Robert N. Barber

As printed in 1910

ROBERT N. BARBER.

One of the central figures in the banking circles of western Nodaway county is the gentleman whose name forms the caption to this review. Prominent in business circles, with a reputation that has won him a name for sound judgment and high-grade business ability, there is today no more prominent or highly esteemed man in Nodaway township, with the history of which he has been identified for a number of years.

Robert N. Barber is a native of Nodaway county, having been born in Monroe township, on November 21. 1874. He is a son of Newton H. and Huldah (Martin) Barber, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Alabama. The paternal grandparents, William and Eliza (Hammond) Bar ber, who were of English nativity, came to America and settled in Ohio in the early history of that state, and there lived on a farm. The subject’s maternal grandparents, James and Lucy (Putnam) Martin, lived for many years in Alabama. During the Civil war he and one son served in the Union army, the father dying of exposure and the son being killed in battle. Newton H. Barber moved with his parents from Ohio to near Quincy, Illinois, where they followed farming until about 1870, when they came to Nodaway county, Missouri, locating in Monroe township. There the elder members of the family spent the remainder of their days, their deaths occurring at Skidmore. Newton H. Barber acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he operated until 1881, when he moved to Nodaway township and secured one hundred and sixty acres, to which he devoted his attention up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1883. He was the father of three children, all of whom are still living. Politically he was a member of the old Green back party and his religious membership was with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he took an active interest.

Robert X. Barber secured his elementary education in the public schools of Burlington Junction, supplementing this with a commercial course at Maryville, completing his studies in 1892. From that time until 1898 he was engaged in operating the home farm in Nodaway township, but in the year named he accepted the position of assistant cashier of the Northwestern Bank of Missouri at Burlington Junction, of which he became cashier in 1904. He is still the incumbent of this responsible position and has general over sight of the bank's affairs, much of its success being due to his business ability and sound judgment. He is also interested in the real estate business, having an accurate knowledge of land values and handling a number of important deals.

In 1901 Mr. Barber was united in marriage to Mrs. Amy Staples, the daughter of David Boyer. This union has been blessed in the birth of two interesting children, Huldah M. and Robert N., Jr. Politically, Mr. Barber is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, though in no sense a seeker after public office. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. His religious membership is with the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he gives a liberal support. A courteous and genial gentleman, Mr. Barber has won a host of warm personal friends and is well liked by all who know him. He is considered a strong business man and his integrity and honesty of purpose are above suspicion.

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.