Biographical Sketch of Hon. Isaac D. BARNARD (1893); Chester County, PA

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Source: "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsylvania,
comprising a historical sketch of the county," by Samuel T. Wiley and edited by
Winfield Scott Garner, Gresham Publishing Company, Philadelphia, PA, 1893, page
204.

"HON. ISAAC D. BARNARD, United States senator from 1827 to 1831, and the most
distinguished of his name, was born in 1791 at West Chester, where he died
February 18, 1834.  The Barnard family takes its name from Roche-Bernard, of
Normandy, France, in which country Barnard has been a baptismal name since the
eighth century, having been derived from northern mythology, signifying bold-
ness.  Richard Barnard, the great-grandfather of Senator Barnard, came to
Chester county prior to 1686.  Many of his descendants have been active and
prominent in civil, political and military affairs.

"Isaac D. Barnard received a good education, was admitted to the bar May 1,
1816, and practiced his profession for many years.  He served with great
bravery and distinction at Plattsburg and Lyon Creek in the war of 1812, and
was promoted from captain to major for meritorious service.  Leaving the army
he served successively as district attorney, State senator and secretary of
the Commonwealth.  He was elected to the United States senate in 1827, but
resigned in 1831 on account of ill health, while the New York papers were
demanding for him a seat in the cabinet.  He served as a major-general of
militia, declined the judgeship of Chester county, and was barely defeated for
the nomination for governor in 1829 by a slight but jealous defection in his
own county.  Isaac D. Barnard, by his courage, boldness and dauntless character
was always popular with the people whose interests he ever protected and
defended."