Artifact of the Week — January 14, 2021

Posted by on January 14, 2021

Photocopied newspaper article with photographs from a Batesville newspaper of unknown date entitled “The Barnetts of Batesville.”

The Barnetts of Batesville page 1
The Barnetts of Batesville page 1
The Barnetts of Batesville page 2
The Barnetts of Batesville page 2

A brief biography of primarily the 2nd generation of Barnetts who have lived and worked in Batesville.  The Barnett & Simpson families arrived in Arkansas before the Civil War.  Ira Nelson Barnett I married Martha Louise Simpson in 1865.  Three children born to this union:  Ira Nelson II and twins boys, Charles Allen & James Franklin.  Three boys worked for uncle in Batesville; eventually bought his business, calling it Barnett Brothers.

In 1946 the 3rd generation expanded business operations in 1946, adding a supermarket, auto supply store, furniture store & farm & home supply store.  Success of family attributed to I. N. Barnett II.  Had a number of farms in county, but largest near Oil Trough where cotton & corn grown. Owned & managed real estate & one of the founders of the Citizens Bank & Trust Company in 1910.  Name changed to First National Bank of Batesville.

Article also related the life of Lockie Ball Barnett, daughter of George W. & Mary Elizabeth Huddleston Ball.  Lockie & I. N. Barnett II married Dec. 17, 1890.  Four children:  Charles W., James F., Ira Nelson III, & Mary Louise, who married Dr. Alfred H. Hathcock. Lockie active in church, civic, & patriotic life. 

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