REV. H. T. BARNABY, D. D.-One of the most eminent and noteworthy ecclesiastics of Michigan is he whose biography is presented in the following paragraphs. As a man of parts he is known not alone to men of his calling but to men of other professions in all parts of the country. His fame, both professionally and personally, has preceded him almost everywhere, and today, in his seventy-seventh year, few ecclesiastics are better or more favorably known in his surrounding country. He has been a power in the pulpit as an exponent of the faith of the members of his church, the history of its dogmas, and a resume of church duties. In looking after the spiritual welfare of his fellow-citizens, Bishop Barnaby gets very near to his people, and has ever sought to develop the highest type of social life of the church. He has made himself a personal friend of each and every member of his flock, sympathizing with them in trouble and rejoicing with them in their gladness, and in his many capacities, both as pastor and bishop, has shown himself to be a well educated gentleman, possessing a fine and genial mind, in discourse fluent, eloquent and forcible. Rev. Bishop Barnaby was born at Angelica, Allegany county, N. Y., on the 26th of April, 1823, being a son of Alvin P. and Amanda (Stutson) Barnaby, the parents of a son and daughter. He is of pure English extraction and his early progenitors came to America, numbered among the pilgrim fathers. Rev. Barnaby is the only survivor of the children. His father was a native of Belcher, Mass., born in the year 1796, and died in I845. He was educated in his native state, which affords the greatest educational facilities and has a population of the finest and most cultured people. Here he lived until twenty-one years of age and accordingly his attainments were very high. He was much devoted to poetry and fine literature, and though he learned the trade of a brick and stone mason, the major part of his life was spent at the profession of teaching in Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania. He was an indefatigable worker and student. His parents were strong in the Presbyterian faith, and, coming from Puritan ancestry, were very strict in the observance of their christian duties. He spent a small part of his life in western Ohio, but the greater part in New York state. His wife was a native of the Green Mountain state, born at Orwell, Bennington county, in March, I800, and died on the 4th of July, 1836. A lady of advanced attainment, she became a school-teacher. She was very dutiful in respect to her religion and was devout in her connection with the Baptist society. Her death occurred in the state of Michigan. Rev. H. T. Barnaby, of this sketch, spent the first twenty years of his life in his native state. He arose from lowly circumstances. His education was self-acquired and he is a self-made man. At eighteen years of age he was so far advanced in education that he was enabled to teach school. It was through extreme diligence and the denial of many comforts and conveniences that he arose to what he now is. Night after night by the cheerful but flickering fire-light, he, with concentration and perseverance, studied out his lessons, formed the principles and laid the foundation upon which a successful life was erected. Rev. Barnaby was four times united in marriage; first to Miss Lydia Wilson, who bore him four children, two of whom are now living, viz: Maria, the widow of Eli Bishop, who was an agriculturist of near Lansing, Mich.; and Amelia Ann, the wife of Henry Beardsley, a mason by trade, living at De Funiak, Fla. By the union of Rev. Barnaby and his third wife, Miss Susan Franklin, one child was born, who is now deceased. On December 6, 1864, Rev. Barnaby was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Sophia J. Abbey, who has become the mother of six children, five of whom are living, viz: Alvin P., Horace T., Milton W., James L., and Addie B. The eldest is a resident of Huntington, Ind., and a professor in the United Brethren Central college. He graduated with the class of I888 at Hartsville, Ind., the former seat of the United Brethren college, and is now in the seventh year of his profession, being principal of the preparatory department. He is also an ordained minister in the United Brethren church and has been a very successful man in his life's calling. Horace T., the next in order of birth, has entered the profession of law witH, Hon. William Alden Smith, Michigan's illustrious statesman. He was a student for three years at Hartsville college, and also for a short time at Kalamazoo college, Mich. For six years he successfully taught school in Barry and Kent counties. Milton W. Barnaby, the third son, is a student of the college at Huntington, Ind., has been such for the last three years, and will graduate with a scientific course in the class of 190I. James L. is a practical and successful agriculturist and stockman. He received his education in the public schools, and on May I8, I896, was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Chappel. He is now operating and has entire charge of his father's estate. Addie B., the daughter and fifth child, has completed the eigth years of the common schools and will graduate with the class of 900o from the United Brethren college at Huntington, Ind. She has been taking a scientific course and is a member of her college club, Zeta Lethean, of which society she was the third president. Her future career will be that of a teacher, for which she is now so admirably fitting herself. Mrs. Barnaby was born in Eaton Rapids, Eaton county, Mich., June I, 1842. She was I educated in the public schools and was for seven years a school-teacher, and is fitted educationally to be a valuable assistant to her husband. At the age of twenty-nine years Rev. Barnaby concluded to take up the work of a clergyman. He was granted his first license as a minister in Hillsdale county, in 1852, and was connected with this society until 1858. At that date he became identified with the United Brethren church and was local minister in such until October, i860, when he became pastor of the Gratiot circuit. Following this he served in the capacities of pastor of Eaton circuit and Fair Plains, in Montcalm county; minister in Roxand township, Eaton county; presiding elder of St. John's district in October, I866, embracing about ten counties; minister of Bengal circuit, in Clinton county; presiding elder of the Grand Rapids district, elected in I872 and serving one year, thence sent to St. John's district, where he remained for two years, and, being impaired in health, he declined an election of presiding elder, and was sent to Gaines township in 1875, where he remained for two years. Until I889 he was engaged with the Grand Rapids district, Gaines circuit and St. John's district. In May, 1889, at the general conference of the United Brethren in Christ's church, Rev. Barnaby was elected bishop by the popular vote to take charge of the district, comprising the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. After two years he was given the southwest district, composed of part of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas; and a year later took charge of the east district, comprising part of Ohio, Pennsylvania, west New York, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia and Canada. At the next quadrennial session of the church held at Hudson, Ind., in May, I893, he was re-elected to his important and responsible position of bishop, and four years later was again elected to the same at Dublin, Ind., and assigned permanently to the northwest district. At the present time he has just returned from an extended trip in the west and south. Rev. Bishop Barnaby has been an ardent worker for three-quarters of a century; he is a man of untiring energy and unflagging perseverance, with a sturdy and steady disposition, knowing no such phrase as " give up," or such a word as "fail." Stormy weather and bad roads are not a hindrance to him, but with Napoleon's grit and energy he accomplishes what he sets out to accomplish. His life has not been given to his religious duties alone, but he has ever been prominently identified with the interests, welfare and advancement of his country. Politically he was formerly a whig and was very ardent in the support of his party principles. His first presidential vote was cast for Henry Clay, the champion of the whig party. At the time of his vote he was a resident of Wright township, Hillsdale county, and his was the only whig ballot cast in the township. Rev. Barnaby was an able exponent of the anti-slavery policy. The principle of slavery was obnoxious even unto his youth, and at the attainment of the youthful age of thirteen years his views were set as to the question. He was a supporter of John G. Fremont, and, with great pride of Abraham Lincoln, the emancipator of four million slaves. He has been very outspoken in his belief, and his friends always knew what stand he will take. During his residence in Gratiot county he acted various times as delegate to state and congressional conventions and was oft chairman of local meetings and conventions in his immediate vicinity. For fifteen years he was supervisor of North Star, Gratiot county, during five years of which he acted as chairman.  For two years he held the office of county clerk, elected in I860, and represented his county in the state legislature at Lansing for four years, having been elected to that office in I868 and re-elected in 1870. In his ecclesiastical station, Rev. Barnaby has been a beloved pastor, genial and cordial in his nature, with a happy faculty of placing the charges at ease in his home. He ever had the unbounded confidence of the members of his congregation, and by his generous impulses and eminent social qualities has made friends with all classes, irrespective of church or order. "His life has been fraught with good works, and the future awaits him with bounteous and abundant reward."

 

Created: 11 Jul 2009