Biography
Franklin Everts Barnes was born on August 28, 1868, in North Lawrence, N.Y. At the age of 19, he left school and entered the hardware business for two years. Afterward, he spent another two years employed by a publishing house as a traveling salesman for two years.
It was the Christian influence of his parents, coupled with the advisement of his former instructor and general secretary of the YMCA of Erie, Pennsylvania, who helped Barnes realize his desire to serve young men and his community to the best of his abilities.
That led Barnes to the International YMCA Training School, now Springfield College, in the fall of 1891.
Barnes graduated from the Secretarial program of the Training School in 1893 and immediately went to work as General Secretary of the Woburn, Massachusetts, branch of the Association.
After a brief tenure with the YMCA, Barnes partnered in two business ventures, the latter of which, Franklin E. Barnes Company Dry Goods Store, he owned for 35 years with his sister.
Centrally located on Main Street in Winchester, Massachusetts, many residents of the Boston suburb were saddened to hear of his passing and felt the closing of his store marked the end of an era.
Barnes also taught Sunday School at his Church for twenty years and served as Deacon and Treasurer as well.
His success in business came after he graduated from Columbia University after deciding he wanted to further his education.
Barnes did not make it back to Springfield College's campus until 1933 when he arrived for his 40th Reunion, which was made mention of during the ceremonies.