Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-William H. Barber
Portrait and Biographical
Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
WILLIAM H. BARBER, who is practically
living a retired life at his pleasant home
on section 18, Grant Township, two and a half
miles north of Abilene, is a representative of
one of the prominent pioneer families of Dickinson
County. He was born in Franklin County, Ind.,
on the 26th of June, 1834, and is a son of Eliphalet
and Ann (Chappelow) Barber, the former a
native of Tennessee, and the latter of Yorkshire,
England. Their marriage was celebrated in Indiana,
and they made their home in Franklin
County, that State, until 1866, when they emigrated
to Abilene, Kan., locating on a farm. Mr.
Barber became a leading and influential citizen of
the community, being prominently identified with
its history, especially during the early days when
he served as Police Judge, at the time when so
much trouble was experienced with the Texas
cattle dealers. The sketch of this worthy gentleman
is given on another page of this work. For a
number of years prior to his death he suffered with
paralysis. His wife, a most estimable lady, passed
away January 15, 1890, and a few days later Mr.
Barber was called to his final rest, on the 3d of
February, 1890, at the age of eighty years. His
son, Frank, a representative farmer, operates the
old homestead.
William H. Barber, the subject of this sketch,
learned the wagon-maker's trade in his native State
and afterward engaged in carpentering. In the
county of his nativity, he was married, June 20,
1858, to Miss Mary Ann McShane, who was born
in Dearborn County, Ind., January 6, 1836. In
1867, they came to Kansas, and the following year
Mr. Barber secured a homestead, upon which he
located in July. It has since been his place of
residence and the eighty acres are under a high
state of cultivation. He is principally engaged in
raising sweet potatoes and water-melons, having
about seven acres planted in the latter. His potatoes
yield from one thousand to fifteen hundred
bushels per year, and he also raises fruit. Success
has attended his efforts and a comfortable competence
is now his.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barber have been born the
following children: Frank Ernest, who is now a
hardware merchant of St. John, Kan.; Sarah Ann,
wife of Robert McGonigal, Mayor of a town in
Thomas County, Kan., and manager of a lumber
yard owned by a Chicago company; Eliphalet
William, who aids in the operation of the home
farm; Elvernon Lucetta, wife of Robert Cooley, of
this county; Daisy Stella and May Helen, two interesting
and intelligent daughters at home.
Mrs. Barber and her family are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. The household is
the abode of hospitality and the members of the
family rank high in social circles. After coming
to this county, Mr. Barber worked for three years
at carpentering and for some time devoted his energies
to farming, but is now practically living a
retired life, while his son operates his land. He
has been industrious and his life has been well
and worthily spent. Among the early settlers of
Dickinson County, he is numbered, and of its
growth and upbuilding he has been an eye-witness
for a quarter of a century.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP