Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 781.
 
GEORGE W. BARNES

     a leading attorney of Prineville, is also one of the earliest pioneers of
this part of Oregon. He was born in Andrew county, Missouri, on March 10, 1849.
His father, Elisha Barnes, was born in Kentucky and was one of the forty-niners
crossing the plains to California. After two years spent there mining, he
returned to Missouri and then in 1852, he brought his family back west across
the plains, our subject being then but three years of age. In the fall of 1860
he settled in Linn county, where he remained until the fall of 1866, when with
five others, he came to the Ochoco and spent two years. Then he returned to the
Willamette valley and moved his family to a place about three miles distant from
the present site of Prineville. There he remained until 1898, when he returned
to Missouri and died there in the same year. Our subject's mother, Susannah T.
(Glenn) Barnes, was born in Missouri and is note living in Prineville. George
W., as stated above, came across the plains in 1852 and received his early
education in the schools of Linn county. In 1867, he joined his father in
Western Oregon find with him, took up the stock business. There were no range
difficulties here at that time and they were monarchs of all they surveyed which
made the stock business a splendid occupation. When our subject became of age he
took a homestead two and one-half miles distant from the present site of
Prineville and engaged in farming. For seven years he conducted that occupation,
then sold out and removed to Prineville, where he prosecuted further, the study
of law, which he had been taking up for some time previous. In 1880 he was
admitted to the bar and at once began the practice of his profession. From that
time, until the present period of twenty-five years, he has steadily attended to
this occupation and has won many distinct and brilliant triumphs. Mr. Barnes has
seen the entire development of the country, and remembers the first house built
in Prineville, and has seen the growth and improvement of everything that makes
the wealth of Crook county today. He was the first attorney in Prineville and
has made an indelible mark in the history of this county. He has assisted very
materially in all the forward enterprises and is a man whose labor and life
speak much. Mr. Barnes well remembers the vigilance committee of the early' days
and is as intimately connected with the history of the country as perhaps any
man here today. Being one of the earliest pioneers and a leading man, he stands
in a position to view the progress of the years and the achievement of his own
life with a satisfaction at the gratifying results in both cases. 
     In 1870 Mr. Barnes married Miss Generva Marks, a native of Linn county,
Oregon, her father, William Marks, being one of the early pioneers of that
county. To this union the following named children have been born : Mrs. Mattie
Nickelsen of Hood river, Mrs. Mary Miller of Brandon, Mrs. Susie Helms of this
county, widow, Bert. Arthur and Valdie.
     Mr. Barnes is a strong Democrat and takes a keen interest in political
matters. He is well known through the country as a man of influence and worth
and is one of the leading professional men of this part of the state.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.