Charles Barnes, a leading farmer of Harper county, was born January 8, 1857, in Kent county, England. He is a son of John and Frances (Blackman) Barnes, both natives of England. The father was born June 24, 1814, and followed farming in his native land until 1857, when he immigrated to America and located in Seneca county, New York, where he farmed fourteen years. In 1871, he removed to Calhoun county, Michigan, and was successfully engaged in farming there until his death, October 6, 1876. His wife was born January 1, 1814, and is now deceased. They were the parents of eight children: Ann, born September 5, 1836, died April 12, 1912, at Waterloo, N. Y.; John, born April 28, 1838, died March 8, 1914, at Tustin, Mich.; William, born February 12, 1841, died April 11, 1910, at Battle Creek, Mich.; Hannah, born May 25, 1844, died March 20, 1892, at Geneva, N. Y.; Thomas, born October 11, 1847, died July 20, 1888, at Battle Creek, Mich.; Alfred, born October 5, 1850; Charles, the subject of this sketch, and George, born November 6, 1850, died February 20, 1874. Charles Barnes was educated in the public schools of New York, and went to Michigan with his parents when they removed there, and followed farming in that State until 1898, when he came to Kansas, locating in Harper county. He bought a farm in Grant township, three miles from Harper, where he now lives. He is one of the progressive and successful farmers of Harper county, and has a well improved farm which he operates at a satisfactory profit. Mr. Barnes was united in marriage, December 19, 1877, to Miss Mary A. Iauch, a daughter of Andrew and Charlotte L. (Baker) Iauch. She was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., November 22, 1853. Her father was a native of Baden, Germany, and the mother of New York City. To Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have been born three children: John A., born July 9, 1880, married Minnie Weimeyer, November 7, 1907; Harvey D., born July 4, 1882, resides at Harper, and Charles F., born September 9, 1885, a teacher.