HENRY S. BARBER, of Harlem Township. In presenting this biographical history of the career of one of the leading men of Stephenson County, and a gentleman who is thoroughly representative of its progressive element, we deem it our duty first to advert briefly to the life story of those from whom he derives his origin. His parents were Robert and Esther (Shiveley) Barber, who were of English ancestry. The father was born in Lancaster County, Pa., May 28, 1783, the mother in Union County, Pa., March 6, 1788. They were married in Union County, Dec. 16, 1804, where they lived until 1838. In the spring of that year they came to Stephenson County and settled in Rock Grove Township, where they lived until their death, Oct. 6, 1854, and Nov. 16, 1862, respectively. After his marriage Robert was engaged in milling and farming in Pennsylvania, but after coming to Stephenson County he was engaged wholly in farming.

They had a family of eleven children – John B., Elizabeth, Henry (first), Robert, Sarah, Henry S., James, Joseph G., George, Sarah (second), and Margaret M. John B. came to Stephenson County with his father in 1838, and settled in Rock Grove Township, where he died Feb. 1, 1863; Elizabeth became the wife of James Chambers, and died in Union County, Pa., in October, 1870; Henry died in childhood; Robert went to St. Louis, Mo., from Pennsylvania, where he lived for many years an honored citizen, and died while on a visit to Philadelphia, Pa., May 6, 1852; Sarah died in infancy; James went to Stephenson County in 1838, and died there in 1852; Joseph G. went to Stephenson County in 1839, but is now a resident of Brodhead, Wis.; Sarah and George died in infancy; Margaret M, was born June 22, 1831, was married July 6, 1854, to Rev. John Walworth, and died in Monroe, Wis., Dec. 22, 1857.

Henry S. Barber, the subject of this history, was born in Union County, Pa., Dec. 27, 1818. He attended the common schools of Union County, and resided there until May, 1837, then removed to Stephenson County, Ill., and settled on a claim of 230 acres in Rock Grove Township. He was in every sense of the word a pioneer and knew of the many trials that intervened toward his success. He tilled his farm until October, 1850, when he sold it and removed to Monroe, Wis., where he engaged in contracting and building for two years. He then bought a tract of land of eighty-seven acres which then joined the town plat, and on which he built a residence, also building a steam-mill four miles west of Monroe, on a half section of timber which he had purchased in the summer of 1855. He operated this mill until the fall of 1863, when he sold out that property and returned to Stephenson County, Ill., purchasing 100 acres in Rock Run Township, where he settled and made his home until the spring of 1868. Again, he disposed of his property, and bought 200 acres of land in Harlem Township on section 13, where he has since resided.

Our subject has made valuable improvements, and erected fine buildings, his house along costing about $5,000. He was married in Rock Grove Township, Sept. 27, 1842, to Miss Mary M. Fisher, daughter of John and Mary (Wilt) Fisher, who were natives of Union County, Pa. Mrs. Barber was the sixth child of the family of ten children. She was born in Union County, Pa., April 10, 1819, and coming to Stephenson County with her parents in the fall of 1840, there engaged in teaching for a while before her marriage. Six children were born to her, as follows: Lewis, Ashley, Lewis F., Lizzie C., Charles F. and Frank. Lewis W. was born in Rock Grove Township, Aug. 24, 1843, and died Nov. 26, 1843; Ashley was born in Rock Grove Township, Nov, 1844, and his sketch is given elsewhere in this work; Lewis F. was born in Rock Grove Township, Sept. 12, 1846, and died Feb. 8, 1849; Lizzie C. was born in Rock Grove Township Aug. 24, 1848; she was married, Dec. 25, 1873, to George M. Carnefix, and resides in Rock Run Township; Charles F. was born in Rock Grove Township, May 18, 1850; he was married, Dec. 25, 1872, to Mary O. Ewing, and also resides in Harlem Township; Frank was born in Green County, Wis., Aug. 30, 1857, and died July 17, 1858. Mrs. Barber was a member of the Christian Church, and died Oct. 3, 1871, lamented by all.

Mr. Barber held the office of Justice of the Peace for four years in Green County, Wis. In Stephenson County, Ill., he has held the office of Justice of the Peace for three years, and was also Supervisor of Harlem Township in 1876. He is a member of the Christian Church, and has been identified with the Republican party since its organization.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888)