Legislator Details
Vital Records Information:
Marital Information:
married D. Mary; children: sons--Chancey R., E.W. and William; daughters-- M.M., A.G., E.W., Emma and Estelle
Number of Children: 8
Background
Education:
Biographical Sketch:
Native of England. Son of Tom and Emma Barnes. Learned the printer's trade before emigrating. He published a newspaper in Niles, MI for a time and, in 1837, was associated with the Detroit Free Press when he was able to supply a printing press to the paper immediately after fire destroyed the Free Press building & equipment. In 1849, he was a founder, acting as chief editor and proprietor of the Detroit Tribune and working for the paper in various capacities for several years. He served as postmaster of Detroit (1866) and was a Government Pension agent (1867-69). In 1855, he was clerk of the House of Representatives. He was known for his efforts to put African American troops in the field and the regiment he formed in 1862 for this purpose.
Notable Facts:
Month and day of birth not known, year given variously as 1815 and 1816.
One of the founders of the Detroit Tribune.
In 1862, recruited the first regiment of colored troops.
Found dead "near the fort," an apparent suicide due to financial reverses.
Name appears as Barns or Barnes in different publications.