NORTHWESTERN IOWA ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION VOLUME II 1804-1926 R. J. Barrett One of the best known and most reliable business firms in Sioux City is that of the R. J. Barrett & Sons Company, cut stone contractors, who also bear the distinction of having been the pioneers in that line in this city. For four decades this firm has furnished practically all the cut stone for building operations in this vicinity and during this period has been regarded as absolutely trustworthy in every respect. Robert J. Barrett was born in London, England, on the 16th of March, 1867, and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Young) Barrett, bot also natives of that country, the father born at Portsmouth and the mother at Market Rasen. The family emigrated to America in 1871, locating first in Toronto, Canada, where they remained until 1881, when they crossed the border into the United States, settling in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the father engaged in business as a cut-stone contractor and where Robert J. Barrett of this review learned the trade. In 1887 Robert Barrett, the father, came to Sioux City, and established the firm of Barrett Brothers, his partner being James Barrett, who represented this district in the state legislature for two terms. The present firm of R. J. Barrett & Sons Company is a continuation of the original firm, which owned the first stone yard in Sioux City. The business was originally located at Third and Court streets but was later removed to its present location at First and Nebraska streets. This firm furnished the stone and stone work for practically all of the early buildings and schoolhouses of this locality, their first job being the Security National Bank building, at Fourth and Pierce streets, since remodeled and now occupied by the F. W. Woolworth Company. The Barrett concern was also awarded the contract for the first Bancroft school building and all subsequent school buildings in this city. Other buildings of note for which the Barretts supplied the stone were the Knapp & Spencer Company building, the First Presbyterian, First Methodist Episcopal and Lutheran Evangelical churches, the Tolerton & Warfield Company building, Warfield-Pratt-Howell Company, the Dymond (Winchester-Simmons Company), Farmers Loan & Trust Company building, First National Bank building, the new city hall and other important structures. Robert Barrett passed away in 1904 and is survived by his widow, who is still living in Sioux City at the age of eighty-one years. Robert J. Barrett, whose name introduces this article, acquired his education in the public schools of England and Canada and then learned the trade of jeweler and copper plate engraver. In 1894 he entered into partnership with his father under the firm name of R. Barrett & Sons, his father at that time becoming engineer of construction on the state building at Anamosa, Iowa. On July 1, 1920, the business was incorporated as R. J. Barrett & Sons Company, of which Robert J. Barrett is the president, Mrs. Maria Barrett the vice president and Robert W. Barrett the secretary and treasurer. In 1891, at Luton, Woodbury county, Iowa, Mr. Barrett was married to Miss Ruby Howe, the daughter of William Howe, of Braidwood, Illinois. They became the parents of three sons and one daughter, as follows: Florence, who is deceased; Robert W., who wedded Miss Katherine Kuhl and is the father of three children - Robert L., Betty Jane and Shirley May; George F., who was married to Miss Betty Nelson and has two children, Loraine F. and Phyllis M.; and Ralph W. Robert W. Barrett served on the Mexican border with the Second Iowa Regiment and was discharged in 1917 with the rank of sergeant. In June, 11917, he reenlisted in the Second Iowa Regiment and was stationed at Deming, New Mexico. He was made a sergeant and was assigned to the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Machine Gun Battalion. Later he was transferred to the machine gun battalion of the One Hundred and Thirty-third Regiment. He was sent to the Third Officers Training Camp at San Antonio; Texas, where he was commissioned second lieutenant and assigned to the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Machine Gun Battalion, with which he was sent overseas. While in France he was detailed to various camps and used in machine gun training until the signing of the armistice. He was discharged on July 8, 1919, as a second lieutenant, and returned home. Politically Mr. Barrett is independent of party lines, voting according to his judgment as to the fitness of candidates for the offices they seek. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men and formerly belonged to the Rotary Club, the membership in which is now held by his son, Robert W. Barrett. The name of Robert J. Barrett is on the membership rolls of the International Cut Stone Contractors' and Quarrymen's Association. He is a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church. As a diversion form the routine of business Mr. Barrett engages in the breeding of pigeons and rabbits, on which he is considered an authority, being a judge for the National Rabbit and Cavy Association, in which capacity he has served at Chicago, Omaha and other cities and at state tournaments. He is also fond of the game of billiards. Mr. Barrett owns a summer home on Madison lake in South Dakota. He is regarded as a man of sound judgment and keen foresight, progressive in his methods and public spirited in his attitude towards all efforts to improve his community along material, civic or moral lines. He has been a worthy example in all that constitutes true manhood and good citizenship and none more than he is deserving of the confidence and esteem of the entire community. Debbie Clough Gerischer Iowa Gen Web, Assistant CC, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ IAGENWEB: Special History Project: http://iagenweb.org/history/index.htm Gerischer Family Web Site: http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/