My Genealogy Hound

EDWIN S. BARRY was born in the town of Ovid, October 6, 1843, his parents being Samuel L. and Mary (Hadley) Barry, natives of Vermont, the former of whom came to this county about the year 1834. He was married that same year, at the age of twenty-six. All his life he followed farming, and acquired a farm of one hundred and ten acres. He died in March, 1881, his wife dying in the month of November, three years later. When Seneca County was surveyed by the Government, a plat of ground containing three acres in the southern part of what is now the town of Ovid was set apart to be used as a cemetery, and the first body buried there was that of James Bloomer, who died September 22, 1799, aged thirty-one years. Our subject’s father was sexton of this cemetery, and from 1842 to 1879 buried two hundred and sixty-six bodies. This cemetery, which is now nearly full, is not divided into family lots, but usually each body is placed by the side of the one which preceded it. In this cemetery lie the remains of the parents of the subject of this sketch.

Samuel Barry, our subject’s grandfather, was a native of Vermont, and was twice married, becoming the father of three sons by each marriage. The first of these children by his first wife, James, came to this county, and was killed by a runaway team, November 22, 1833. Joseph also came to this county, and was followed by Samuel Barry, the father of our subject. Holland, Patton and Royal, the children of his second wife, have remained in Vermont.

Mr. Barry, our subject, had three sisters and one brother. Adelia O. is deceased; Helen E. and Emma T. are unmarried; and James was accidentally shot while at school. The father was a Republican, and in the Baptist Church held the office of Deacon. His son has followed in his footsteps in the matter of politics, but not in religion. As a boy, he attended the district and common schools of the time, and at the age of twenty-five was prepared to purchase a grist-mill and carry it on successfully and honorably. In this business he engaged for more than a quarter of a century, and is now interested in farming, owing a fine place of one hundred and sixty acres. Besides his other interests, he conducts a profitable ice business, and altogether has led an active and busy life.

Our subject was married, October 26, 1864, to Deborah, the daughter of Seborn F. and Elizabeth A. (Myers) Smalley. She was born in the town of Covert. Our subject and his wife have no children.