Homer Griswold Barber (November 25, 1830 – March 10, 1909) was a Michigan politician.
Homer G. Barber | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Michigan Senate from the 20th district | |
| In office January 4, 1871 – December 31, 1872 | |
| Preceded by | George Thomas |
| Succeeded by | Mark S. Brewer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 25, 1830 Benson, Vermont |
| Died | March 10, 1909 (aged 78) Vermontville, Michigan |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses |
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| Alma mater | Vermontville Academy |
Early life
editHomer G. Barber was born on November 25, 1830, in Benson, Vermont, to parents Edward Hinman Barber and Rebecca Barber. In 1839, Homer moved with his parents to Vermontville, Michigan. His parents were among the original colonists of Vermontville, and he grew up on their farm there.[1] There, he was educated at the Vermontville Academy.[2]
Career
editAround 1849, Barber served as a clerk for the postmaster in Kalamazoo. A year after this, in 1850, Barber went to California for the gold rush. He sailed to California, going under Cape Horn on the route. Barber mined in California for two years before returning to Vermontville.[2] Barber used the profit from this endeavor to start a successful career as a merchant. In 1861, Barber was appointed the Postmaster of Vermontville, a position he held for eleven years.[2] On November 4, 1870, Barber was elected to the Michigan Senate, where he represented the 20th district from January 4, 1871, to December 31, 1872.[3] In 1872, Barber engaged in banking, establishing his own private village bank.[1] From 1872 to 1873, Barber served as trustee of Vermontville. In 1874, Barber served as village president of Vermontville. Barber served again as village president of Vermontville from 1876 to 1879. Barber served as a Vermontville school board trustee in 1880.[4]
Personal life
editOn March 23, 1853, Barber married Lucy Clarissa Dwight. Together, they had three children. Barber also adopted one daughter. Barber was widowed upon Lucy's death on May 1, 1893. On April 7, 1894, Barber remarried to Gertrude E. Wood.[1] Barber was a Congregationalist, and was said to have a "liberal views on religion."[2] Barber was a Freemason.[4]
Death
editIn February 1909, Barber contracted influenza, which lead to his deteriorating health.[5] Barber died on March 10, 1909. He was interred at Woodlawn Cemetery in Vermontville on March 12.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c Michigan Historical Publishing Association (c. 1915). The past and present of Eaton County, Michigan, historically together with biographical sketches of its leading and prominent citizens and illustrious dead. University of Michigan.
- ^ a b c d Michigan Historical Commission (1924). Michigan Biographies: Including Members of Congress, Elective State Officers, Justices of the Supreme Court, Members of the Michigan Legislature, Board of Regents of the University of Michigan, State Board of Agriculture and State Board of Education, Volume 1.
- ^ a b "Legislator Details - Homer Griswold Barber". Library of Michigan. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
- ^ a b Durant, Samuel W. (1880). History of Ingham and Eaton Counties, Michigan With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Their Prominent Men and Pioneers. Brookhaven Press. ISBN 9781581030501.
- ^ "H. G. Barber Grip Victim". Detroit Free Press. March 11, 1909. p. 6. Retrieved July 29, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.