My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of McDonald County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1888.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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John L. Barr, one of the leading attorneys of Pineville, MO., was born in Jefferson County, Penn., on September 11, 1832. His father, Christopher Barr, was also a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in 1798. He was a prominent citizen of Jefferson County, and served as the first county treasurer. John L. was reared in BrookviI1e in his native state and his education which was begun in that city, was finished in Meadville College. He began studying law under the direction of W. P. Jenks, of Brookville, but afterward entered the law school of Oberlin, Ohio, from which institution he graduated in 1852, being the classmate of Hon. Samuel S. Burdette, who afterward became United States Land Commissioner at Washington. Upon leaving college Mr. Barr went West to seek fame and fortune, and, locating at DeWitt, Iowa, remained there practicing his profession until the Civil War broke out. Being one of the many thousand patriotic Union men who determined to risk their lives in defense of their native country, he accordingly volunteered with Burdette in Company B, First Iowa Cavalry, and participated in the following engagements: Prairie Grove, Black River Bridge, Mission Ridge, those of the Red River campaign and others. Mr. Barr has been twice married, first, on January 21, 1852, to Sarah Barr, a daughter of Robert P. Barr. She died in 1861, and Mr. Barr married the second time on March 27, 1871, choosing for his wife Mrs. Mary S. (Carroll) Walker, a daughter of Hugh Carroll, deceased. This union has been blessed by the birth of two children, Ernest (who was born on March 5, 1875) and Floyd (who was born in March, 1881). Mrs. Barr has one child by her first marriage, Ella Walker. Mr. Barr removed to St. Clair County, Mo., in 1867, locating at Osceola, where he practiced law until 1870, when he came to Pineville. Here he has built up a large practice, and is highly respected by all who know him. He is a Mason and a member of the G. A. R., of which he is past commander.

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This family biography is one of 82 biographies included in The History of McDonald County, Missouri published in 1888.  For the complete description, click here: McDonald County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional McDonald County, Missouri family biographies, click here

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