William was born in Lauderdale Co AL to Sterling Rex & Mary Mitchell Barnes. He came to Kaufman County Texas when he was 16 years of age and lived there the remainder of his life. He was elected County Surveyor in 1857 and was appointed as Kaufman County Clerk from 1858 to 1862. In 1859 he married Elizabeth Jane Still (1841-1920) and he joined the Confederacy as 1st Lt. Of Co. B 15th Regiment of the Texas Dismounted Calvary. He was taken prisoner at Arkansas Post on 11 Jan 1863 and sent to Camp Chase in Ohio where he was exchanged & released in 1864. He returned to Kaufman County still in service to the CSA as Enlistment Officer for the area. He was also appointed Deputy County Clerk when he returned in 1864, but was removed from that position by federal authorities at the end of the war. By 1885 William was a licensed land broker and raised cattle. He was a Mason & member of the Knights of Pythias. William Henry Barnes died in Kaufman and is buried at Kaufman City Cemetery. A copy of his funeral card, which was distributed throughout Kaufman County the day of his funeral, is pictured below. Children of William Henry Barnes:
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