Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-04-05

As WAS briefly announced IN the Dem
crat last week, Hon. Abraham \. Bar
ker OF Ebensburg Pa, died on the 18th
Of March st AltOona, Pa, where he had
gone for medical treatment.
Mr. Barker was born In Lowell, Maine,
March 30. lSl6. His ancestors were of
Puritan stock. and were SmOag the
early settlers ia New England.
Nr. Barker traced his ancestry IN this
country 10 Robert Barker, q member OF
Plymouth COLONY 10 1928, bat who moved
70 Pembroke. Mass, and built stone
house there In 1880 The house l. still
standing, and Is claimed by residents OF
Pembroke to be the oldest dwelling
house Ia the nited States.
His grandfather, John Barker, after
serving in the revolutionary war, IT.
moved from Andover, Mass, 10 Frye
burg. Maine. In lsS3. where he raised =
family OF nine children, OF whom Richard
and stephen We're twins, the latter being
the father ot the subject OF this sketch.
Mr. Bankers grandfather his great
grandfather and his uncle, each of whom
was surnAmed John. AL served in the
same company in the revolutionary War
Mr. Bankers mother was a daughter OF
Captain Abraham Andrews, for whom he
was named, and who WAS also reyOlu-
tionary soldier, who removed from Mas
sAchuSettS 10 Lowell, Maine, AZ about the
same time that John Barker removed 20
the adjoining town OF Fryeourg.
Mr. Bankers father MAS farmer, and
the educational advantages which he had
were quite mesgre, never having attend
cd school after he WAS 10 years OF age.
Starting in life on his own account he
became farmer. and subsequently, en-
tered the shook business, both Of which
lines OF eudeavOr be followed Ia hi
native county until lS5f In November
Of that year ne removed 20 Pennsylvania
aud located in Carrolltown, where h.
remained for two wears, then removing
20 EbeuSburg, where he has since re
sided. After going 20 Cambria County.
Mr.. Barker continued Ia the shook busi-
ness and IN l>l> sddei 20 il Il mercantile
business. which he followed with the
lumber business until $50, many Of his
employers coming from the state OF
Maine Since l>S0 he had not been sc-
tivelv engaged in business, hut has spent
much time travelling and reading and
labOriug ia the cause 81 temperance.
IL never seemed task for him 10 DO
the work In one dsy ordinarily expected
OF two men. whether the work WAS In the
shop, saWmill or on the farm. He was =
man OF HrrCuieSn frame and strength,
aud his powers of endurance were unsur-
passed by those Of any person known %
The people 81 the region Once when
asked 20 What he attributed his rugged
constitution. he reioined, TO my ances-
try and the forty years | spent on New
England farm"
During the war and long before Il Mr..
Barker Was a hard worker in the cause OF
abolition ot human slavery; indeed, h.
was one 81 the first 70 boldly take 4 stand
sgainst the monStrOus evil, snd that Was
81 time when il required a great deal OF
courage 20 champion the cause, aud the
path Of the worker MAS fraught with
danger aud difficulty. But he was a man
with the rugged strength OF the oak, and
the intrepiGitv Of the lion. He knew no
fear. and s. he always did in later life,
not only stood by his convictions, but
boldly uttered and maintained them AZ
al times During the war he worked
most vigorously for the Union, raising
companies. often assisting from his own
means 20 equip them With comforts not
provided ~ the government, and visit
ing them iu their cherries camps.
Mr. Barker was 81 close friend Of Pres
ident Lincoln. and related many inter
estiug anecdotes snd "reminiscences of
him. lie held an umbrella over the
MARTYR president when he was insugu-
rated aud was with him at Gettysburg
when he made the celebrated speech,
which has since been regarded a. il
classic He Mas also on very confidential
terms With General Grant, and other
great men of those DAYS.
Through life Mr.. Barker was an init
mste friend 81 Neal Dow, the veteran
prohibitiOnist Of his native state. Maine,
and being total abstainer from tobacco
and ardent spirits. was an advocate OF
and believer ia temperance, for which In
recent years he made very vigorous
crusade.
When the Republican party was or
gained be was one OF the original mem-
bers. but later became a leader in the
Prohibition party He was elected 10
congress as 4 Republican in lSG4 from
the district composed OF the counties OF
Cambria. Blair, Huntingdon and Miiilin,
and received the Republican nomination
again in lS72, but the district was al
that time Democratic.
At the age of sixteen years the de
ceased united with the Congregational
church in Maine, and on removing 10
Ebensburg he Joined the Presbyterian
church, of which he remained a member
until his death. lie belonged TO a num-
Der Of fraternal organizations and was
very much devoted 70 their interests.
He was familiar with the history and
work OF all the orders 20 which he
belonged, and in some, notably Masonry
and Odd Fellowship, was high author
ity.
In 1912 Mr.. Barker was united in mar
rage with Orsina T. Little, in Maine,
who has been dead for number of
union: Valentine >, merchant; Floren-
tine H., ex-cOunty treasurer; Augustine
V, Judge; Constantine H., merchant,
all Of Ebensburg. Mrs. Barker was a
daughter of Valentine Little, Congre-
gational minister of prominence in New
England, and descendant OF General
Moses Little Of revolutionary fame. Her
maternal grandfather was Lieut.. Jons-
than Clark, also q revolutionary soldier.
Although Mr.. Barker had been a resi-
dent OF Pennsylvania for over fifty years,
he still retained 3 great interest in his
native county. He has been 9 subscriber
TO the Democrat ever since removing TO
Pennsylvania. He read the paper regu-
lsrly and thoroughly, commenting on all
the matters Of local interest in the diff
ferent towns, and TO the day Of his
death was intensely loyal 70 Old Oxford.