BIOGRAPHY: Henry A. BARR, Mifflin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by P. S. Barr 

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising 
the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania.
Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, pages 568-569.

  HENRY A. BARR, Reedsville, Mifflin county, Pa., was born at Clearfield, 
Clearfield county, Pa., May 7, 1855.  He is the only son of William R. and Maria 
J. (Jones) Barr.  The families on both sides are numbered among the substantial 
and respected citizens of the State.  Mrs. William R. Barr's father, William 
Jones, was an early settler of Clearfield county.  He came to that county as a 
young man, from York, Pa., accompanied by his wife;  strong and full of courage 
and perseverance, they had set out to make their way in the world together, and 
were not ashamed or afraid to make the journey to their future home on foot.  
Their married life was passed in Clearfield county, where they brought up their 
family of five daughters and two sons.  One of the daughters, Mrs. Long, resides 
in California, and has passed the age of fourscore.  William Jones carried on 
the business of shoemaking in the winter, and of brickmaking in the summer.  He 
left his home and his business to serve his country in the war of 1812, and, 
although advancing in years, took the field again in the Mexican war, 1846-47.  
He made for ex-Governor Bigler the first pair of shoes that he wore after his 
election to the gubernatorial chair;  and he also manufactured the brick used in 
building ex-Governor Bigler's house, and that of Senator Wallace, in Clearfield, 
Pa.  Mr. Jones died aged eighty-seven;  he had been parted by death from his 
faithful helpmeet when she was sixty.  The death of Mr. Barr's paternal 
grandfather was heroic;  he lost his life in trying to save that of a neighbour 
who had fallen, or gone down purposely into a well on the old Close farm, near 
Milroy.   The neighbor had been overpowered by the poisonous gas with which the 
well was filled, and in attempting his rescue, Mr. Barr fell a victim to the 
same deadly atmosphere.  His son, William R. Barr, was educated in the common 
schools of Armagh township, Mifflin county;  during his early manhood, he went 
to Clearfield, and was there engaged in the business of carpentry and 
contracting.  His intelligent and conscientious workmanship made him successful, 
and his many excellent qualities made him an influential and much esteemed 
member of society.  He died in 1857, leaving one son, Henry A.  Mrs. Barr was 
again married, to William Aitkens;  they had three daughters:  Sarah;  Margaret;  
and Martha.  Both Mr. And Mrs. Aitkens are deceased;  her death occurred July 4, 
1894.
  After receiving a good common school education in Armagh and Brown townships, 
supplemented by a course at the academy at Milroy, Henry A. Barr acquired the 
trade of house-painting.  For about sixteen years he carried on that business 
successfully in Mifflin and Centre counties.  In 1890 or '91, he formed a 
partnership with John Camp and son, in Reedsville, to carry on the furniture and 
undertaking business under the firm name of H. A. Barr & Co.  Buying out the 
interests of his partners in 1892, he has since conducted the establishment 
alone.  Mr. Barr is a progressive and enterprising business man;  he has 
considerably improved and extended the facilities of his business.  His fine 
store and commodious dwelling were built in 1895.  Mr. Barr is not only a 
substantial business man, but is possessed of public spirit;  while not aspiring 
to office, he is always willing to be of service in any other way to the 
community.  He is a Republican, and is also a member of the K. G. E., at 
Reedsville.
  Henry A. Barr was married, May 30, 1877, to Louisa J., daughter of John and 
Martha (Mayben) Camp.  Their children are:  Nina Edythe, at present a student at 
the State Normal School, Shippensburg, Pa.;  John Roland;  William Arthur;  
Harry Earl;  Frank;  and Mary Florence.  Mr. And Mrs. Barr attend the 
Presbyterian church.