I've only heard the background info about Westendorf's wife going back to Ogdensburg, NY to visit family...

Here's a link for the vintage sheet music for BARNEY TAKE ME HOME AGAIN from The Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet Music.

Also, this is some of the information (from Levy site) found on the cover page:

Title: Barney, Take Me Home Again! Song and Chorus.
Composer, Lyricist, Arranger: Words by Arthur W. French. Music by Geo. W. Persley.
Publication: Cincinnati: John Church & Co., 1875.
First Line: Barney, dear, I'd give the world to see my home across the sea
First Line of Chorus: Oh, take me home, yes, take me home, to where my heart will know no pain
Dedicatee: To My Friend Thos. P. Westendorf, Plainfield, Ind.