Dr. Raymond Barber, a physician and surgeon of Rawlins who is district surgeon for the Union Pacific Railroad Company, was born in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, June 12, 1875, a son of Elliston P. Barber, who is a native of the Keystone state and a representative of one of the old families of New Jersey. The founder of the family in America came to the new world at an early period in its colonization. The father was a successful coal dealer in Doylestown for many years, conducting a business of large and profitable proportions, but is now living retired. He wedded Mary Gargis Rich, who was also born in Pennsylvania and belonged to one of the old families of that state of English origin. She died at the age of thirty-four years. In the family were four children, two of whom have passed away, while those still living are: Raymond, of this review; and William H., who is residing in Eaton, Colorado, where he is cashier of the Eaton National Bank.
    Dr. Barber mastered the branches of learning taught in the public and high schools of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, where he was graduated with the class of 1895. Following his graduation he became associated with his father in the coal trade but at length determined to turn his attention from commercial to professional interests and in 1900 matriculated in the Jefterson Medical College at Philadelphia, where he completed the full course of study and was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1904. He then served for one year as an interne in the Samaritan Hospital at Philadelphia and thus put his theoretical knowledge to the practical test, gaining that broad and valuable experience which only hospital practice brings. At the end of that time he came west to, Wyoming, making his way to Cheyenne to visit his uncle. Dr. Amos W. Barber, now deceased, who was at that time one of the old-time residents of Cheyenne and a prominent physician of the city. This and the opportunities which the west offered caused Dr. Barber to locate in Wyoming and on the 25^th of September, 1905, he arrived in Rawlins, where he entered upon active practice, in which he has since continuously and successfully engaged. He has not concentrated his efforts along a single branch of the profession but has continued in the general practice of medicine and surgery and his business has reached extensive proportions, while the results that have followed his efforts have been most satisfactory to his patients. Broad reading and investigation keep him in touch with the trend of modern professional thought and progress and the most scientific methods are utilized in his care of the sick. He served as county health officer under the administration of Governor Brooks, being appointed in 1907 and continuing in the position until Governor Carey went into office. He was physician to the penitentiary from 1907 until 1911 and during Governor Kendrick's administration also served. He is now the county physician and is also the district surgeon for the Union Pacific Railroad Company and surgeon for the Utah Construction Company. In addition he is accorded a large private practice and ranks with the leading physicians of western Wyoming.
    In New York city, on the 20^th of January, 1912, Dr. Barber was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Gardner, a native of Michigan. Her father died during her childhood and her mother, Mrs. Florence J. Gardner, who was one of the early residents of Rawlins, now makes her home in New York city. Dr. and Mrs. Barber have a very beautiful residence in Rawlins and occupy a prominent position in social circles.
    In politics the doctor is a republican, while fraternally he is a prominent Mason, belonging to lodge, chapter, consistory and Mystic Shrine, being a past potentate of Korein Temple, A. A. O. X. M. S. He is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and the Phi Apha Sigma, a medical fraternity of Philadelphia. His interests are broad and varied and upon all questions of vital importance he keeps abreast with the thinking men of the age. Those who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, esteem him as a man of high purpose, while in all matters of citizenship he is recognized as a man of public spirit and in his profession, actuated by advanced ideals, he is making his work of great worth to his fellowmen.