Biography - Fred Barnett
FRED C. BARNETT is a prominent resident of the thriving city of Litchfield, Ill., and is the President of the Western Grain Company, which has its principal office at this place. George W. Barnett, the father of our subject, was a native of Kentucky, and came to Macoupin County at an early date and bought land there, paying $2.25 per acre, which land now commands $60 an acre. His purchase was of nine hundred acres, and he put it all under cultivation, but when the railroad crossed the place he marked out a town, and a post-office was established here. After this he engaged in business in the town, and with our subject carried on a general store and also dealt in lumber, grain and coal.
Fred C. Barnett was born in Carlinville, Ill., July 28, 1865, and is the son of George W. and Frances (Poley) Barnett. He was well educated, having taken a full course at the Illinois College at Jacksonville, Ill., and graduated there in the Class of '86. He immediately went into business with his father in dealing in lumber and grain, and the firm operated under the name of G. W. Barnett & Son, their place of business being in the village of Barnett, which place G. W. Barnett had founded, as above stated, and which is located on the J. & S. E. and L. C. & W. R. R. He remained with his father until March, 1891, when he came to this town and established the Fred C. Barnett Grain Company. He did a large track-buying business, and handled large quantities of grain and thousands of cars. He devoted his time to the enterprise and made it a great business.
Mr. Barnett has other interests, as he is a stockholder in the Threshing Machine Company, in the Litchfield Paint & Color Company, the Oil City Building & Saving Society, and the Litchfield Homestead & Loan Association, the North & South Chicago, and also the St. Louis Safety & Homestead Association, of East St. Louis. Socially, Mr. Barnett belongs to Charter Oak Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and to St. Omer Commandery, and holds the position of Junior Warden in the lodge and that of Warden in the commandery. The present company with which Mr. Barnett is connected is doing business under the name of the Western Grain Company and is a late consolidation of the Fred C. Barnett Grain Company with that of the Munday Bros., and the capital stock is $15,000. The business is that of brokerage and general grain dealing. They have a wide experience and manage a large territory.
Our subject is a popular man in his neighborhood, and this was illustrated when he, a strong Republican, was elected Supervisor in a Democratic district. He served to the satisfaction of all concerned, but his commercial engagements are of such a nature that he would seem to have little time to spend in political affairs. His religious connection is with the Christian Church. The father and mother of our subject are still living and, no doubt, look with pleasure on the thriving little village of Barnett, which has literally sprung up under their own eyes. Our subject was the first Postmaster of the place. The railroad has assisted the town in its growth, and the location of it reflects credit on the judgment of George W. Barnett.
Extracted 10 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 270-271.
