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17. The Michael A. Barnes Window.
The Michael A. Barnes Window is on the west side of the sanctuary just south of the altar-shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and behind the statue of St. Anthony of Padua. The window is 70 inches wide and 18 feet tall. Those familiar with Bil Keane's Family Circus comic strips have seen the dotted-line mazes as the kids find unlikely routes from point A to B. Sometimes that is how research works. The story doesn't always end up where it is supposed to go. Such is the the fairly complicated Michael Barnes story. And when we we reached the end of Michael's time on earth, a relative grabs the story and keeps it going.
Michael Barnes. To start with, in the time frame that seemed to match Michael Barnes birth, there were nearly a dozen Michael Barnes' born in Ireland. After several dead ends, one Michael fit our subject.
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Photo and Banner Photo - R. Brogan
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Michael Barnes (1833-1887), was a first generation Irishman from County Tipperary that came to America with his parents Henry (1807-1866), and Mary Alice Britt Barnes (1809-1871), and siblings around 1850. The family farmed near Hartland, Niagara County, New York. The 1855 New York census shows children Catherine 23 years old, John 22, Michael 20, James 18, Henry Jr. 16, Anastasia 14, Patrick 12, Joseph 10, and Thomas 6, all born in Ireland. By 1860 only Patrick, Joseph and Thomas were left in the household.
In 1858 Michael and younger brother James Barnes were in the frontier settlement of Ozawkie Township, Jefferson County, Kansas. We found no marriage record for Michael Barnes and Ellen S. Mainey (Mayne) but it is thought they were married by a missionary priest in either Jefferson or Pottawatomie County Kansas. There is reason to believe that Ellen's family was from St. Mary's, Kansas. We learned from Michael Barnes probate that he and Ellen had two other daughters Mary and Alice that died in 1864 at Ozawkie, Kansas. And another son Henry that died in 1866. Search of cemeteries uncovered nothing.
The Osage Mission Journal documents that Michael was of the 2nd round of first white settlers to Osage Mission in 1866 with Colonel James Volney Pierce, Sebastian Groner, Joseph M. Roycroft, and ten others. It didn't take him long to acclimate to his new town and neighbors. Beginning in 1867 he became involved in local politics and after an initial defeat, he was elected, or selected, for several offices or organization positions. Michael and Ellen also opened a grocery store on the corner of Main and Market Street (now 4th and Central) in 1868. How long Michael was involved in the grocery business is uncertain, but he did purchase a grocery inventory in 1874.
From there, Michael shows up frequently in local newspaper articles regarding businesses and the Neosho County Agriculture Society (N.C.A.S.). in 1869 Michael Barnes was elected a Sheriff of of Mission Township, and later he became the Neosho County Sheriff. When liquor licenses were issued for Osage Mission in March of 1874, Michael Barnes and Ben Venneman received two of the ten initially granted. Between organizations, liquor business and serving as Sheriff, Mr. Barnes appears to have all of his squares marked.
In 1858 Michael and younger brother James Barnes were in the frontier settlement of Ozawkie Township, Jefferson County, Kansas. We found no marriage record for Michael Barnes and Ellen S. Mainey (Mayne) but it is thought they were married by a missionary priest in either Jefferson or Pottawatomie County Kansas. There is reason to believe that Ellen's family was from St. Mary's, Kansas. We learned from Michael Barnes probate that he and Ellen had two other daughters Mary and Alice that died in 1864 at Ozawkie, Kansas. And another son Henry that died in 1866. Search of cemeteries uncovered nothing.
The Osage Mission Journal documents that Michael was of the 2nd round of first white settlers to Osage Mission in 1866 with Colonel James Volney Pierce, Sebastian Groner, Joseph M. Roycroft, and ten others. It didn't take him long to acclimate to his new town and neighbors. Beginning in 1867 he became involved in local politics and after an initial defeat, he was elected, or selected, for several offices or organization positions. Michael and Ellen also opened a grocery store on the corner of Main and Market Street (now 4th and Central) in 1868. How long Michael was involved in the grocery business is uncertain, but he did purchase a grocery inventory in 1874.
From there, Michael shows up frequently in local newspaper articles regarding businesses and the Neosho County Agriculture Society (N.C.A.S.). in 1869 Michael Barnes was elected a Sheriff of of Mission Township, and later he became the Neosho County Sheriff. When liquor licenses were issued for Osage Mission in March of 1874, Michael Barnes and Ben Venneman received two of the ten initially granted. Between organizations, liquor business and serving as Sheriff, Mr. Barnes appears to have all of his squares marked.
All that remains of the Flat Rock grist mill is an overgrown pile of rubble and some faint foundation lines next to the creek. Photo - Osage Mission-County Historical Society.
One business venture that Michael was briefly associated with stands out in Osage Mission history. In April of 1869 The N.A.C.S. was organized and filed a chapter in Neosho County. Michael was elected as one of the directors. In October of 1869, two Irishmen, Michael Barnes and partner Denis W. Bray began erecting a new saw and grist mill in Flat Rock Creek. The mill was erected rapidly and the engine and machinery are quickly installed. But in short order the name of the mill was changed to Ryan and Bray company and it was soon ready to operate.
On September 14th, 1870 the Ryan Bray & Company Mill was formally opened with a ceremony. Speeches were mad by Father John Schoenmakers, Father Philip Colleton, Ayer Gilmore, Mr. C.F. Hutchings, lawyer, Mr. John O'Grady Lawyer and Others. Father Schoenmakers speech, in particular outlined the growth of the Mission from humble beginnings, the plight of the Osage people and his vision of a Mission Town that was materializing.
One has to realize that the combination of the grist mill, combined with the new railroad being built, gave the new town of Osage Mission dramatic economic boost. The mill gave farmers a convenient source to sell their grain products. It also provided jobs at the mill, plus opportunities for local seamstresses to make much-needed sacks for packing mill products. The railroad was an essential link for commerce and passengers. The mill, plus railroad was a frontier equivalent to a new Amazon facility and airport.
The details of Michael's business and political ventures and some legal problems go well beyond the scope of this web page. The Barnes section of the Who's Behind the Window? draft is well over twenty pages. But Michael died on July 23, 1887. He died at a relatively young age (54) and unexpectedly. Michael certainly didn't expect it because he left no will and his probate was extensive and complicated because of his business dealings. In the end Michael's widow, Ellen, received 8/10s of the personal, real and business assets and children Maggie and Frank received 1/10th each from the estate.
Ellen Barnes did not remarry. Her husband Michael left her well financed. She lived on one of our town's more prosperous streets, East Layfette. The St. Paul Journal of February 1, 1900 confirms that Mrs. Ellen Mayne Barnes was among the generous donors for stained glass windows at St. Francis Church. Just over 23 years later Ellen Barnes died at her home on the night of March 1st, 1923. She had been in poor health for several years. Both Ellen and Michael are buried in St. Francis Cemetery.
At this point Michael and Ellen's stories are over. But not their Children. The Who's Behind the Window? manuscript includes about six pages about son Francis Ignatius (Frank) and daughter Margaret. Much of it is quite interesting. We are not going into detail here. That is in the book. But as you read about Frank, in particular, the "Family Circus" analogy above becomes clear [1].
On September 14th, 1870 the Ryan Bray & Company Mill was formally opened with a ceremony. Speeches were mad by Father John Schoenmakers, Father Philip Colleton, Ayer Gilmore, Mr. C.F. Hutchings, lawyer, Mr. John O'Grady Lawyer and Others. Father Schoenmakers speech, in particular outlined the growth of the Mission from humble beginnings, the plight of the Osage people and his vision of a Mission Town that was materializing.
One has to realize that the combination of the grist mill, combined with the new railroad being built, gave the new town of Osage Mission dramatic economic boost. The mill gave farmers a convenient source to sell their grain products. It also provided jobs at the mill, plus opportunities for local seamstresses to make much-needed sacks for packing mill products. The railroad was an essential link for commerce and passengers. The mill, plus railroad was a frontier equivalent to a new Amazon facility and airport.
The details of Michael's business and political ventures and some legal problems go well beyond the scope of this web page. The Barnes section of the Who's Behind the Window? draft is well over twenty pages. But Michael died on July 23, 1887. He died at a relatively young age (54) and unexpectedly. Michael certainly didn't expect it because he left no will and his probate was extensive and complicated because of his business dealings. In the end Michael's widow, Ellen, received 8/10s of the personal, real and business assets and children Maggie and Frank received 1/10th each from the estate.
Ellen Barnes did not remarry. Her husband Michael left her well financed. She lived on one of our town's more prosperous streets, East Layfette. The St. Paul Journal of February 1, 1900 confirms that Mrs. Ellen Mayne Barnes was among the generous donors for stained glass windows at St. Francis Church. Just over 23 years later Ellen Barnes died at her home on the night of March 1st, 1923. She had been in poor health for several years. Both Ellen and Michael are buried in St. Francis Cemetery.
At this point Michael and Ellen's stories are over. But not their Children. The Who's Behind the Window? manuscript includes about six pages about son Francis Ignatius (Frank) and daughter Margaret. Much of it is quite interesting. We are not going into detail here. That is in the book. But as you read about Frank, in particular, the "Family Circus" analogy above becomes clear [1].
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Some Reference Information.
1. OK - A Hint. Maggie Barnes appears to be smart and did fairly well at the Osage Mission schools. She attended St. Ann's Academy where she won awards for her abilities. Her life appears somewhat normal except for reappearances of her brother. Frank did inherit some of his father's business and political ambition. But it appears as though he spent much of his life traveling, or moving, between St. Paul and California. During this time a spouse named "Rose" appears, disappears and reappears with him or in various mental institutions. Both siblings died within a year of one another 1947, '48. The rest is in the book. |
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The Michael A. Barnes stained glass is crowned with a Chalice and Holy Eucharist. This symbolizes "The Last Supper" and the intuition of the Mass. (Photo - R. Brogan)
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