John M. Barnett first saw the light of day in Wayne County, Tenn., in 1834. His parents, John M. and Lovina (Poag) Barnett, were born in Georgia and South Carolina, respectively, and came to Tennessee at an early day and when quite young. The father was a farmer by occupation but also practiced medicine and preached the gospel, being a minister of the Christian Church. He was a Whig and died in Wayne County, in 1834, followed by his wife in 1864. Our subject has always resided on the farm where he was born. It consists of 164 acres of fairly improved land in a good state of cultivation, the principal productions being corn, small grain and stock. In 1859, he was united in marriage to Caroline Skillern, daughter of Anderson and Polly (Spring) Skillern Mrs. Barnett was born in 1833 and died in 1863, having borne two children Joseph B. (who died in 1861), and Sarah C. In 1865 Mr. Barnett married Lillie A. Thompson, who was born in 1842, daughter of Jackson and Mary Thompson. This wife died in 1873, leaving one child, Martha J. In 1877 MR. Barnett took for his third wife Senith Welch, daughter of James and Senith Welch. She was born in 1835, and is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Our subject belongs to the Christian Church and is a Republican in Politics.