Maj. George F. Barnes was born October 14, 1836 in Davidson County Tenn. to Andrew J. Barnes and Martha A. Barnes (nee Foster). These parents both of whom were Virginians, settled in Davidson County in 1826, and there lived many years, removing thence to Kentucky in 1854, settling near Benton, Marshall County, where the mother died in 1868, the father living until 1883 when he died in Benton at the age of seventy-eight years. Goerge F. is the fourth of a family born to them, of whom five are now living, and are residents of the Purchase. Maj. Barnes attended the common schools of Davidson County, Tenn., during his boyhood, and in early life began the merchantile business in his native County, which he continued until 1860. In 1862 he recruited a company of volunteers for the federal service, was chosen its second lieutenant, and it became Company A of the fifteenth Kentucky Cavalry. After serving in this capacity one year he was authorized to recruit a regiment to be known as the Sizteenth Kentucky. He succeeded in procuring but five companies, four of which were made Third Battalion, and consolidated with the Twelfth regiment, acting independently however, until December 1864; subject was placed in command of the battalion with the commision of major in the fortunes of which he shared until mustered out at the close of the war. He then went to Paducah and for three years was engaged in merchandising and in 1870 was made assistant assessor of internal revenue for the First District of Kentucky, serving as such for about four years from which time to 1880 he was in Paducah and served three years on the police force of that city. In 1880 and 1881 he was employed as postal clerk on the Chesapeake,Ohio & Southwestern Railroad, after which he was appointed to the office of deputy collector of internal revenue for the Second District of Kentucky. Maj. Barnes is a cultured gentleman, a man of administrative ability, and a faithful, efficient officer. He is a Republican in Politics and chairman of his party organization in the county, and a member of the K.of H. He was married in Paducah, December 31, 1865, to Miss Annie M. daughter of F.S. Robinson, They have three children: Ella F., Annie May and Della J. Barnes.