Biography of James A. Barnes, page 745. Memorial Record of Northeastern 
Indiana, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1896.

	James A. Barns, proprietor and editor of the Courier, at Auburn, 
Indiana, was born in Onondaga county, New York near Memphis, June 7, 1832, 
and is the son of Cyrus and Eliza (Elliott) Barns.  He was reared to farm 
life, his father removing to La Porte county, Indiana, and taking up a 
tract of land there in 1839. He was educated in the common schools and in 
Hillsdale (Michigan) College, where he pursued his studies from 1855 until 
1859.  He afterward engaged in teaching in the public schools of Michigan 
and northern Indiana.  He was for two years principal of the high school 
at Wolf Lake, Noble county, Indiana, for two years at Pierceton, Kosciusko 
county, for a similar period at Ligonier, Noble county, and one year in 
Waterloo, Indiana.  In July, 1870, he purchased the Air Line, which he 
sold in December,1870.  He was afterward for ten years County Superintendent 
of Schools, and his long continued service in that capacity well indicates 
his efficiency and fidelity to duty.  In December, 1880, he purchased the 
Courier, which he has owned and published since, and on the 4th of March, 
1895, he began the publication of the Daily Courier, the only daily in the 
county. The weekly paper has the largest circulation of all papers in the 
county, and is one of the best appointed newspaper offices in this section 
of the State, with fully equipped job rooms and every facility for turning 
out first-class work.  He edits a bright, clean and interesting journal 
and is meeting with good success in his business.  
	In Peirceton, Indiana, on the 8th of December, 1867, Mr. Barns was 
united in marriage with Miss Alicia H. Lamson, daughter of La Fayette and 
Phoebe (Scott) Lamson. They have one daughter, Nellie L. born November 9, 
1874. Mrs. Barns is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
	Politically, Mr. Barns is a stanch Democrat and is deeply interested 
in the growth and success of his party. Through the columns of his paper 
and in other ways he aids in every enterprise that is calculated to prove 
of public benefit, and is deeply interested in the welfare of his adopted 
county.

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com