This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Surnames: Barnhart, Longenecker, Koffman, Fisher, Nees, Thomas,
Classification: Biography
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/xh.2ADE/1609
Message Board Post:
This book has no cover, and no index, and no author. I bought it on Ebay; it just has the
insides, but it is full of Indiana biographies. I am not researching this family, just
thought I would share. I do not know anymore about these families or these surnames. NOTE:
I don’t know if there is any additional mention of this family in the book, it has no
index. I do not want to sell this book. I am typing the biographies from it.
Typed by Lora Radiches:
Surnames in this biography are: Barnhart, Longenecker, Koffman, Fisher, Nees, Thomas,
ROLLA E. BARNHART, a prominent farmer served from January 1, 1927, until January 1, 1931,
as County Auditor of Clay County. His election on the Republican ticket was one of the
political surprises, as very few Republicans have been chosen to the office of county
auditor in the course of the past forty-two years, Mr. Barnhart being the third Republican
candidate elected to that office since the organization of Clay County in 1825. Mr.
Barnhart was born in Sugar Ridge Township, Clay County, December 19, 1871. His birthplace
was the old Barnhart farm, and the farm still constitutes his home. He is a son of David
N. and Rhoda (Longenecker) Barnhart, and is a grandson of David and Grace (Koffman)
Barnhart. His grandfather was a farmer and stockman and both grandparents are buried at
Center Point, Indiana. David N. Barnhart came from Marion County, Ohio, to Indiana in
1867. He had already earned a record as a gallant soldier in the Civil war. He was in
Company I of the One Hundre!
d Seventy-first Ohio Regiment, at first with the Army of the Potomac, served for a
time under General Thomas, and was engaged in scouting duty in Kentucky and
Tennessee. After the war he settled on his farm in Clay County, where he and his
wife lived out their lives. They are buried at Ashboro. Their four children were: B. C.,
who married Amelia Fisher; Rolla E., Marion C., who married Willis Nees; and Glenn, wife
of J. E. Thomas. Rolla E. Barnhart attended the Evans District School in Sugar Ridge
Township and completed his education in Saline City. All the time he was in school he was
given a regular share of the duties on the farm, and he turned to farming as his regular
vocation and followed that until he was called to the duties of public office. After
retirement from office in January, 1931, he returned to his farming activities in Sugar
Ridge Township. Mr. Barnhart served four years from 1921 to 1925, as county recorder
before he was elected c!
ounty auditor. He served two years as Clay County chairman of the Republican committee and
twenty-six years as precinct committeeman. He and his brother operate in partnership the
old homestead of 134 acres, and his own farming interest of 184 acres is located near
Salina City. Mr. Barnhart is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belongs to the Clay
County Historical Society, the Woodmen of the World and the United Brethren Church. He has
been very attentive to his duties as a churchman and has filled nearly all the lay
offices.