This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: BARBER, ANDERSON Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/zk.2ADI/443.442.1.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Here is the Joseph L. BARBER biography, extracted from the Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa; pub. 1915, B. F. Bowen & Co., Inc.; page 877-79. JOSEPH L. BARBER. The farming interests of Shelby County, Iowa, are carried on by an active and intelligent class of men, who are thus performing their share in maintaining and extending the welfare of their county. Among the progressive farmers of the county, Joseph L. Barber, occupies a conspicuous place. He has been paying particular attention to the raising of fine stock, and his Chester White hogs have won him a reputation which extends beyond the limits of his county. He has one of the finest country homes in the county, and his farm of 160 acres presents a very attractive appearance in every way. Joseph L. Barber, son of John K. and Sarah (HARTER) BARBER, was born January 10, 1868, in Pennsylvania. His father was born March 25, 1838, in Union County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of James Barber, a native of the same state. James Barber married Mary MAZE, and to them were born eleven children. John K. Barber was educated in the schools of Union County, Pennsylvania, and when a young man worked at the carpenter trade in his native state. A short time after his marriage, he came with his family to Iowa and located near Oakfield, in Audubon County. In 1882 he moved to Shelby County and rented a farm in Harlan Township, which he operated for four years, after which he purchased a farm in Polk Township, where he lived for 22 years, and then rented it and moved to Kirkman, where he is now living a retired life. He served as school director in Polk township, and since moving to Kirkman has served as Mayor and Alderman of the city. John K. BARBER was married in 1856 to S! arah E. HARTER, daughter of Samuel and Mary (WOLF) HARTER, of Clinton County, Pennsylvania, and to this marriage have been born eleven children: Chestie N., the wife of Jacob AURACHER; James D., who married Minnie WHITTED; Mary C., the wife of Eli MONTGOMERY; Samuel D., who died in infancy; Carrie M., the wife of Milo SHARK; Arabella M., the wife of J. L. HARRIS; Joseph L.; Charles W., who married Sylvia LACY; Maggie A., wife of George LAWSHE; John F., who married Nettie CARTER; and Effie J., wife of John ERICKSON. Joseph L. Barber was only about one year old when his parents moved from Pennsylvania to Iowa, and consequently received all of his education in this state. He was fourteen years of age when his parents settled in Shelby County in 1882, and the remainder of his life has been spent within this county. According with the custom of farmers' boys in Iowa, as well as every other state in the Union, he worked on the farm during the summer seasons and went to school during the winter months. He continued to stay on the home farm after he left school until he was 22 years of age, when he rented land and started in to save money in order to buy a farm of his own. He continued as a renter until 1909, when he bought 160 acres, where he is now living. Since acquiring this farm, he has erected a beautiful home, one which ranks with the finest residences in Shelby County. He has also put up several commodious barns and other out-buildings, so that his farm today stands as one of the! model farms of the county. He has gained a high reputation as a stockman and has had remarkable success in raising all kinds of livestock. He makes a scientific study of farming and is ranked among the successful agriculturists of his county. Politically, Mr. Barber is a Democrat, while his religious connections are with the Standard Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a breeder of the Chester White hogs, having a herd of 300 head now, known as the International Herd. He holds an annual sale of Chester White hogs, and on February 25, 1914, held a sale averaging eighty-four dollars and thirty-five cents for fifty head. He also farms 128 acres besides his own land. Mr. Barber was married March 25, 1894, to Lina ANDERSON, daughter of Marcus and Christina (JACOBS) ANDERSON, of Illinois, and to this union have been born four children, Eva, Lela, Cecil and Dale, all of whom are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are natives of Norway and came to Illinois where they remained all their lives. (end) I hope this helps you in your research.