Elizabeth village is quite notable as the residence of a goodly number of the pioneer settlers of this county, many of these having pleasant and comfortable homes within its limits. Among them may be mentioned the subject of this record, who has contributed his full share to the development of the county and its various interest, in the transformation of a portion of its soil to the state of cultivation, and performing the duties inseparable from the useful member of a community. He is one of the many, who, in their younger years braved the dangers of an Atlantic voyage, to seek a location in a new country which opened up to them better opportunities than they could have enjoyed on their native soil. He was born in Durham County, England, May 13, 1811, and is consequently approaching his four-score years. His life has been that of an upright and reliable citizen who has acquired a competency by the sweat of his brow, and who owes no man anything.

Robert Barker, Sr., the father of our subject, was a cooper by occupation in his native England, and married Miss Mary Walker, a maiden who grew up not far from the childhood home of her husband. Their family consisted of thirteen children, and Robert, with the others, received a common-school education. Within a few days of reaching his majority, in the spring of 1832, bidding adieu to the friends and associations of his childhood, he embarked at Hull on a sailing-vessel, and after an ocean voyage of nearly eight weeks, landed in Quebec, Canada. He remained a resident of the Sherbrooke District until 1840, then emigrated to the vicinity of White Oak, Wis., making the entire distance from Richmond, Lower Canada, with a wagon and team, and bringing with him his wife and two children. They traveled along the upper line of New York State, passing through the city of Buffalo, whence they proceeded to Detroit, and from there through to Joliet, to their destination, making about 200 miles per week, and resting on the Sabbath.

In White Oak, Wis., Mr. Barker occupied himself at various occupations until the fall of 1843. He then came to this county, and shortly after his arrival purchased a stock of goods and established himself as a general merchant. He prosecuted his business until 1864, then removed to a farm in Woodbine Township, which he operated four years. At the expiration of this time he settled on a tract of land which he had purchased on section 25, Elizabeth Township, where he lived until removing into the village in 1886.

Mr. Barker was first married in Lower Canada in 1833, to Miss Eliza Rankin, a native of that section, who bore him five children, only two of whom are living. John, the elder of these, is cashier of the State Bank of Scribner, Neb., and William operates as the manager of a commercial house at Portland, Oregon. Mrs. Eliza Barker departed this life at her home in January, 1842. Mr. Barker contracted a second marriage at White Oak, Wis., Jan. 1, 1843, with Miss Sarah Smith, a native of Tennessee. This union resulted in the birth of a large family, nine of whom are surviving. Eliza is the wife of Robert B. Gates, of Mt. Carmel, Kan.; Charles is occupied at labor in Elizabeth; Jane is the wife of Abram Wilcox, of Clayton County, Iowa; Mary makes her home with an aunt in Chicago, Ill.; Harriet is the wife of William Wilcox, of Elizabeth; Richard is a resident of Stockton, Utah; Maria (Mrs. John Kolb), and Frederick, make their home in Elizabeth; Emma remains with her parents. The five deceased children of the present Mrs. Barker were named, respectively: Robert, Henry, George, Martha, and Frank. Those of the first marriage deceased were Robert, 1st and 2d, and one who died unnamed.

Mr. Barker has served efficiently as Postmaster of Elizabeth a number of years, and also as a member of the District School Board. He was the first master of the Masonic Lodge in Elizabeth and a charter member, this being Cavanagh Lodge No. 36. He is an old and faithful Mason, having been identified with the fraternity for a period of forty-two years, and is a warm defender of its principles. He has been among those favored ones permitted to witness the growth and development of one of the most prosperous States of the Union, and has performed his part in bringing it to its present proud position. Every man who, in his own sphere, does all that in him lies, is to this degree a benefactor of the human race, and Mr. Barker, in all the relations of life has performed his duty in a most praiseworthy manner.

Our subject cast his first Presidential vote in Elizabeth, and has voted in Elizabeth for every President since he became a citizen of the United States, and since that time has continued a stanch supporter of Democratic principles. The present Mrs. Barker is a native of Monroe County, Tenn., and was born Aug. 26, 1826. Her parents were Joseph and Martha Smith, the father a native of South Carolina, and the mother of Tennessee. Her paternal ancestors were of Scotch descent, and the mother traced her forefathers to Ireland. The parents, in 1835, leaving the South, emigrated to Northern Illinois, settling on Mill Creek, this county, where the mother died. Mr. Smith afterward removed to Iowa, where he spent the remainder of his days. They were among the earliest residents of this county, and endured their full measure of hardship and privation. Of the four children comprising the household circle but three are living, namely: Mrs. Barker; Adeline, wife of Henry Todd, of Chicago, Ill.; and James, a resident of Missouri. Amanda is deceased.

Transcribed & Contributed by Carol Parrish Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889), p. 611