KIRKLAND C. BARKER was born September 8, 1819, in East Schuyler, Herkimer County, New York. He was the second son of Mason Barker, who emigrated from Massachusetts to Central New York early in this century. The elder Mr. Barker was a practical builder and a contractor for the biding of canals and railroads. He died at the age of seventy-three years. His wife survived him some years, but also died at the age of seventy-three. The son, Kirkland C. Barker, received the rudiments of an English education in the old red school house of his native village, and when fourteen years of age attended a school at Whitesboro. After leaving this school he entered a store at Frankfort, New York, and served as clerk for about a year, and then went to Utica where he filled a similar position. When he was eighteen years of age he went to Cleveland. Ohio, where in the house of a relative he found a home, and obtained employment in a public warehouse. His business ability was soon recognized and he was often sent to New York in charge of a vessel. Leaving the house in Cleveland, he became a traveling salesman for a tobacco house at Logansport, Indiana, but lived in Detroit. After becoming well acquainted with the trade he determined to go into business for himself, and while on his way to New York for goods he stopped at ?? and there entered into partnership, and established stores in Detroit and New York and a factory' in Jersey City. The business did not prove successful and the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Barker then concluded to start anew in Detroit. He was successful in his plans, paid off the indebtedness of the old firm, and established the firm of K. C. Barker & Co. the predecessor of the American Eagle Tobacco Company. Mr. Barker served as Alderman of the First Ward in 1863, and in 1864 was elected Mayor of the city, serving two years. He was married in 1847 to a daughter of Gilbert Bedell, of Ann Arbor. He died on May 20, 1875. His death was in part the result of an accident. While sailing a small yacht opposite his residence at Grosse Isle he had an attack of apoplexy and fell into the water. The boat capsized, and when he was taken out of the river life was extinct. He left a wife, two sons, and a daughter — Mrs. Charles B. Hull. Source: History of Detroit and Wayne County and Early Michigan By Silas Farmer 1890