Albany county has been signally favored in the class of men who have occupied her public positions, for on the whole they have been loyal to her interests and progressive in the discharge of their duties, thus contributing to the growth and development of the county and to its stability. Such a one is Tom C. Barratt. who is now filling the position of county assessor.
    He was born in Burton-upon-Trent, England, August 3, 1875, a son of Reginald Blake and Mary (Hobday) Barratt, who have spent their entire lives in England and are still residents of Burton-upon-Trent, where for many generations the family has been represented. The father is well known in connection with the colliery business in that country. To him and his wife were born six children: Reginald H., who is now living in Joplin, Missouri; Alfred E., still in England; Mrs. Mary Stanley, Mrs. Jessie Hadfield and Mrs. Elsie Xadin, all of England; and Tom C. who was the second in order of birth.
    In early life Tom C. Barratt began his education in the schools of England and after attending the grammar schools continued his studies in St. Oswald's College at Ellesmere, England, where he was graduated with the class of 1890. He then turned his attention to farming, which he followed in connection with his father for a time, but in 1896 he determined to try his fortune in other lands and left England for South Africa. There he was employed at the government experiment station at Kimberley for nine months and then engaged in mining near Johannesburg, residing in that country for a number of years. In 1902 he arrived in Joplin, Missouri, where he resumed the occupation of mining, with which he was connected until June, 1906. At that date he arrived in Laramie and pursued a special course in mineralogy in the State University of Wyoming. He was afterward connected with the placer mines at Douglas Creek and eventually he became warehouse man at the rolling mills, being thus employed until the plant was destroyed by fire on the 8^th of November, 1910. He also worked at the roundhouse until called to public office, being appointed to the position of deputy county clerk in January, 1911. He served in that capacity until January, 1917. when he assumed the duties of the office of assessor, to which he had been elected the previous fall. He is now serving in that capacity and is making an excellent record by the prompt and faithful manner in which he is discharging his duties. He regards a public office as a public trust and is most loyal to the interests committed to his care.
    On the 2^d of October, 1907, Mr. Barratt was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Johnson, of Laramie, a daughter of William and Annie Johnson, who were pioneer settlers of this section of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Barratt have become parents of two children: Tom W. H., who was born in Laramie. December 8, 1908, and is now in school; and Donald H., who was born April 9, 1910, and is also attending school.
    The parents are prominent socially and they are consistent members of the Episcopal church. Mr. Barratt belongs to the Masonic fraternity and also to the Woodmen of the World. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and for four years he served as a member of the central committee, taking an active part in promoting democratic interests and successes. He is one of the leading young men of this section, standing high as a public official, and is one of the valued and representative citizens of Laramie, where he has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.