Phineas Barr, grandfather of William J., was born January 10, 1794, in Deerfield, Mass. He served in the War of 1812, while his father (Cornelius) came and located their new home (about 1811) in Elba. Upon his discharge Phineas joined his parents. He married and had five children, one of whom, Julius J., was born January 15, 1826, and is a farmer. He married, April 9, 1861, Mary A., daughter of Freeman D. Lake, of Batavia, and they have had three children, viz.: one deceased; Freeman P.; and William J., who was born January 12, 1862, received a common school education and attended boarding school in Batavia, and taught several terms. He went to the Normal School in Owego, from which he graduated in 1885. He has devoted his entire attention to teaching and educational interests, and has achieved an honorable position among the educators of the State. In the fall of 1887 he was e1ected school commissioner of the County for three years.

FROM: Gazetteer and Biographical Record of Genesee County, New York, Edited by: F. W. Beers, J.W. Vose & Co., Publishers, Syracuse, N. Y. 1890