The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1900-11-15
CHARLES @. BARKLBY.

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special committee appointed for the
purpose, and adopted by rising vote.
Principal Welsh read the address to
the students of the school, on We'd
nesday morning and took occasion to
impress upon their minds the value of
the strong traits Of character pointed
out in the address:
Mr.. President.
Your committee, appointed to sub.
nit TO the Board some tribute to the
memory of our late associate, Charles
G. Barkley, Esq, make report;
Mr. Barkley was a native Of Co
lumba county and was born January
80, 1889.
He early displayed fondness for
anc interest in school and educational
work. After receiving such training
as could be afforded here, he engaged
in the business of teaching which he
followed for several years, and made
such impression upon the people whom
he served, that on May 4, 1868 he
was elected to the the county supeiin-
tendency of Common Schools, and
was re elected May 1, 1866 and again
elected May 4, 1869. HIS work in
this laborious and important Office was
performed, as was every other duty in
his life, with the utmost OF his power,
and with scrupulous fidelity. And it
is not too much to say that his nine
years as County Superintendent in
augurated a forward movement in the
schools of Columbia County which no
other nine years has exceeded. The
high appreciation in which he was
held in educational matters was more
fully evinced during his third term as
County Superintendent. 1t happened
that the State Normal Schoo! of this
District was without a head, and the
Trustees were IN sore straits. The
Board called upon Mr.. Wickersham,
then State Superintendent, for advice
and assistance, and he met them at
the Office of Col. Freeze, the secretary,
on the 10Th of December, 1871.
After long and confidential talk on
the subject, Mr.. Wickerman suggested
Mr.. Barkley as a proper person for
Principal.
On motion of Robert F. Clark,
Esq, he was unanimously elected. He
accepted, on condition that the Trus-
tees fill the place as soon as possible.
The Board met at the Hall the next
morning accompanied by Mr.. Wick
ersham and Mr.. Barkley. Col. Freeze
announced to the Faculty the action
of the Board and Mr.. Wickersham
made an address warmly endorsing
the selection. Mr.. Barkley continued
in charge until March AZ, 1872, when
at his own request he was relieved.
He was appointed Trustee on the
part of the State on May 3, 1875, and
remained member of the Board until
his death.
How true it is that the boyi father
Of the man. When the Rev. Joel +.
Bradley was teaching school in the
old Arcade, he once told Col. Freeze
that he always left the school-room in
the care of Charles G.. Barkley one OF
the scholars-that he put the room to
rights in the evening, locked the door
took the key and was there to open it
in the morning with everything in
order. And upon the Col. saying,
as not that a great deal to trust to so
young boy2" 80" he said, 81 know
him-I can trust him., and so during
his whole life, whatever duty was as
sumed by him, whether as member
Of the Town Council, as Town Sollcl-
tor, or as solicitor for the County, in
the performance Of that duty he was
always trustworthy. He grew up that
way. 1t was a part of his nature-it
was his life.
We have dwelt somewhat at length
upoh this portion OF his career because
among us, it was distinguished trait,
one that made his services and opinion
always valuable. His thought was the
public good, his purpose the safest
way for its accomplishment.
In 1860 he began the study OF law
with Col. John G.. Freeze, was admit
ted to the Bar in 1868, and began ac-
i've practice in 1872, at the expiration
OF his duties as County Superintendent
10 the bar he brought a solid know
ledge of the law, high and unlm-
peachable integrity, patient, thorough
examination into the facts OF his case;
before the court and the jury, a per-
S'slent, but at the same time most
courteous, attitude; with his brethren
OF the Bar always genial, always com
panlonable, and never carrying sharp
contest before the court, a step beyond
the Bar.
All these qualifications and charact-
eristics he carried with him into MS
social and public intercourse, as man.
as a Citizen ne Christian