This is a Message Board Post that is forwarded to this mailing list. Author: Terry Willis <[email protected]> Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AWB.2ACE/2296 Message Board Post: SENATOR JAMES R. BARR SUCCUMBS TO INJURIES-------The venerable James R. Barr, aged almost 80 years, distinguished citizen of Cambridge and leader in Republican politics, passed away at 9:20 o'clock Tuesday morning at his home in the Bennett Apartments, corner Tenth street and Steubenville avenue, to which he had been confined for several weeks as the result of a fractured hip, sustained when he fell on a slippery pavement near his resident. His name has been indissolubly associated with progress in and about this city that virtually every resident is familiar with his long and useful career, which was rife with accomplishments. He was born in Cambridge Township on April 15, 1854, on farm three miles north of this city, son of Samuel C. and Mary Dunning Barr, both of whom came here in 1838 from Washington County, Pennsylvania, and were married in this county. Samuel C. Barr purchased a farm of 160 acres, which consisted mostly of virgin timber, which he began clearing. In due course of time he prospered and subsequently owned 600 acres of land and became extensive sheep raiser and wool grower. James R. Barr, who spent his youth on his father's farm was educated in the county district schools and select schools. He became a school teacher and taught in the rural districts of Guernsey County for several years, then attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor where he took a course in pharmacy. Returning to Cambridge he engaged in the drug business for one year. Being a Republican in politics like his father, who at various times held township offices, he took an active interest in the affairs of his party and decided at the insistence of his numerous friends to be a candidate for clerk of courts. He was nominated by his part in 1881 and was elected. He served two terms of three years each, one of which was in the old Guernsey County Courthouse. It was during his administration that the present office was constructed and occupied. At the expiration of this period as a public servant he became a member of the Cambridge board of education and served for six years. He likewise was elected to city council for a two year term and from 1890 to 1894 was the mayor of Cambridge. His administration in the this capacity was generally approved by the citizens of Cambridge and he received hearty commendation for numerous matters of progress which resulted from his leadership. He served as state central committeeman for three years and chairman of the Republican county committee for two years. In June 1896 he was a delegate to the Republican national convention at St. Louis, which nominated William McKinley, his long-time personal friend, for president. As a reward for his part allegiance and activity in local polities President McKinley appointed him as Postmaster of Cambridge in June 1897, and took office on July 1. He served by re-appointment by President Roosevelt and Taft in this capacity until Feb. 4, 1910, and according to a consensus of opinion was one of the most painstaking postmasters this city ever had. It was during this period that the free delivery of mail in Cambridge was instituted, also the free delivery of rural mail. Mr. Barr then retired to private life and engaged in the real estate business. He continued his activity as a party leader, however, and ten years later, in 1920 was nominated at the popular primary and later elected to represent the Eighteenth-Nineteenth district in the Ohio Senate, 84th General Assembly. At the regular session of that body in 1921, Senator Barr served as chairman of the committee on library and was a member of the insurance, labor, mines and mining, public health, roads and highways, state buildings and village committees. For several years he was owner and publisher of the The Republican Press, a weekly newspaper, devoted to general news and recognized as one of the leading voices of the Republican part in this section. Mr. Barr was married on April 7, 1880 to Adrianna Ferguson, daughter of Hiram C. and Amanda (Baldridge) Ferguson, prominent citizens of this county. Four daughters were born to this union; Mrs. J. I. Wilson, of Cambridge; Mrs. Jesse E. Slingluff, also of Cambridge; Mrs. Spence C. Krigbaum, of Marietta, and Mrs. C.W. Frazier, of Bridgeport. In addition to his widow and four daughters, Mr. Barr is survived by eight brothers and sisters as follows; Mrs. Jemima Willis and S. C. Barr, of Cambridge; Mrs. Elmer Hague of New Castle, PA., Mrs. William Norris, of Ravenna; Mrs. Arthur Watson, of Cleveland; John Barr of Portland, Ore.; and William and Joseph of Marion, O., James R. Barr is the second of his family of ten children to die, the first dying in infancy. Mr. Barr, was Thirty-Second degree Manson and belonged to the Cincinnati Consistory. Mr. Barr was active until a few weeks ago when injuries sustained in the fall on the ice confined him to his last. He was a widely known throughout this section, was familiar with many of early developments in Guernsey County and in the declining years of life enjoyed sitting with his friends and recount events which transpired many years ago. He was a neighbor in the true sense of the word, charitable to a high degree and especially devote himself to visiting and comforting the sick He was always interested in civic affairs and over a period of many years was the leader in numerous reforms and matters of advancement from which this city has derived great benefit. He was particularly aggressive during the boom days when Cambridge was growing rapidly and new industries were being obtained. He was fearless in asserting his opinion on outstanding issues and his advice was frequently sought throughout life. As all men in public life he was sometimes criticized by his opponents but he bore this criticism well and never let it inter his demise is sincerely regretted by all who knew him His body rests at the home of his daughter Mrs. J. E. Slingluff, 219 North Tenth Street, where funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon, with Rev. Lester S. Evans D. D. his pastor, in charge. Interment will be made at Northwood Cemetery. Although a great lover of flowers it was his request that friends please omit them. 2 January 1934 Cambridge Jeffersonian. PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF GUERNSEY COUNTY. James R. Barr is editor of the Republican Press, printed in Cambridge. He has frequently served the public in official portions, and made a good record as Mayor of this place, to which he was elected in April 1890, and re-elected two years later. In 1881 he was chosen to serve as County Clerk, and was returned to the office in the election of 1884. He served as a member of Cambridge Board of Education for six years, being President of the board part of the time. In politics he was an active member of the Republican organization, having been connected with the County Executive Committee of this county for fourteen years, and was twice chairman of that body. In 1891 he became a member of the State Central Committee which honor he still enjoys. Samuel C., father of James R. Barr, was born in Washington County, PA., July 29, 1824. His parents, James and Sarah (Clemens) Barr, were natives of County, Tyrone, Ireland, and coming to the Untied States about 1805, settled in Washington County, PA. In 1836 they removed to Harrison County, Ohio and eight years later to Guernsey County. They lived on a farm unit the father's death which occurred in July 1853, at the age of eighty-six years. His wife died January 6, 1873, in her eighty-seventh year. They had seven children, namely; Isabel, who died at the age of twenty-two years; Ellen, who became the wife of Robert Barr, and died in 1890 in Washington, PA.; Esther, who was the wife of Hiram Barrett and after his death came to this county; John R. who died 1854, on the old homestead; Samuel C. the next order of birth; Robert S., who studies medicine and was engaged in practice at the time of his death which occurred in 1855; and one son which died in infancy. Samuel C. Barr married Miss Mary Dunning, whose parents were also natives of Ireland, and early settlers of Washington, County, PA. Mr. and Mrs. Barr had born to them ten children, as follows; James R.; Jemima A., wife of George Willis, a farmer of this county; John M. who is teaching and practicing law in North Power, Ore.; Sarah, wife of Elmer Hague, who resides in Cambridge; Joseph E., a farmer of this county; William L., living in Cambridge; Mollie B., wife of William Norris, of Cambridge; Samuel C.; Myrtle C., at the home; and Ella M. who died in childhood. The father of this family owns three hundred and forty-two acres of land in Cambridge Township. He is a Republican and served as Trustee of the township for over twenty-five years. A native of Cambridge Township, James R. Barr was born April 15, 1854, and was reared on this father's farm, where he remained until eighteen years of age. At that time he began teaching, which profession he followed for five years. In the winter of 1878-79 he took a course in pharmacy at the Michigan State University, and the following year was in partnership with C.L. Wall in the drug business. His public and official duties occupied the major portion of the next twelve years of life. March 1, 1891, Mr. Barr became the editor of the journal which he since conducted with ability. The circulation of the Republican Press is more than local, for the paper considered one the best to be found in the county, and its many friends are more than satisfied with its present management. April 7, 1881, our subject married Ada Ferguson, daughter of Hiram C. and Amanda (Baldridge) Ferguson. Four children have come to bless this union, as follows; Vera, Ada, Fay and Eva. The parents are esteemed members of the Presbyterian Church. Socially Mr. Barr belongs to the Knights Templar, is a Thirty-second Degree Manson, and also belongs to Cambridge Lodge, K. of P. The name of James R. Barr was sent to the Senate Saturday by President McKinley to succeed Capt. McIlyar as postmaster at Cambridge. On Monday the nomination was confirmed. On Monday Drs. A. Wall, B. A. Souders and O .F. Lowry were appointed members of the Guernsey County Pension Examining Board. J. M. Galligher was appointed postmaster at Quaker City; S. D. Ross, at Kimbolton; and S. H. Moore at Milnersville. They will assume the duties of office in a few days. They were all endorsed by Congressman Van Voorhis. The Republican Press Thursday June 10, 1897 Cambridge Ohio.