Jared Barker

As printed in 1908

JARED BARKER, formerly sheriff of Summit County, resides on his farm of forty-four acres, situatedin Portage Township, where he is engaged in making such improvements as will make his one of the leading dairy farms of this section. Neither time nor expense is being spared in the construction of sanitary buildings and wholesome surroundings. Mr. Barker was born March 14, 1861. at Bath, Summit County. Ohio, and is a son of William and Eliza (Hutchinson) Barker.

Lanson Barker, the grandfather of Jared Barker, was born in Connecticut, November 17. 1791. and ho was a son of Jared Barker, who was born in England. Lanson Barker became a resident of the State of New York and. in 1809, he was married to Betsey Phelps, who was born in Connecticut. August 15, 1791. They moved to Ohio and first bought land in Holmes County, removing from it to Massillon, but soon after to Granger Township, Medina County, where they resided a number of years. Still later. Lanson Barker bought land at Rovalton,

Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where his wife died in 1847, his death following in 1855. They had eight children: Roxie A., William,

Jared, John, Lyman, Mary, E races and Nelson.

William Barker, father of Jared, was born in the State of New Wrk, July 30, 181.7, and accompanied his parents to Ohio. In 1849,.he went to California but soon returned, owing to poor health, and in 1853, he purchased the farm in Bath Township. At that time it was all covered with timber, which he cleared off and erected substantial buildings, developing subsequently a good farm. He engaged also in manufacturing to some extent. In politics lie was a strong supporter of the Republican party and held many offices ol trust. He died February 10, 1896. In 1856 he married Eliza Hutchinson, who was born April 8, 1826, who died October 2, 1876. She was a daughter of Warren and Martha (Mc- Laughin) Hutchinson. They had four children, namely: Alonzo, who was born in 1857; Jared and a twin brother, the latter of whom died in infancy; and Bettie, who was born in 1867, died in infancy.

Jared Barker was reared and educated in Bath Township, where he owns a magnificent farm of 267 acres, located in the Yellow Creek bottoms. In addition to farming and stock-raising, Mr. Barker engaged in lumbering, owning a planing mill and a sawmill, lie purchased his dairy farm of forty-four acres. June 1, 1907. Until 1902, he continued to live in Bath Township, when, having been elected sheriff of Summit County, he moved to Akron and resided there during his two terms in office. Ilis administration of the responsible office of sheriff gave universal satisfaction to all law-abiding citizens and he retired with a fine record as to efficiency. Since then he has devoted a large part of his attention to developing his dairy farm along first-class lines, it being his idea to supply certified milk, absolutely pure. This is a laudable enterprise w hich engaged (lie attention of the public at large.

On September 13, 1883, Mr. Barker was married to Almira Myers, who was born

February 24. 1862, at Rome City, Indiana, and is a daughter of William and Sarah (AVeikel) Myers. The parents of Mrs. Barker moved from Ohio to Indiana, in 1856, settling in Noble County, where they are prominent in every circle. Mr. Myers is one of the largest agriculturists in that section. They had four children, namely: Samuel, born March 27, 1857; Ellen, born June 22, 1858, who married R. Shroyer, of Indiana; Almira, Mrs. Barker; and Charles, who was born April 7. 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members of the German Lutheran Church.

Mi*, and Mrs. Barker have five children, namely: Pearl, born January 7, 1886; Bessie, born October 25, 1889; Mary, born October 21, 1891; Sarah, born August 31, 1890; and William Barker, born July 7, 1898. Mrs. Barker and family are members of the Disciples Church. Politically, Mr. Barker is a stanch Republican, casting his first Presidential vote in support of Hon. James G. Blaine. Mr. Barker is one of the representative men of Summit County.

As printed in Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.