grave import

Obituary

Many of the readers of the Times will regret to hear of the death of John Wesley Barnes, of Burlington, which occurred at Danville, Ind., Friday last after a very brief illness. He was at Danville superintending the construction of the Toledo, Delphos & Burlington Railway when he was taken ill suddenly and died as above stated. Mr. Barnes was a native of Ohio, but removed to Iowa in early life and has ever since been identified with the interests of our state. He was quite an extensive railroad contractor, having large contracts in the building of the BCB & N, was one of the principal builders of the Burlington Southwestern Railroad, and in connection with our fellow townsman, SL Dows, built the What Cheer branch of the BCR & N, and also the Montezuma extension last summer. Several years since he purchased a half interest in the Burlington Gazette, and though his skillful business management he placed it on a paying basis, and a short time since disposed of his interest to other parties. In 1871 he was married to Miss Susie Safely, sister of Mrs. SL Dows, of our city, and for most of the time since that date has resided in Burlington. He was a man of more than ordinary business capacity energetic, public-spirited, genial, warm-hearted and generous, and was over ready to aid in public enterprises as well as contribute generously to benevolent purposes. He leaves a family consisting of two daughters and one son by a former marriage and one daughter by his last union. We have known Mr. Barnes personally and intimately for the past ten years, and have always admired the true nobility of his character, his frank, open, free-hearted manner, and the memory of the many hours spent in his genial company will long be remembered with pleasure. His wife, who is well known in Cedar Rapids, has the deepest and trues sympathy of all who know her in this hour of her sad bereavement.