Biography of Harry D. Karnes - McDowell Co. VA


The History of West Virginia, Old and New 
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., 
Chicago and New York, Volume II, 
pg. 523-524 


HARRY D. KARNES has served efficiently as Mercer County 
clerk of the Circuit Court since 1914, he having been re- 
elected to this office by a gratifying majority, in November, 
1920. He was born near Spanishburg, this county, Febru- 
ary 25, 1875, and is a son of Russell Floyd Karnes and 
Sarah Elizabeth (Thompson) Karnes, the former of whom 
was born in Summers County, this state, and the latter 
in Tazewell County; Virginia. Russell P. Karnes was born 
February 25, 1845, and his death occurred on the 6th of 
July, 1921, his wife having passed away February 14, 1812, 
at the age of sixty-two years. All of the married life of 
the parents was passed on their homestead farm. on Blue- 
stone River, Mercer County. Russell F. Karnes was one of 
the first republicans in Mercer County, and though he had 
no ambition for public office, he served one term as deputy 
sheriff of the county. He was a member of the Baptist 
Church and his wife held membership in the Methodist 
.Episcopal Church, South. The Karnes family was early 
settled at Salem, Virginia, whence the original representa- 
tives in the present State of West Virginia came and settled 
in Summers County, removal to Mercer County having been 
made about the year 1845. Russell F. Karnes was a loyal 
soldier of the Confederacy in the Civil war. He became 
the father of three children, of whom the eldest, Opie O., 
is serving as justice of the peace at Princeton; Harry D. 
of this sketch is the second of the number; and William 
A. is a farmer near Spanishburg, this county.
After having attended Princeton Academy, in his present 
home city Harry D. Karnes entered Emory & Henry College, 
Virginia, in which he was graduated in 1900, with the degree 
of Bachelor of Arts. He had taught two schools in Mercer 
County to aid in defraying the expenses of his college 
course, and between college semesters he likewise taught 
school two terms. After his graduation he became in- 
structor in mathematics and science at the Concord Normal 
School, Athens, West Virginia, and among those who at- 
tended his classes are many who are now prominent busi- 
ness and professional men.
In 1904 Mr. Karnes established his residence at Prince- 
ton, where he purchased an insurance agency and developed 
a large business as a life, fire and accident underwriter. 
This enterprise, conducted under the title of the People's 
Insurance Agency, is now one of the foremost in the city. 
Mr. Karnes in his early youth was determined to obtain 
a liberal education, and he is equally insistent at the present 
time in giving to his children the best possible educational 
advantages. He and his wife are active members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he is affiliated with 
the Masonic fraternity, including the Commandery of 
Knights Templars at Bramwell and the Temple of the 
Mystic Shrine in the City of Charleston. He is a member 
also of the Knights of Pythias and of the Mercer County 
Country Club.
On the 18th of June, 1902, was solemnized the marriage 
of Mr. Karnes and Miss Sallie E. Dangerfield, who was born 
and reared in Mercer County, a daughter of R. C. Danger- 
field. Mr. and Mrs. Karnes have five children: Elizabeth, 
Virginia, Margaret, Richard and Francis.


Submitted by Valerie F. Crook <vfcrook@earthlink.net> 

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