Biographical Sketch of John C. Barrett, Franklin County, Missouri

>From "History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford and 
Gasconade Counties", Biographical Appendix, Goodspeed Publishing 
Company, 1888.

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John C. Barrett, an old and prominent citizen of Franklin County, was
born in Eastern Virginia, October 23, 1814, and is the son of John and
Elizabeth (Brisco) Barrett, who were native Virginians, and who passed
their last days in that State.  The father was an overseer, and died 
when our subject was a child.  The mother then married James Jones. At
the early age of ten John C. was cast upon the world to shift for him-
self.  He went to live with a cousin, and there remained until twenty
years of age, getting nothing for his work.  He then left for the Rapp-
ahannock River country and was engaged as an overseer for the small 
salary of $135 per year.  This was the first money received by him for
work.  He then went to Jefferson County, now West Virginia, near Char-
leston, and again obtained work as overseer, where he remained for six
years, being in the employ of a nephew of Gen. George Washington, 
Bushrod Washington.  While in Jefferson County, Va., he married Miss
Ann Lay, a native of that county, who came to Missouri in 1841.  She 
was born in August, 1824, and died in Franklin County, Mo., in 1852. 
To this marriage were born eight children, only three now living, viz:
William H., James P. and D. Jane.  In 1853 Mr. Barrett took for his
second wife Miss Margaret (Groff) Giersa, a daughter of Andrew Groff,
and the widow of George L. Giersa.  She was born in Franklin County,
Mo., September 16, 1821, and died in the same county October 19, 1887.
To them were born nine children, four now living: John C., Harriet, 
Nora and Groff.  Although starting in life with very little of this
world's goods Mr. Barrett has accumulated considerable property, and
can live in comfort the balance of his days.  In 1850, in company with
George L. Giersa and others, he crossed the plains to California, 
driving four teams of oxen.  While on the way he took the cholera, and
by using his own medicine cured himself, but owing to ill health re-
turned shortly, satisfied that health was better than wealth.

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