John and Fannie Fields House

Sometime before the year 1850, Frank Conlin came and settled in the Narrows, about one mile and a half east of the present site of Barnard. The Narrows is a strip of land or ridge between the One Hundred and Two and Platte Rivers, about three miles long and one mile wide. In the central portion it is timbered from east to west. At an early day Isaac Broderick emigrated from Tennessee and settled three miles and a half southeast of the place where Barnard is now located. Judge Elijah Shelton came from Indiana and located four miles east of the present site of Barnard. Dr. Wm. Blagg grew up in Nodaway County, about three miles northeast of Barnard. Joseph Blagg located four miles east of where Barnard is situated. In 1848, A. J. Dearing came from Virginia and stopped in Cooper County and Andrew County awhile, but removed to this county in 1856, and settled on the divide two miles and a half west of Barnard, but removed in a year to section 16, where he opened a claim and still resides. James F. Hainey emigrated from Kentucky to Washington Township in April, 185 1, and died there in May, 1862. P. J. Hainey, his son, lived on the old homestead until seven years ago, when he came to Guilford, Grant Township, and afterward removed to Barnard. Valentine Korell came from Prussia June 19, 1850, arrived in New York August 4, 1850, and went to St. Louis. He came to Nodaway County March 1, 1852, and settled on the present town site of Barnard. He was the first blacksmith in the town of Barnard, and is now the mayor.

Passage source: The History of Nodaway County, Missouri, Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, Etc., Biographical Sketches of Its Citizens, published 1882.

Many amusing circumstances have happened in pioneer life that create a broad smile upon the faces of those who are surrounded by the wealth and refinements of modern society. The following incident occurred in Barnard in "ye olden time," and deserves a record in the chronicles of that historic city. Late one evening a couple came to 'Squire Korell and desired to know how much he would tax to marry them. The 'Squire replied that his charge would be two dollars and fifty cents. The man said he had no money, and wanted to know if the 'Squire would not trust them. The 'Squire replied that he never married people on time, but always received his fee in hand. The party then retired for consultation, and there followed a conference with significant whisperings and conversation in undertone. Soon the couple seemed to be reassured and approached the 'Squire and asked " if he would not take his fee in beeswax ? The 'Squire replied that he would take beeswax at its market value. So the beeswax was brought in and weighed and found to be worth sixty cents. The 'Squire said there was not enough beeswax to marry them. Another conference ensued when the lady approached, and in very sweet, beseeching tones, said : " 'Squire, will you not marry us as far as the beeswax goes ? " The 'Squire gave a broad smile and consented, said he thought there was enough beeswax to stick them together. The ceremony proceeded, and soon the happy couple were made one and went on their way rejoicing.

Passage source: The History of Nodaway County, Missouri, Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, Etc., Biographical Sketches of Its Citizens, published 1882.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Grant Township - 3,167 words on its settlement, mills, schools and churches.