THOMAS BARNES, from County Down, Ireland followed farming as an occupation throughout his younger years and until he was well advanced in years, when he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, and thereafter to the end of his days was identified with legitimate trade. His standard of life was high and exalted in character, and nobly did he obey the command of his Heavenly Father to be an example to all men; his honestness and uprightness of purpose which distinguished his dealings detracted in no way from his popularity, for there were few men who were so popular and well-liked in his neighborhood; to the poor and needy and to all who were in distress and trouble, he was an ever-present friend, comforting the broken-hearted, and solacing those who refused to be comforted, and never witholding of his abundance to relieve a case of want and distress. His death was mourned by everyone who had had a chance to know him and to appreciate his gentlemanly qualities; it was caused by his readiness to act as peace-maker between two parties to a feud, the knife that was intended by one combatant to put his opponent hors du combat penetrated a vital spot in Mr. Barnes, and he died instantly.  When a man lays down his life for a friend, the world justly calls it one of the most generous of acts;  but on the other hand how much greater is the magnanimity that prompts one to risk his life in an affair not his own in an endeavor to prevent quarreling and probable bloodshed.  His wife was JANE BOYD, daughter of James Boyd of County Down, Ireland, and to them were born six children: James,  who married Annie Annesley of County Down, and died in Ireland;  William, Annie;  Margaret, who married Henry Wolfe of Pittsburg, Pa., and has six children: Thomas,  Jane,  Charles,  William,  Sherman, and  Madison; and 
Isabelle, deceased. They were connected with the Unitarian Church.  Mr Barnes came to his death in the manner already stated in 1839,  at the age of forty-one years;  his wife survived him until 1847, when she went to join the invisible throng of spirits that inhabit the border-land, being aged at her decease forty-eight years. 
 

Source: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens Lawrence County,  Pennsylvania, Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo, N.Y., 1897

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