JAMES W. BARNHILL was born in Hopkins County, Ky., December 16, 1848, a son of James B. and Emma (Wynns) Barnhill, both natives of North Carolina, and of English descent. He was employed on his father's farm until he attained his majority, when his father gave him a part of the old homestead, upon which he erected a house and engaged in farming until May, 1883, when his house was destroyed by fire. He then left the farm which he still owns and came to Providence, where he now resides. In 1884, he erected a new and commodious hotel at Providence. It is a neat, snug building, conveniently located and elegantly furnished with all modern improvements, while the table is always furnished with the best the market affords. It is universally conceded by the traveling public to be one of the very best hotels in western Kentucky. Mr. Barnhill and his estimable wife are well qualified for the position of landlord and landlady. Mr. Barnhill represents the old reliable Continental Insurance Company of New York. He was married, March 7, 1872, to Miss Annie M. Eades, a native of Muhlenburgh County, Ky. They have one son—Claude H. Mr. and Mrs. Barnhill are members of the United Baptist Church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics a Democrat.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Page 1024.