The Republican journal., 1909-05-20
Capt. Bankers 10th Birthday
He is Greeted at His Home by Band of
Faithful Employees.

He is Greeted at His Home by Band of
Faithful Employees.
[Elmira, N Y. Telegram, May 2nd.]
Frederick Barker, president of the firm
of Barker, Rose & Clinton, Incorporated,
hardware dealers on Lake street, passed
the SEVENTEEN milestone in the journey
of life, Thursday, and on that night was
agreeably surprised at his home, No. 514
West Water street, by the members of
the firm, employees, and few friends.
Indeed, the ladies of his household had
also a kindly and earnest hand in the
affair.
Captain Barker, as he was more gen
orally known, received many congratula-
lions during the day and in the evening
was resting at his home when about fifty
staunch friends of the well-known bust
ness man took possession o. the house
and heaped congratulations upon him,
now seventy years young.
The members of the firm presented
Mr.. Barker a handsome gold-headed
cane. The employees in the wholesale
department gave him handsome gold
ment employees presented him hand
SOll0 SulOhlHS olciiu anu oCt. "A lllOl etA y
and musical program was rendered, which
was much enjoyed by all. Impromptu
recitations were made by Miss Susan
Rose and by Frank Weeks.
Miss Nora Reidy and Miss Laurie Sod
erquest served tempting refreshments.
One of the most enjoyable moments of
the evening was signalized when w. H.
S. Bean, one of the oldest employees of
the firm, and man loved and honored
by all, entered the house. When he was
recognized he was greeted with cheers.
He has been with the firm continuously
for nearly thirty-seven years, but last
summer his health began to fail and in
September he was compelled to cease
active work.
While practically confined to his home,
he is sometimes able to be out, and Thurs
day night could not resist the temptation
to call upon Mr.. Barker and congratulate
him. 81 am not in it now, remarked
Mr.. Barker, when he greeted Mr.. Bean.
Among other of the older employees of
the company who were present were H.
w. MacGowan, who has also been with
the company thirty-seven years, James
Craig, one of the Oldest in the employ of
the firm; H. w. Payne, who has rendered
a service of twenty-nine years; Frank
Weeks, Albert Weeks, Snyder P. At
water, Guy S. Griswold, Wesley Jenni-
son and Maxwell MINER have all spent
nearly twenty-five years in the employ
of Mr.. Barker.
Among other employees who have rem
dered faithful and long service are Eu-
gene Human, Fletcher Griswold, Eugene
Stowell and Ross C. L'Amoreaux Will
liam Shearer is one of the oldest in the
company, he having been with Mr. Bar
ker since 1873. w. J. Clark is also num-
bered in the twenty five year list. H. D.
Bolt and Robert Ford, who are on the
road and were unable to be present and
congratulate Mr. Barker, have been in
the employ of the company for about
twenty years.
Mr.. Barker was born in Montville, Me-,
on April 29, 1889. He spent his early
days on the farm and in 1859 started out
to seek his fortune in the world. He be-
gan at Belfast, Me-, where he secured
employment in a wholesale house. In
1862 he enlisted in the army and during
the civil war was the captain of company
l, Twentieth regiment, Maine volunteers.
In 1864 he engaged in the hardware
business in Belfast, and there laid the
foundation for the excellent business
education which he rapidly acquired. In
1869 he was i'll and spent the winter in
Cuba. In 1870 he was in South America.
In May, 1871, he returned to Maine,
but remained there but short time,
coming to Elmira on June IL, 1871. He
remained in Elmira and Montour Falls
until October of that year, when he be-
gan business with the firm of Ayrault,
Rose & Co., hardware dealers, who occu-
pied the two stores on Lake street now
occupied by Major Sadler and Charles A.
Georgia.
In 1873 the firm became Booth, Dounce,
Rose & Co., and in 1875 it was again
changed to Barker, Dounce, Rose & Co.,
l. D. Booth retiring. In 1888 the firm
again changed to Barker, Rose & Gray.
In 1898 Arthur Clinton purchased the
interest Of Mr.. Gray and the firm was
incorporated as a stock company. Mr..
Barker was made the president and has
been held in that position since. The
firm has since been known as the Barker,
Rose & Clinton company.
The firm of Barker, Rose & Gray occu-
of Lake and Water streets, and was doing
June 30, 1890, the building was burned to
the ground.
At that time Daniel R. Pratt and Cort-
land Currier were doing a hardware bust
ness on Market street, on the present
site of the old Family theater. While
the fire was still smoldering, Mr. Barker
called the members of his firm together
and opened negotiations with Messrs.
Pratt and Carrier, with the result that
the same day the firm of Barker, Rose &
Gray purchased the business controlled
by Pratt & Co., and began business in
that store.
They also opened a retail store on East
Water street. In August of the same
year the company began the construction
of the large block at Nos. 1O9-113 Lake
street, which was completed in March,
1891. and has been occupied by the COM