BIO:  Samuel John Barnett, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, Peach Bottom Township, Pg 161

SAMUEL JOHN BARNETT was born in Peach Bottom Township, York County, Penn., January 5, 1846, the 
son of John and Catharine A. Barnett, who came from Lancaster County in 1838.  His mother was a 
woman of great vigor and business activity.  She was of German descent, with an admixture of 
Irish blood.  His paternal grandfather was John K. Barnett, who lived near Fairfield, Lancaster 
County; his great-grandfather was Mark Barnett, who moved from Upper Hartford County, Md., to 
Ohio when that State was the “far West,” and who is said to have lived to the age of one 
hundred and ten years.  The nationality of the Barnett ancestry is involved in some obscurity, 
though the original members in this country probably emigrated at an early period from the 
north of Ireland.  The name appears to be derived from the Roman title “baronettus,” Norman 
French “Baronette,” English “baronet,” from which come the English-Irish name Barnet, Barnett 
or Barnette.  Samuel J. Barnet was the fourth son of his parents, his elder brothers being 
Martin Sylvester, now a book publisher in St. Louis, Mo.; Sergt. David Alva, who lost his life 
in defense of his country in the war of the Rebellion while color-sergeant of his regiment, and 
William James, now a prominent farmer in Peach Bottom Township.  Besides these there were two 
younger sisters, both now dead.  The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and trained to 
agriculture.  When he was six years old he lost his father, and his education was entrusted to 
his mother, who struggled hard to give all her children as good an education as the public and 
private schools of the community would afford.  Samuel J. was fond of reading and an apt 
student.  He early developed a talent for mathematics, and soon distanced most of his teachers 
in that line.  Later, however, his tastes led him more into philosophical and metaphysical 
subjects.  Early in the year 1866 he spent a few weeks at the Millersville State Normal School, 
where he almost immediately gained recognition as an original thinker and stronger debater.  
His attendance at this school was broken by terms of teaching to raise funds.  In 1869 he 
graduated in the elementary course.  After further teaching and study he finished the 
scientific course in 1874, his only fellow-graduate being Frank Ibach, since a teacher in 
Pierce’s Business College, Philadelphia.  With the exception of a few intervals he followed the 
vocation of teacher from 1864 to 1884, most of the time in the public and private schools of 
his native township.  In 1869, after finishing the elementary course at Millersville, he became 
principal of the public school at Shamokin, Penn., and organized the high school of that town.  
In 1874-75 he filled a similar position in Lehighton, Penn.  As a teacher he was enthusiastic 
and thorough, and as a disciplinarian very successful.  During the years of his teaching he 
usually gave a few months each year to farming.  In 1865 he went to Cincinnati, where he was 
engaged for a time clerking for the National Publishing Company.  In 1872 also he served as 
clerk to the Presbyterian Board of Education, Philadelphia.  In 1880 he purchased the Delta 
Herald, after the paper had had a precarious existence of eighteen months.  Under his care it 
has become not only a success as a business venture, but a power for good which is widely felt, 
the paper taking high rank with the older papers of York County.  In 1884 he quit teaching and 
devoted himself to the editorial and business management of his paper.  September 14, 1869, he 
was married to Miss Martha McCurdy, daughter of W. J. McCurdy, of Peach Bottom Township, and a 
sister of J. C. McCurdy, publisher, Philadelphia.  She was a most lovely woman in heart, life 
and person, and proved a valuable helpmeet; but after three years of happy wedded life death 
removed her to a brighter world.  After trying the world alone for eleven years, September 27, 
1883, he married Miss Fannie K. Vogt, daughter of Herman Vogt, of York.  Miss Vogt had for 
several years been a successful teacher in the public schools of York, and is a lady whose 
culture, vivacity and personal attractions win her friends wherever she goes.  Her attainments 
render her an efficient help to her husband in his literary labors.  Following this marriage a 
son was born November 6, 1884.  In life, character and business, Samuel J. Barnett is upright 
and very conscientious.  He has been a warm advocate of temperance, and an active worker in 
church and Sunday-school.  In youth he united with the Slateville Presbyterian Church, with 
which he is still connected, and has for several years filled the position of Sunday-school 
superintendent.  In politics he has been a Republican.  Three times he ran as candidate for 
county superintendent in York County; but though acknowledged to stand head and shoulders above 
any other candidate, the strong political sentiment which was brought to bear against him 
caused his defeat.  Mr. Barnet now lives in Delta, where he has built for himself a commodious 
dwelling and printing office.