1904 Biography - WALTER R. BARBER

Among the many successful stockmen of the section of Idaho where he maintains his home, there is perhaps not one who is more thoroughly acquainted with the technical knowledge necessary to conduct extensive cattle-raising operations to success, than is the unpretentious subject of this review, who, during all of the period of his active life, has made this important department the subject of his special care and the field of his intelligent and successful business endeavors. Occupying, as he does, a truly representative position in this capacity, a suitable mention of his activities falls within the scope of this volume, and the historian is pleased to be able to preserve the record for an incentive to coming generations, and for an example that others may see how this grand' country of immense possibilities rewards the diligent laborer.

Walter R. Barber, now a resident of Bingham county, Idaho, where his finely improved ranch of 320 acres is pleasantly located five miles north of Freedom, Wyo., was born on January 14, 1859, at Lehi, Utah, the son of George and Louisa (Raymond) Barber. His father, a native of England, and a son of Robert Barber, was for many years a seaman in the merchant service of the Atlantic, who. becoming a convert to the doctrines of the Church of Latter Day Saints, followed an ox team "the plains across" in 1850, thereafter engaging in the sale of agricultural implements at Logan, Utah, for many years. His death occurred in Chihuahua, Mexico, and his remains are buried at Logan. At his death he had attained the age of sixty-five years, being at that time the president of the high priests' quorum. The mother, a native of Vermont, came to Salt Lake City with her parents in her early childhood, her father. Pierce Raymond, dying on the plains before arriving at the end of his journey, and, after a life of beneficent usefulness, she now resides at Logan at the age of sixty-five years, being the mother of eight children.

The subject of this review was a resident of the Cache Valley of Utah until he was twenty-nine years old, and, in these early years, he developed a strong physique, an accurate judgment and a wise discrimination of the merits of the various breeds of cattle raised in this part of the country, becoming extremely well qualified for the life of a stockman. In 1882 he first engaged in this line of industry for himself, locating then on Salt River, Wyoming, taking up a homestead of 160 acres on Jackknife Creek, and also purchasing 160 acres in Bingham county, Idaho. At a later date he made his home at Tin Cup, Bannock county, Idaho, where he was the proprietor of 640 acres of productive land. Selling his property, he made his location at his present residence in Bingham county, where he has 160 acres of land, which his industrious and active endeavors are rapidly transforming into conditions of rare capability for conducting his cumulative and profitable cattle-raising, his knowledge of the business bringing him highly satisfactory financial returns from the large herds of superior cattle he is ranging, Baldface animals being his favorite stock.

Mr. Barber is interested in all public matters as a member of the Democratic political party, but has no "bee in his bonnet" for any public or political office or position, while in the Mormon church he is performing most useful service as a member of the Seventies. In October, 1893, Mr. Barber was married, the bride being Miss Clara Whittle, a native of Utah, and a daughter of Casper and Mary A. (Harris) Whittle, her parents being early Mormon immigrants into her native state, where the father lived until his death and the mother still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Barber have one child, Mary, born on August 12, 1894, and the family occupies a well-defined position in the community of their residence.

Extracted from Progressive Men of Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Fremont and Oneida Counties, Idaho, published in 1904, pages 29-30, contributed 2021 Jun 15 by Norma Hass