David Barnes   

David Barnes came from Strawbridge, in the spring of 1803, to Bullskin township (which then comprised all that is now Connellsville township), and located in what was known at that time as “Irishtown,” near Breakneck Furnace. In 1802 he purchased land from Zachariah Connell in the town of Connellsville, and in 1803 moved there and opened a tavern. Afterwards he became prominent as a contractor in building mills, furnaces, forges, bridges, and buildings. He built for Mr. Connell the first “go-back” saw-mill in all this region, and received in payment for the work several acres of land in the borough of Connellsville, upon which he carried on brick-making for a number of years. He was also engaged in the iron business, and was in many ways an active man in promoting the interests of the town. He had six sons. David, the eldest, still living in Connellsville, has been, like his father, prominent in the advancement of the place. He spent a number of years at Harrisburg in the various governmental departments, has been engaged in the employ of several railroads, and is now the agent of the Southwest Pennsylvania line at Connellsville. William, the second son, became a preacher of the Baptist denomination. He visited Jerusalem, and after several years’ residence in Palestine returned to his native country. Hamilton Barnes became prominent in politics, and represented Somerset, Bedford, and Fulton Counties in the Senate of Pennsylvania in 1852-54. Afterwards he became a teacher in the Disciples’ or Campbellite Church. Joseph Barnes removed to the West, and was employed in a responsible position on the Union Pacific Railroad during the time of its construction. Z. E. Barnes, another son of David Barnes, Sr., served in the Mexican war, and as quartermaster in the war of the Rebellion. He now resides at the homestead in Connellsville.

History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & Co., 1882, page 369. View the image of this page online - Free Trial  Search Hundreds of 1880s-1890s Pennsylvania County History Books for biographies and historical information on your ancestors.  View the book page images on line and print them out for your genealogy file!  Free Access to the old history books - plus birth & death records, census images and ALL other records at ancestry.com.