Rev. John Franklin Barnett, 1856-1930

1930 Yearbook of the Iowa Annual Conference

of the Methodist Episcopal Church

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Rev. John Franklin Barnett

Served the Jerome Methodist Church 1923-1924

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  John Franklin Barnett, the son of David L. and Sarah Barnett, was born in Davis County, Iowa, April 15, 1856. After only a week's illness from heart trouble he departed this life at his home in Bloomfield, Iowa, Easter morning, April 20, 1930, at the age of seventy-four years and five days. His father and mother were taken from him when he was but a youth. Thus he was early thrown upon his own responsibility and could rightfully be called a self-made man. He attended the Troy Academy for a year, then the Southern Iowa Normal at Bloomfield. He was graduated from Iowa Wesleyan in 1884, and from Garrett Biblical Institute, with the degree of S.T.B., in 1891.

  October 30, 1881, he was united in marriage to Miss Annie A. Russell. Their home was blessed with seven children, all of whom survive their father with the exception of one daughter, Lottie, who died in 1888 when she was about two years of age. The surviving children are Stella, of Escalon, California; Ruskin W., of Los Angeles, California; Laura, of Turlock, California; Mrs. F. K. Young, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Mrs. G. F. Livermore, of Oskaloosa, Iowa. He is also survived by  his wife; one brother, James Tuttle, of West Grove; and five grandchildren. These with other relatives mourn their loss.

  Rev. Barnett was born of pious parentage and brought up in a Christian atmosphere, so at an early age he was an active member of the church. Through the earnest encouragement and advice of its leaders he later became a local preacher and finally joined the Iowa Conference in 1884. He was ordained local deacon by Bishop Foster in 1884, and elder by Bishop Goodsell in 1888. His active ministry was spent on the following charges: Farmington, North English, Ft. Madison First, Milton, Fremont, Richland, New Sharon, Mt. Pleasant Circuit, Brighton, Lone Tree, and Crawfordsville. Immediately after his retirement he came with his wife to Bloomfield, which during the last eight years has been their home.

  Rev. Barnett was outstanding in his spiritual life. He had a pronounced conviction in connection with all moral issues. As a preacher he stood above the average, and was a reader of the latest books and of the best magazines. He was very faithful in his attendance at the various church services, often being present when he was not physically able. He was a faithful representative of his Master to the last, and it was beautiful that his crowning came amid the beautiful sunlight of an Easter morning.

  The funeral service was held at the Methodist church in Bloomfield, Thursday morning at 10 o'clock, conducted by the pastor, Rev. John W. Poole. The scripture was read by Rev. H. B. Scoles. Rev. A. B. Hightshoe lead in prayer. The obituary was read by the District Superintendent Dr. W. J. Todd. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. U. S. Smith of Fairfield. Rev. O. H. Collins, a retired minister of the Des Moines Conference, who was a roommate and classmate of Rev. Barnett, spoke with much feeling regarding the life and character of his life-long friend and brother. Brethren of the conference acted as pall bearers. Internment was amid cherished scenes of his youth in the country cemetery at Mt. Moriah.