John Knisley Barber

GEDCOM Note

John K. Barber was educated in the schools of Union County, Pennsylvania, and when a young man worked at the carpenter trade in his native state. A short time after his marriage, he came with his family to Iowa and located near Oakfield, in Audubon County. In 1882 he moved to Shelby County and rented a farm in Harlan Township, which he operated for four years, after which he purchased a farm in Polk Township, where he lived for 22 years, and then rented it and moved to Kirkman, where he is now living a retired life. He served as school director in Polk township, and since moving to Kirkman has served as Mayor and Alderman of the city.

Our Great-grandfather, John Knisley Barber and his wife Sarah Harter Barber first lived after their marriage (1855) near Hamburg, Clinton County, Pennsylvania. Later they lived in the Nippenose Valley on the Susquehanna River, not far West of Williamsport, PA in Lycoming County. Some time around 1868 to 1869, they brought their family directly from Pennsylvania to Oakfield, Audubon County, Iowa, and thence to a farm not far from Kirkman, in Shelby County, Iowa. Family lore has it that "Grandpa Wolfe" (on the matriarchal side) convinced several of them to come out to Iowa to develop land that he had acquired. John K. is said to have been a carpenter who supervised the construction of all the buildings on the farms in Iowa. Of course, like everyone of the period, he engaged in farming. From mindspring.com/barber, Iowa.

Birth: Mar. 25, 1838 Death: Jan. 12, 1921

Son of Rev. James Barber & Mary Maize

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AUTHOR: Ken Akers DATE: 1/6/2014 at 21:22:59

Surnames: BARBER,THOMAS,HARTER

Audubon County Journal (IA) Thursday, Jan. 13, 1921, page 1

Former Oakfield Township Resident Dies

J. K. Barber, an old-time resident of Oakfield township, passed away at his home in Kirkman, Iowa, Wednesday, January 12, 1920 (1921). His death was caused by heart trouble and old age.

Mr. Barber located in Oakfield fifty-one years ago, where he resided until about thirty years ago when he moved to Kirkman. He is a grandfather of Mrs. Earl Thomas of this city (Exira).

Family links:

Spouse:

 Sarah Elizabeth Harter Barber (1839 - 1914)

Children:

 Samuel Davis Barber (1861 - 1864)*

Burial: Rose Hill Cemetery Kirkman Shelby County Iowa, USA Plot: Addition 8, Lot 21, Plot 1

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=23787514