Fred C. Barber

As printed in 1910

FRED C. BARBER.

Nodaway is a county of magnificent and productive farms, in this respect being one of the most favored sections of the great commonwealth of Missouri, and among the fine farms of the county must be numbered that owned by the subject of this sketch and which lies in section 35, in the north western part of Monroe township. Persistent industry, sound judgment and wise management have been the elements which have contributed to Mr. Bar ber’s success in his chosen vocation and as a representative citizen of his community he is entitled to representation in a work of this character.

Mr. Barber was born in Adams county, Illinois, in February, 1857, and is a son of William and Eliza (Hammond) Barber. He was reared on the home farm until sixteen years of age, when, in 1873, the family moved to Nodaway county and located in Green township, where they subsequently bought a fine farm in the southwestern part of the township. In October, 1883, the subject married Laura Grigsby, the daughter of Capt. John Grigsby, whose personal sketch appears elsewhere in this work. After his marriage Mr. Barbel bought the home farm from his parents, the latter moving then to Skidmore, where they spent the remainder of their days. In November, 1892, Mr. and Mrs. Barber moved to his present fine farm, to the cultivation of which he has since given his earnest attention. The place, which comprises four hundred and eighty acres, is most eligibly situated and has been improved to such an extent that it is now numbered among the best farms of the township. In addition to this farm, which is all in one body, Mr. Barber owns one hundred and twenty acres of land in section 1, Monroe township, eighty acres in section 15, the same township, and one hundred and eight-four acres in Green township, making his total land holdings about eight hundred and sixtvfour acres. Mr. Barber is thoroughly practical in his farming operations, and is enterprising and progressive in his ideas, keeping in touch with advanced ideas relating to the science of husbandry. He owns an attractive and comfortable residence, and the general appearance of his place indicates the owner to be a man of good judgment and excellent taste. Right in the prime of his life, he takes an intelligent interest in the affairs of the community, and is always found on the right side of every question affecting the welfare of those about him. He takes a marked interest in educational matters and has seen to it that his children have received good education.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Barber, namely: John \Y.. Lillis and William F. Lillis died in infancy. John, who is at home with his father, received a good public school education, and supplemented by four

* years' attendance at the Missouri Wesleyan College at Cameron and also attended the college at Baker. William Frederick is now a student in the Missouri Wesleyan College. The mother of these children died on December 6, 1902, and on June 1, 1905, Mr. Barber married Viola McNutt. She was born in Indiana, but spent the greater part of her childhood at Blandinsville, Illinois. Her father was a well known minister of the Baptist church. From Illinois, Mrs. Barber went to Kansas with her parents and there completed her education. Subsequently she engaged in teaching school, being located at Beloit, Kansas, seven years, going then to Princeton, Indiana, where she engaged in teaching until her marriage to Mr. Barber.

Politically, Mr. Barber renders a stanch allegiance to the Republican party. He is not an office seeker, but while living in Green township he served efficiently several years as a justice of the peace. He and his wife are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which they give an earnest support. In every relation of life he has performed well his part and because of his sterling integrity of character and his success in life he has won and retains the sincere respect of the entire community in which he lives.

As printed in Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.