-------------------------------
from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906
Charles Lloyd Barnhouse, who in 1888 began publishing music for bands and orchestras and has since continued the business, having for fifteen years been located in Oskaloosa, where his trade has been increasing from year to year, was born in Grafton, West Virginia, in 1865. His father, George R. Barnhouse, was a native of Marion county, West Virginia, and was a railroad machinist or blacksmith in the railroad shops. He came of German descent and displayed many of the sterling characteristics of his ancestors from the fatherland. During the Civil war he was in the government employ as a Farrier and blacksmith. At one time he lived in Illinois, but afterward returned to West Virginia. Subsequently, however, he again went to Illinois, settling in Aurora, where he was employed in the railroad shops up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1901, when he was fifty-seven years of age. He had membership in the Methodist Protestant church and was an ardent republican, unfaltering in his support of the principles of the party. He married Harriet S. Davis, who was also born in Marion county, West Virginia, and who is now living in Oskaloosa at the age of fifty-seven years. She, too, is a member of the Methodist Prostestant church. In their family were two sons and two daughters: Charles Lloyd; Lillie C., now deceased; Daisy C., the wife of John W. Tibbs; and Herbert W., a music printer residing in Oskaloosa. Charles L. Barnhouse pursued his early education in the schools of Grafton, West Virginia, and early manifested much musical taste and talent. He became an expert cornet player and went upon the road with a theatrical company, being thus engaged for about three years. He afterward had charge of the band at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, for three years and at Burlington, Iowa for one year. In 1891 he came to Oskaloosa and took charge of the Iowa Brigade Band, of which be was leader for fifteen years. In the meantime, in 1888, he had begun publishing music for bands, orchestras and miscellaneous musical organizations. He entered upon this work at Mount Pleasant and continued in the business in Burlington and Oskaloosa. He now has a well equipped printing plant and is conducting a successful business, which is increasing from year to year. His musical publications are in demand in all parts of the world and he has a large trade through out the United States and Canada. His own compositions and his arrangements of music are for bands and orchestras. In 1886 Mr. Barnhouse was married to Miss Josephine B. Scott, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1868 and was a daughter of J. H. and Mary E. (Hare) Scott. In the family are four children: Jamie M., Lloyd, Dorothy and Irene. The parents are members of the Congregational church and Mr. Barnhouse belongs to the Masonic, Knights of Pythias and Elks lodges. He is serving as a member of the board of trustees of his church and is interested in its progress and also in the work of the different fraternal organizations with which he is connected. In politics he is a republican. His thorough understanding of the art of music and his love therefor combined with native talent has enabled him to give to the world many interesting productions of this character and his business both as a composer and publisher is proving profitable and gratifying.
Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy