Montgomery County PA Archives Biographies.....Barrett, J. Allen May 24, 1856 - 
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Source: Biographical Annals of Montgomery County Pennsylvania, T. S. Benham & Company and the Lewis Publishing Company, 1904
Author: Ellwood Roberts, Editor

J. ALLEN BARRETT, for several years health officer of 
Norristown, and more recently an employe of the United 
States Mint in Philadelphia, is the son of Jesse and 
Catharine (Pennypacker) Barrett. He was born in Norristown 
May 24, 1856.

The Barretts are of German origin, although the family have 
been long domiciled in Montgomery county, having originally 
settled in the vicinity of Swamp, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Barrett 
had three children, Mrs. Walter S. Hutchison, of West Main 
street, Norristown, and two who died young. Jesse Barrett 
died in January, 1900, and his widow died September 8, 1904. 
The Pennypackers are old settlers in that section of the 
state. Mrs. Jesse Barrett was a descendant of Heinrich 
Pannebacker, who came from Germany early in the eighteenth 
century. Mrs. Barrett was the daughter of James Pennypacker. 
Jesse Barrett (father) had four brothers- Reinhard, Samuel, 
Charles and William, of whom all are deceased except the 
first named, who is engaged in the grocery business in 
Philadelphia.
 
J. Allen Barrett was reared in Norristown, attending the 
public schools, and learned the trade of plumber, leaving 
school for that purpose when he was about sixteen years of 
age. He learned his trade with Cowden & Jones, a well known 
Norristown firm. He completed his trade in 1875, and soon 
afterwards entered the employ of the Norristown Gas Company, 
for whom he was superintendent for eleven years. He was next 
employed at the Norristown Hospital for the Insane in the 
capacity of plumber for a year, leaving that position to 
accept the post of health officer for Norristown, which he 
held for three years. He is now employed in the coining 
department of the United States Mint in Philadelphia. In 
politics Mr. Barrett has always been an active Republican, 
working with energy, and enthusiasm for party success. In 
religious faith he is a Presbyterian, becoming a member of 
the Central Presbyterian church in 1869, when he was but 
thirteen years of age. Since the removal of the Central 
church to the west end of Norristown, he and his family have 
united with the First Presbyterian church at DeKalb and Airy 
streets.

Mr. Barrett married, December 24, 1879, Miss Elizabeth Ball, 
daughter of Edward and Ann Ball, both of Norristown, Mr. 
Ball being long deceased, while his widow makes her home 
with Mr. and Mrs. Barrett. The Balls are of English origin. 
Mr. and Mrs. Barrett reside at No. 568 East Main street, 
Norristown. They have three children: Edward, born in 
October, 1880; Lottie, born in 1884, and Elsie, born in 
1887.

Mr. Barrett is a public spirited citizen, and has always 
favored every measure calculated to promote the progress of 
the community.

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