This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: BARCLAY, BIGELOW, MUNN, FELL, FLEMING Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/kFB.2ACE/4161 Message Board Post: Warren Y. Barclay, vice-president and general manager of the Barclay, Ayers & Bertsch Company, is one of the self-made men of Grand Rapids of whom the city has every reason to be proud. Forced to begin his battle with life at a tender age, he was denied many of the advantages which it is assumed youth should enjoy, and his success has been attained without the aid of outside influences, having been acquired in spite of obstacles and discouraging circumstances. Mr. Barclay is a product of Kent County, having been born in the little community of Smyrna, March 27, 1851. His father was Charles Barclay, who came to Grand Rapids in 1854 and established a brick yard, but in 1860 transferred his attention to agricultural pursuits and passed the remainder of his life therein with the exception of the time he spent as a soldier of the Union during the Civil war. Warren Y. Barclay was educated in the public schools, and when but fourteen years of age was compelled to give up his studie! s to work on the home farm, his father having joined the army. From 1860 until 1870 he was in the employ of W. D. Foster, and in the latter ear transferred his services to E. G. Studley as a salesman, until he was taken into partnership in the firm of Studley & Barclay, in 1890. From that time to the present his history has been that of the company with which he is now identified, and the credit for the success of which rests largely in his splendid business ability and preserving energy. Mr. Barclay is not only ranked with the able business men of Grand rapids, but stands high as a citizen who is ever ready to do his full part in constructive work. He is a Republican in his political views and an attendant of the Fountain Street Baptist Church. He was first married in 1863 to Miss Dora A. Bigelow, of Grand Rapids, and they had three children: J. Myrtle, widow of Ralph Munn, of Auburn, N.Y.; Estella B., wife of Bert Fell, of Chicago, Ill., and Wallace G., of Grand Rapids. Mr! s. Barclay died in 1889, and in 1893 Mr. Barclay married Mrs. Maude J. Fleming, of Trenton, Mich.