Norwich bulletin., 1917-09-08

f line fom James Barker of Harwich. He was born in Middletown, R. l., on February 10th. 1891. where he, re- sided until he came to Lebanon in 1854. | In 1927 he married Mary F. Barker | of, Middletown. They had seven chill dren of whom Nathaniel was the sixth. Nathaniel Croad Barker, was born in AIiddletown, R. l., August 31, 1888.
 ployed for about year as clerk in
 the store of H. and L. Parmeter. New
 port, R. I. He removed with his par ents to Lebanon when fifteen years of
 age, where he attended the Lebanon
 Academy under Messrs. Standish,
 Bronson and Crandall. He later att
 tended Potter and Hammond Business
 college at Providence. R. l., from
 which he was graduated in 1857. He
 returned home and was employed as
 a clerk in the grocery store of Grant
 Hinckley at Norwich, Conn.,. remaining
 there for one year, after which he
 came to Lebanon and bought the gem
 era1 store owned by Justin Babcock.
 With the exception of 1872, all of 1873
 and part of 1874, he spent in travel.
 MT. Barker has been engaged in the mercantile line for. thirty-five years.
 For fifteen years he was associated
 his interest in 1896; then engaging in
 farming and making a speciality of
 fruit raising. He erected the build
 ing now occupied by the post office
 and the store of Frank P. Fowler. In
 political life MT. Barker has always
 been a republican and served as town clerk and treasurer during the Civil war. In the session of 1886 he serv- Cd in the state legislature and was on
 the committee of Education. From and was justice of the peace for many years. During Lincoln's administra- ton he was appointed postmaster and with the exception of the four. years of Cleveland's first administration he remained in office until July, 1896. when he resigned. His term of office covered the remarkably long period of thirty years. .Fraternally he was a member of Wooster lodge, No. 10, A. F. and A. of Lebanon lodge. No. 23. A. O. y. w.; a charter member of William Williams council, No. 72, O. II. A. M. He. was a member of the State Pomologicak society, also member of Lebanon far Grangs H of Th9n ng fs tse was iport st- ant office with great ability and ac- ceptance.
 Religiously he was an active mem- Der of the Baptist church, was clerk and treasurer of the church. having served as superintz>hdent of the Sum day school for twenty years. and has also been trustee of the church for many years.
 On April 18th, 1861, MT. Barker was married to Marietta Sweet, daughter of Dr. Charles and Elisa W. (Thorp) Sweet. She was born October 4, 1s40, and died September g, 1873, leaving three children. Charles Sweet. who is recorder of Murat Temple, A. A. Q. N. NJ. S., Indianapolis. Ind. Mary Eliza who married Joseph B. BIakeslIo and lives on the Barker farm; Sarah Grace deceased, who married Gilbert Will jams of Exeter.
 In 1875 Mir. Barker married Mrs. Ma ria F. (Sweet) Barker, (widow of his brother, Luther Crawford Barker) and sister of his first wife.
 Both MT. and Mrs. Barker enjoyed in the highest degree the confidence of all to whom they are known. Their hospitable home was always open to their friends and cordiality always toI be found, there. In 1880 he erected his present home a credit to his taste and an ornament to the town, with it's spa cious lawn and rare plants and flow CTS, so we'll arranged and tended by 1 his competent helpmate.
 While we view~his passing with sor- row and regret, yet, knowing that man Is mortal we rest in the fact that he was we'll prepared for the event. had well earned his rest. and has pascal to his reward. =