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Note: Obituary Harpursville Budget, July 11, 1901 In the sudden death of the subject of this sketch, at his home near Harpursville, N.Y., on Sunday June 30th last, a man of sterling qualities and unsullied reputation went to his reward. Mr. Barnett was a member of a large and influencial family; well known in both thew susquehanna and Chenango valleys; a son of the late Rev. Charles Felix Barnett, of precious memory. His father died at Greene, N.Y. , in the year 1885 at the advanced age of 92 and one half years his funeral being attended by 92 relatives. Since that time many of those then present have gone the way of all the earth. The grandfather of the deceased, Mr. Simon Barnett, affords an interesting subject in the histories of both Chenango and Otsego counties. His parents were French and he was born in the Isle of Martinique, one of the West Indies. He was one of a company of French refugees who escaped on a French privateer, but was captured later by a British Man-of-War and landed in Philadelphia. He was 12 years old at the time. It was during our Revolutionary War. Escaping from his captors, he settled in Philadelphia, where he learned the trade of ship-builder, and in that capacity he displayed marked abilities, earning for himself quite a property which he exchanged......property in Gilbertsville was exchanged for land at Greene, to which he finally removed. That was about 108 years ago, when the father of the subject of this sketch was less than a year old in time for the visit of the celebrated Tallyrand to his countrymen at that place. Simon Andrew Barnett, our subject , was born at Greene, May 30th 1822, making him 79 years of age at the time of his death. He was united in marriage with Miss Cloe Clistio(sic) Ford, of Friendship, N.Y. in 1842 and is survived by her though in very feeble health. This union was blest with ten children, of whom six are now living two having died in infancy and two some years afterwards. The living are the following: Mrs. C. W. Spencer, R. Eugene and Will J. Barnett of Binghamton, Mrs A. L. Dickenson, Mrs. Clara Fisher and F. D. Barnett of Nineveh. Deseased is survived also by two sisters, Mrs. E. S. Crossett, and Rosa, of Binghamton; Jackson Barnett of Greene. At the age of 16 years he united with the M.E. Church, at Greene, of which denomination he has remained a true, consistent, liberal member. Amid all the perplexities of his long busy life, whether in prosperity or adversity, he never bemoaned his profession. With unfaltering trust in god, and a spirit of self sacrifice, he believed that all would come out right at the last. Though opportunities presented themselves which might have made it quite the opposite. His high sense of honor prompted him to suffer heavy financial losses; though others profited thereby. His love for his family prompted him to acts of extreme kindness for which they rise to call him blessed. His public works were many, and in various parts of this state and Pennsylvania. Beginning as contractor for the high bridge at nineveh in the employ of the D&H R.R. in 1865; his works extended and multiplied until he became generally known along that line, winning a large circle of friends. After the construction of the above named bridge he was prominent in the preparation of the road bed for the double track from there to Afton. Two or three of his more prominent public works may be mentioned; as for instance, the Court House at Schoharie, in 1869-70 at which time the true dignity of the man was exemplified; The south Quay Street Bridge Piers at Albany, for years the longest draw span of any bridge in the whole world. In 1877 he erected the costly and beautiful Episcopalian Church in his native village of Greene for which he received the highest commendations of the church and the community; which structure will remain as a monument to his genius and memory for centuries to come. Though practically laid aside for several years Mr. Barnett has felt a deserved pride in the construction of his loved work under the skill of two of his sons. Eugene and Will Barnett are "Master Builders" yet feeling a just pride in the question often put to them, "Are you related to Simon Barnett?". surrounded by his immediate hopusehold, wife and devoted son and family; he peacefully departed from this body, and ascended to the home eternal. His funeral was largely attended from the late residence on Tuesday of last week, and was in charge of Funeral Director Kark. The singing was rendered by a quartette and was in charge of the Rev. Mounteney, his pastor, who has recently gone to that field. The sermon was preached by Rev. E.R.D. Briggs, pastor of the M.E. Church at Unadilla, and a friend of the family, he having preached the sermon of his father and several relatives during his pastorate in Greene several years since. The text was selected from Hebrews 13:14 " Here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come". Prayer was offered by the Rev. H. M. Brown of the Episcopal church at Harpursville, whom also pronounced the benediction at the grave. The burial was in the family plot at Nineveh. True it is "He being dead, yet speaketh." E. R. D. B.
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