My Genealogy Hound

Julius C. Barter, successful farmer, influential citizen and descendant of two of Posey county’s pioneer families, was born in the Barter home, Second and Walnut streets, Mt. Vernon, on December 30, 1857, the son of John L. and Jane (Templeton) Barter. The Barter family is of English origin and was founded in Posey county by John Barter, born May 14, 1797, in the village of Houl, Devonshire, England, who settled with his sons, John, Richard, William and James, in Black township previous to 1820. James, the youngest of these sons, and the grandfather of our subject, Julius C. Barter, engaged in the general merchandise business in Mt. Vernon in 1825, shortly after it became the county seat. John L., the son of James, and father of our subject, was born in Mt. Vernon in 1830. He was also a merchant. He married when a young man, Jane Templeton, the daughter of Samuel L. Templeton, a pioneer of Black township. He was a native of North Carolina, and entered upon land two miles west of Mt. Vernon in 1825. He was a tanner and built and operated a tannery upon his farm. He also manufactured harness and saddles and later shoes. He was thrifty and became the owner of valuable land interests. He was a member of the Methodist church, active in its support, and served as trustee for many years. He married Sally Curtis, the daughter of William G. Curtis, a native of North Carolina, who was also a pioneer settler of Posey county. Jane Templeton Barter was born in Posey county in 1835 and died on December 5, 1902. Her surviving children are as follows: Julius C, the subject of this sketch; Sally, the widow of Worth Templeton, former trustee of Black township, and successful farmer, who resides in Los Angeles, Cal., and Harris, who is married and resides in Los Angeles. The eldest child, Mark Barter, born December 2, 1855, died in June, 1905. Julius Ceasar Barter was reared in the family of his grandfather Templeton, with whom his mother went to live when he was four years of age. He attended the district schools of Posey county and acquired a good common school education. Since early boyhood, farming has been his occupation, and in this line of endeavor he is recognized as authority. He is the owner of a portion of the old Templeton farm, on which is situated “Barter’s Grove,” one of the favorite picnic grounds near Mt. Vernon, and which has been the scene of many enjoyable festivities. Mr. Barter has been a lifelong Democrat, has been active in the political life of the county, but has no inclination for public office. He cast his first vote for Samuel J. Tilden. He has never married.