Biographical Sketch of

Benjamin A. Barr

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 368 - 369


Benjamin A. Barr, a prominent business man of Pine River, Waushara County,
is a native of Ohio. He was born in Mt. Gilead, the present county seat of
Morrow County, on the 14th of January, 1835, and is of Holland and Irish
extraction. His father, Michael D. Barr, was born near Millersburg in
Holmes County, Ohio, Nov. 17, 1809, and throughout his entire life followed
the wagon maker's trade. His original ancestors came to this country from
Holland, and were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania. Mr. Barr
married Sarah E. Thornburg, who was born in Ohio, in 1812, and is a
daughter of William Thornburg. Both her parents were natives of Ireland.
Seven children, four sons and three daughters, were born of their union:
Susan, Alfred, Benjamin A., Nancy Ann, William, Barbara, and Henry
Harrison. Mr. Barr died April 22, 1845. In political sentiment he was a
Whig.


The subject of this sketch remained in Morrow County, Ohio, with his
parents until he had almost attained his majority. He remained at home with
his mother, mostly working as a farm hand, until seventeen years of age,
when he began learning the cabinet maker's trade with Clinton Peck, of
Westfield, Ohio, serving an apprenticeship of two years. He then engaged in
job work for about six months, after which he came to Pine River, the date
of his arrival being May 17, 1855. The whole country round was but sparsely
settled, and but a few buildings marked the site of the present village.
During the first summer succeeding his arrival, Mr. Barr worked at his
trade for Samuel Cook, and in the following autumn was employed by the day
as a carpenter for two or three months.


One of the most important events of his life occurred about this time. On
Christmas Day of that year, he wedded Miss Caroline McClead, who was born
near Westfield, Ohio, Sept. 4, 1837, and there resided until she grew to
womanhood, when with her parents, she settled on a farm three-quarters of a
mile southwest of Pine River. She was one of nine children, and the
daughter of Ira and Louisa (Wood) McClead, natives of Morrow County, Ohio.
Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Barr: Ellsworth, born Nov. 22, 1856,
in the village of Pine River, married Maggie Dudley, and resides on a farm
two miles west of the village; Charles, born in Pine River, June 25, 1858,
wedded Ella Bartram, and was killed while at work in a sawmill, March 9,
1888. His wife, who survives him, resides with her parents in Waupaca
County. Four children were born of their union, but one died in infancy,
Carrie B., the next of the fmaily, who was born Nov. 2, 1863, is a teacher
in the High School of Berlin; Nettie, born Jan. 8, 1865, is teaching school
in Saxville; Benjamin A., Jr., is still at home; Frankie, born Oct. 12,
1880, died Feb. 20, 1886.


Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Barr removed to the village of
Auroraville and engaged in cabinet making, working for a short time for
Matthew Brothers. His next employer was George Heald, with whom he remained
until May 2, 1856, making bedsteads and doing general cabinet work. In May,
1856, he rmeoved to Centerville, and worked for Mr. Barnard for a short
time, after which he entered the employ of Aaron Kelly, working as a
carpenter and joiner during the remainder of the summer. In the following
fall he purchased a house and lot in Pine River, where he has since made
his home. During the summer he was employed by various persons at
carpentering and cabinet making until 1873, when he purchased the Doolittle
House, formerly known as the Frisbie House, which he carried on for a
period of ten years. In 1880, he built the Barr & Frisbie & Hall, which is
used as a place of public entertainment. In 1883, he built the store room
which he now occupies, since which time he has been engaged in the general
merchandise business, and has been quite successful in that life. It will
have been seen that Mr. Barr has been prominently connected with the
upbuilding of Pine River and the promotion of the public interests and is
now one of the leading merchants of the village. He also owns a good farm
of seventy acres adjoining the corporation limits. He is truly a self-made
man. Starting in life a poor boy with only a common-school education,
during his first year of apprenticeship he received only the meager sum of
$5 per month, and the next year his wages were increased $1. Later he
accumulated $84 as the result of his industry and perseverance, and with
that amount started for the West, with a party of fifty-three persons. They
journeyed across a wild country in wagons, sleeping twenty-four nights on
the ground. He made his first purchase of land, a tract of eighty acres
situated five miles north of Pine River, in 1855, at a cost of $199, but
several years sold for $340. Mr. Barr was a Republican until 1884, since
which time he has voted with the Democratic Party. He was a member of the
Board of Supervisors for two years, and socially is a member of the I. O.
G. T.; of which he has been Chief Templar for several years. His wife has
long been a member of the Congregational Church, and both are held in high
regard throughout the community, being numbered among the best citizens of
Waushara County.






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