Benjamin M. Barnett

BENJAMIN M. BARNETT, M. D., in his professional service has been prompted by a laudable ambition for advancement as well as by deep sympathy and humanitarian principles that urge him to put forth his best efforts in the alleviation of pain and suffering. He has gained recognition from the profession as one of its able representatives and the trust reposed in him by the public is indicated by the liberal patronage awarded him. In addition to his life work Dr. Barnett has a number of financial interests in this section of broad scope and importance, and he has served with efficiency both as a member of the city council and as mayor of Rosedale.

A native of Ohio, Dr. Benjamin M. Barnett was born at Canton, in Stark county, on the 12th of December, 1854, and he is a son of Jacob F. and Hannah (Myers) Barnett, both of whom are now deceased. The father was born and reared in the state of Pennsylvania and he was summoned to the life eternal in 1903, at the venerable age of eighty-two years, while the mother, who was likewise a native of the old Keystone state, passed away in 1881, at the age of sixty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob F. Barnett became the parents of ten chidren,[sic] four of whom are living at the present time, in 1911, namely, John, James and Isaac, of Canton, Ohio; and Benjamin M., who is the immediate subject of this review. Jacob F. Barnett immigrated to Stark county, Ohio, when about thirty years of age, and he passed the major portion of his active career as a farmer and stock raiser. In his religious faith he was a devout member of the Dunkard church and in politics he accorded a stalwart allegiance to the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor.

Dr. Barnett received his rudimentary educational training in the public schools of Canton, Ohio, and subsequently he was matriculated as a student in Jefferson Medical College, in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in which excellent institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1882 duly receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine. He initiated the active practice of his profession in the vicinity of Canton, Ohio, but in the fall of 1883 he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, where he remained for a period of two years, at the expiration of which he came to Rosedale, Kansas, where he has since resided and where he has built up a large and lucrative patronage. He holds prestige as one of the leading physicians and surgeons in Wyandotte county and in connection with his life work he is affiliated with the Wyandotte Medical Society, the Kansas State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is also prominent in the business world of Rosedale and is giving most efficient service as vice president of the Commercial State Bank, one of the most substantial and reliable monetary institutions in the state.

On the 24th of February, 1886, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Barnett to Miss Mollie Helmreich, who was reared and educated in Kansas City, Missouri, where her birth also occurred. She is a daughter of Henry and Regina Helmreich, both of whom were natives of Germany, whence they immigrated to America about the year 1865. The father was for a time engaged in the brewery business at St. Louis, Missouri, and subsequently he established the family home in Kansas City, Missouri, where he built up an extensive livery business. Mr. and Mrs. Helmreich are both deceased and of their large family of children eight are living, at the present time, Mrs. Barnett having been the youngest in order of birth. To Dr. and Mrs. Barnett were born three cildren, one of whom, Harry, died in 1888. Those living are Benjamin, Jr., and Helen.

Dr. Barnett has figured prominently in public affairs at Rosedale since his arrival in this place. In 1886 he was elected a member of the city council and two years later he was honored by his fellow citizens with election to the office of mayor. In 1902 he was again a member of the board of alderman and in 1903 was re-elected as mayor, giving a most admirable administration as head of the municipal affairs of the city. In his politicl[sic] convictions he endorses the cause of the Republican party and in a fraternal way he is affiliated with a number of representative local organizations. Dr. Barnett's professional career excites the admiration and has won the respect of his contemporaries, and in a calling in which one has to gain reputation by merit he has advanced steadily until he is recognized as the superior of most of the members of the medical profession in this part of the state.