Cherokee, Jefferson, and Talladega County, Alabama
William Harrison Barnard, by reason of his connection with business in various lines, and by virtue of his long service as chief of police, was well known in and around Pratt City. He was the son of William M. Barnard, who served as a soldier in the Civil war from Georgia, was captured and confined in a northern prison, and died as the result of his hardships, July 27, 1877. He married Amanda C, daughter of Jacob and Nancy Horton, of Forney, Alabama, and William Harrison Barnard was one of their children.
William Harrison Barnard was born at Wade Cross Roads, Cherokee county, Alabama, March 22, 1864, his only education during boyhood being secured at what were known as the “three months” schools. He was taught farm work and habits of industry as he grew up, and this proved valuable capital to him in the years of after life. When about twenty years old, he went to Texas, Alabama, and was there associated with various firms in the cotton business, the connection lasted until 1886, when he came to Pratt City, and made that place the scene of his operations.
He first worked as carpenter and then secured employment as grocery clerk, and continued in mercantile pursuits until 1888, when he abandoned this line to become a guard for the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company. He acted as deputy sheriff for a time, and in 1889 was elected chief of police of Pratt City, an office which he held for six years, four consecutively and two years after a temporary retirement. He declined re-election after completing his second term. He made a fine record as chief, and was universally regarded as a brave officer, always ready to do his duty regardless of consequences.
Mr. Barnard has followed many pursuits, but is best known in connection with the livery business, which he entered in 1893, and the Pratt City Furniture company, which he organized in 1899, and of which he is president and treasurer. He was the father and principal stockholder of this concern, which, in addition to its regular line, also conducted an undertaking business. In 1911, he was one of the representatives from Jefferson County in the legislature.
Mr. Barnard was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and was one of the building committee that erected the house of worship for that congregation. No other citizen exceeds him in devotion to his adopted city, and none exhibited a more constant interest in her welfare. His fraternal connections are with the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, Red Men, Knights and Ladies of Honor, Knights of Honor, and the Maccabees.
On Dec. 25, 1890, Mr. Barnard was married to Lulu M. Ellis (b. Apr. 24, 1875 – d. Aug. 24, 1950), daughter of Robert H. A. and Louise M. (Turner) Ellis, of Adairsville, Georgia and they had the following children:
William Harrison Barnard died June 11, 1949 in Sylacauga, Talladega County, Alabama and is buried in the Fraternal Cemetery, Pratt City, Jefferson County, Alabama along with his wife, Lula M. who died on August 24, 1950 and their daughter, Mary Jewel Barnard (September 6, 1896 – Jan 21, 1898) and probably their son, Robert Emmett Barnard (b. Jan 26, 1912 – d. July 15, 1912).
SOURCES
Notable Men of Alabama: Personal and Genealogical, Volume 3 edited by Joel Campbell DuBose
Alabama Deaths and Burials, 1881–1952.” Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2010
History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography, Volume 3 By Thomas McAdory Owen, Marie Bankhead Owen
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