of mine and knowing of my life as you do, I think you are the most appropriate person
to act in that capacity for me. I am averse to having a preacher to officiate at my funeral on account of the strain
it seems to put on them if the subject does not belong to a church: therefore I feel loath to have one to speak for
me on that occasion-- so, I hereby ask you to accept my request which is to attend my funeral and read to the little
bunch of friends who may be gathered to pay their last respects to me, the enclosed document. I herewith send you a
copy of a memorial written by myself for you to read on the occasion. Look it over so as to be familiar with it when
the time comes to read it. If you see fit, I think the folks would be glad for you to say some thing of my character
as you know it. I will take it as a great favor if you accept my request. Yours truly, (signed) Frank C. Barnett.
A MEMORIAL SKETCH OF FRANCIS COLUMBUS BARNETT
WRITTEN BY HIMSELF
I was born on a little farm three miles west of Ashley, Pike County, Missouri, April 18th, 1831. Being left fatherless before I was six years of age in a new and
wild country, my opportunities for an education were meager, therefore I had to depend on my physical strength of
which I had but a small share for the reasonable success I had in my march thru life. While a number of my time
succeeded better than I in making life worth living, many fell by the way side. I lived at a time when in this new
Missouri, hallucinations and delusions were talked about and believed by nearly all the people. The young minds were
led astray by the absence of a higher education to the extent that many minds to this day are contaminated with the
foolish and unnatural ideals taught them by their forefathers. But I have lived to see a great many of the old
notions and delusions disproved and facts and reason to an extent have taken their places. My aim thru life has been
for
(New (sic) Turn to Page 4, Please)
the good of my family and I have made a point to be at home with them almost continually; enjoying home more than any other condition of life. I lived on the farm where I was born continuously
for fifty-seven years. Then moved to a farm purchased in Audrain County, twelve miles west of my first home and
three miles from Vandalia. Audrain County, Missouri. I managed this farm for eight years, then sold the home part
of it and moved to Vandalia, April 6th, 1896 retiring from hard labor and where I expect to spend the remainder of my
days. Although my life has been a long one, it has been uneventful. I have been a toiler in this great world in
which we live, until old age has disqualified me for labor and when at the end of my task I shall fall asleep. I have
lived for this world, knowing no other; I asked for only what I earned and had the manhood to accept the consequence
of my actions. I had the honor and courage to investigate and to express my honest thoughts. I never witnessed a
miracle or any other supernatural power contrary to the laws of nature. I believe in the sublime, unbroken and
eternal march of cause and affect, and I have tested the past by the now and have judged all men and races by those I
knew. I believe in the religion of free thought and of good deeds, of sincerity and of honest endeavor, and above all
in the religion of love, and liberty: in a religion for everybody and for the world in which we live. I have not
builded my character upon the opinions of others and pity those who have lived a life that cause them to shudder at
the thought of death. I do not ask any reward for goodness, nor do I expect any future punishment for mistakes. When
death comes to me my friends should shed no tears but rejoice that I have lived so long. In nature's course death
must come and in my case the four seasons are complete. Spring could never come again, the measure of my
eyars are full: when the day is done when the work of life is finished, the tired laborer should fall asleep; to outlive
usefulness is a burder: when the old oak is visited in vain by spring, when light and rain no longer thrill, it is
not well to stand helpless, desolate and alone; it is better far to fall where nature safely covers all with woven
mass and creeping vine. I stand on the verge of crumbling time and will again mingle with the dust. My friends may
say "farewell to thee, thy brain is still and thy heart hath ceased to beat; you were our friend and we pay this
tribute to your honor. Farewell." Francis C. Barnett. Written October 4, 1911.
Obituary from The Bowling Green Times
OBITUARY PG. 2
FRANK COLUMBUS BARNETT
Frank Columbus Barnett was born near Bowling Green in Pike County Missouri April 18th, 1831. Died at his home in Vandalia January 16, 1923; aged 91
years, 8 months and 28 days. He was married to Margaret M. Barnett December 13, 1854. To this union two children
were born -- Charles E. who died February 22nd, 1907, and Robert F. who survives his father and now lives in
Vandalia. His first wife died July 29th, 1864. He was married to Sallie A. Barnett November 29th 1864. To this
union two children were born -- Frank L. who died December 17th 1893 and Fannie who died in infancy June 13th 1880.
His father died when he was 6 years of age. This left him with his mother to manage the farm on which they lived for
about 50 years. In 1889 he moved to the farm in Audrain county near Vandalia. He moved to Vandalia in 1895 and has
made his home here after since until his death. Though one of the oldest men in this country, "Uncle Frank," as he
was known and called by every one, was never in robust health, but has always been in more or less delicate physical
condition, yet without any serious or chronic ailment. Up until his last short illness he was a familiar figure on
the streets. None of his faculties were impaired. His mind was clear and he was always ready to join in talk with
his many friends and with a keen interest and rare judgment he would discuss the current events of the day. Rarely
has any country produced a man of firmer integrity, honor, or honesty. Respected and esteemed by everyone, and he
will be greatly missed by countless friends. He is survived by his son, Robert, and his wife who for nearly sixty
years has been with him. Both these loved ones were able to be with him and to minister to him through his last
illness. The funeral was conducted from the home by Rev. T. S. Matthews, assisted by Rev. Geo Barton and Ambrose
Carroll, and the remains were laid away in the Vandalia Cemetery, January 17, 1923. |
