Life Sketch of John William Barnett

LIFE SKETCH OF JOHN WILLIAM BARNETT

by Zilnorah Draper Barnett

John William Barnett's grandparents joined the L.D.S. church in England, so both of John W.'s parents were brought to Utah as young children. He was born in Kaysville, Davis County, Utah, June 6, 1881. His parents were John Barnett and Ellen Mary Bone.

When John was a small boy he had to work to earn money to help support the family since his father was gone for twenty one years leaving his mother and the four other children to shift for themselves while he went away on mining adventures. As a result John W.'s schooling was very meager. He went to school part time, working for his board, during the coldest weather.

When only twelve years of age John used to drive a team of horses
and plow all day long for weeks at a time. At other times, he herded pigs for his uncle, Francis Bone. Also, for years he worked away from home at anything which would bring in something to help his mother support the family. Sometimes, he would bring home one-half of a pig in pay for his work. His church attendance was infrequent and the first Priesthood he received was the office of a Priest. He was called to act as a ward teacher in the Kaysville Ward.

When he was twenty four years old he bought a home for his mother, as they had lived in different places in Kaysville. The home he bought was a two roomed adobe house on about three acres of ground located in the east part of Kaysville. About a year later, in 1906, this home blew to the ground in a terrific east wind which went through Davis County, so consequently in 1908 John proceeded to build a two room brick house in which to live. They had only partly paid for the land and home, but went on building just the same. They had a difficult time getting along, and were threatened with foreclosure of the mortgage. John borrowed money from the bank and paid for the place, but still had to make regular payments.

In 1911, John decided it was about time to accumulate something for himself, so he went to Delta, Millard County, where land was cheap and bought a place of his own. Adelbert, his brother, went there also, but did not stay long. John lived alone for about seven years. His father returned after twenty one years so John felt his mother could get along without his support.

During the World War of 1914-1918. it looked as though he would be drafted into the army so he decided to go to the temple and have his endowments. and so came to Salt Lake City and home for a visit. When he passed the temple in Salt Lake City, he said I am going to meet my future wife in the temple, although it seemed absurd at the time. On the way to the temple a few days later, he met Zilnorah Draper





on the Bamberger train. She was also going to the temple to do endowment work for the dead as she had had her endowments the day before. This was on January 31, 1918, when he met Zilnorah. She writes, "I shall never forget my feelings, when my father began talking to John, as he had known him years before. Father didn't even think to give me an introduction to him so I just kept quiet and listened to them talk about old times. And I don't mind admitting that I was rather peeved." We continued to do temple work for a few days, and of course, were thrown together on the train and in the temple. A romance sprang up, and after a years courtship through letters and a few visits to ,my home, we were united in marriage in the Salt Lake Temple. Jan 16, 1919. My mother passed away during the year of our courtship and I used to wonder how in the world I could leave the family to get married.

We moved to Delta, Utah and belonged to the Sugarville Branch, where John was assistant Superintendent of the Sunday School. I was chosen as secretary of the same organization.

After his mother's death in July 1921, we gave up our home in Delta and came back to the home which was paid for in Kaysville, Utah. We had built a two room house in Delta, but it was not paid for so we just let the mortgagee take it. We felt rather discouraged anyway because a hailstorm had wiped out our crop that summer. When we were married we had given a life lease on the Kaysville property to his mother and at her death it was ours. We were blessed with three children, George William, born Sept. 8, 1921; Mary.

born Nov. 19, 1923; and Ruth, born Feb. 13, 1926.

John was a man that lived a very clean life. He never indulged in smoking, drinking or telling or even listening to unclean stories. He loathed vulgarity in any form. He never used vile language in all his life. He was never known to take the name of Deity in vain or to use other swear words. When he wanted to use strong language at the cows or horses, he called them a miserable "old hate" or a miserable "old Betsey". His sense of humor was very odd and enjoyed by his family and friends. He was very fond of little

He was very faithful in attending to his duties in the church. He was an active Ward Teacher for many years. He did 100% ward teaching for eleven years. He surely lived the law of charity with forgiveness to all, never holding grudges. He was a humble man and very honest. I have heard the remark made of him that he was too honest for his own good. Nevertheless, his debts came first.

He appreciated the Priesthood which he held, and honored that Priesthood in all he undertook to do.

His strong character in doing what he believed to be right is noted in the following incident. The men with whom he worked, even his foreman, at one time got into the habit of having a drink of beer during working hours and everyone was supposed to contribute toward these drinks. John flatly refused because he had no use for intoxicating liquors in any form. As time went on he was severely criticized. and his foreman one day said, "John, if you can't be one with us and help to buy the drinks, I shall write up your time and you're through." John replied, "All right, I am through, write it up. I am a free American citizen and I refuse to be forced to do what I believe to be wrong."



He came home and told me what had happened. I was very proud of him and very thankful he had not yielded to temptation. His earnings were small at best, but I felt we would manage somehow. So at John's suggestion we went to Ogden to buy some necessary clothing. for we knew not how long it would be before he would have another job. But, before we arrived home, the foreman bad sent word for John to come back to work. No more was said about furnishing money for drinking, and furthermore, the foreman quit drinking. and he and John spent many evenings together in the Salt Lake Temple. He had strong faith in the administering to the sick, and bore testimony to the benefits he had seen in that ordinance.

He was kind and affectionate with his family, and so proud of any achievement they have made. I will never forget how happy he was when our son, George, was called on a mission to Canada. Although his wages were small, he never doubted but that the Lord would open the way to provide for that mission. And it was marvelous how that mission was paid for. I am very sure that he would have been very happy if he had lived to have been there when George was made Bishop of the Mound Fort Ward on Dee. 6th, 1953.

He was always anxious for all of us to attend to our duties in the Church. Many times he would tend the children, so I could attend to my meetings. He was especially grateful for my labors in genealogical work and helped me in every way he could. We succeeded in doing much research and temple work for both his people and mine. He used to walk to Mutual or to Ward shows after a bard days work, so that our daughters would not have to walk alone in the dark. I know his feet must have hurt terribly many times but he never complained since he was so anxious to have them attend to their meetings and other activities. He loved home talent and when our girls were in school plays or such, he always went and gave them his hearty support and praise.

Wealth made no appeal to him. If he had enough to buy bare necessities, he was content. His whole thoughts were for his family and their education. Education to him was a "must" for his family. Perhaps it was because he had had so little schooling himself. He was a great reader. having read the Bible through more than once and studied the scriptures over and over. And he had a good understanding of them.

In 1944, soon after George's return from his mission, John was stricken with an illness which necessitated ~n operation from which I learned the awful truth that he would not be with me very many more years at best. It was a great shock to me because he had always been so strong and healthy. The operation was performed Aug. 19, 1944. George was serving in the Army at the time in World War II.

Despite the seriousness of the operation and losing a good part of his stomach in the operation, he recovered rapidly, and went back to work in about five weeks. It was not too long before trouble set in again and by Christmas 1945, John was very ill again. On Jan. 26, 1946 he underwent another serious operation, from which he never recovered. He was forced to retire from his job. He had worked for the Bamberger Railroad Company for 25 years, so he drew a small pension. He lived through a miserable spring and summer, although he raised a garden and I still marvel that he was so determined to do it. The determination to accomplish whatever he set out to do was so typical of him. His death occurred at our home in Kaysville at 10:40 AM., Oct. 18, 1946, from carcinoma of the liver and colon. He is buried in the Kaysville City Cemetery.

He always spoke so well of the companions our children have chosen, and was so happy that they were all married in the temple.

His ordinations in the Priesthood are as follows: ordained a Priest by John R. Barnes, on Dec. 13, 1903; an Elder by John R. Barnes, in May, 1907; a Seventy by Hubert C. Burton. on Oct. 30, 1910; and a High Priest by Arnold D. Miller, on Feb. 12, 1928.

At this writing, April 25, 1955, our descendants number three children and their companions, and thirteen grandchildren.