Joseph Barnhill, born in Oldham County, Ky., June 29, 1821, was a son of James and Hannah (Boone) Barnhill. Joseph was the youngest son and seventh child of a family of nine children. He was about three years old when he came with his parents to Daviess County; he was but five years old when his father died. He then lived on the farm, with his mother. July 17, 1845, he married Siberi A.B. Martin, a native of Shelby County, Ky., born in 1825. She was a daughter of Mansfield and Susan (Cox) Martin, natives of Virginia. They came to Daviess County at an early day. He is still living, and although an old man is a good shot with a rifle today, and shoots squirrels out of the tallest trees and is pretty hard to beat at 100 yards. After his marriage Mr. Barnhill settled on the old homestead farm, where he still resides. He and his wife have had a family of ten children- Menerva A., born June 16, 1846, married William A. Cook; Nancy, born Oct. 23, 1847, died Sept 8, 1865; Mary C., born Feb19, 1849, died December 1851; Drusilla, born May 19, 1851, married R.H. White; Susan H., born Oct 28, 1852, died Feb 10, 1873; Robert M. born Nov. 23, 1854, married Mary P. Harrison Nov. 16, 1882, a native of Davies County, born Sept. 20 1858 (he is a Mason and member of the Joseph Branham Lodge, 436); Sarah E., born Aug. 21, 1857, married David Russell; Lucretia D., born Aug. 14, 1859; Malcena, born July 7, 1861, married J.V. Martin; Viola, born Nov. 7, 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Barnhill and family are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Barnhill owns a farm of 218 acres, 100 acres under cultivation. In politics he is a Democrat. He is of English and German descent. He had held various local offices of trust and has the confidence and respect of all who know him.

Source: History of Daviess County, Kentucky. Chicago: Interstate Publishing Co., 1883. Print.