Nellie was adopted by Daniel E Barnes (1841-1911) and Sarah Jane Eaton Barnes (1847-1919). Her biological birth last name was Rooney - daughter of John Rooney (burial location unknown) & Maria Elizabeth "Libbie" Layman Rooney Nagle (buried Forest Hill Cemetery, International Falls, Minnesota).
obit "The Whitewater Register", Whitewater, Wisc, Sept 17, 1953
Mrs Wesley Asbury (Nellie Barnes), passed away at her son's home Tuesday at 2 o'clock after a brave but losing fight for life. She was operated upon July 1 and had declined in strength ever since. She has been at her son Russell's home on Esterly St. where she received devoted care from Russell, his wife and daughter.
Nellie Irene Barnes was born at DePere July 2, 1886. While still an infant, her parents moved here and she spent the remainder of her life in Whitewater. Mrs Asbury attended the local grade and high school On March 18, 1911, she and Wesley Asbury were married here. A daughter, Aletha preceded her in death. A member of the Methodist church, her pastor, Rev. Lewis Douglass will conduct services in the Hickory Funeral Home Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. Burial wil be in Hillside Cemetery.