2012.055.6 burton reynolds barber

7/24/2019 2012.055.6 Burton Reynolds Barber

1/6

Individual Re olds B RBER

Name:

Ids B RBE

Birth Date:

23 May 1860 Place: Green Oak, Michigan

r. Date:

Place:

Death Date:

18 Jun 1935

Place:

Kalamazoo Michigan

Burial Date: Place:

Cause of Death:

Bapt.(LDS):

Temple:

Endow.(LDS): Temple:

Father:

Samuel Lemuel BARBER-(5318] (1833-1897) MRIN:

18 8J

Mother:

Elizabeth FIELD-[5319] (1834-1891)

Marr. Date:

25 Dec 1882

Place:

Emmet County, Michigan

SealS (LOS): Temple:

Children:

Ivy Dell BARBER-[5335] (1883-

2

Lynn Irving BARBER-[5334] (1887-

3

Donald R BARBER-[5815] (Abt 1890-

4

Burton Milton BARBER-[5336] (1891-

Notes for BURTON R BARBER:

Author: IVY DELL BARBER BOYNTON

Subject: Burton Reynolds Barber

Date Written: May- 1941

Type: Essay - Lovingly dedicated to the five grandchildren

The Essay reads as Follows:

(copy on file)

BURTON REYNOLDS BARBER

)

)

"Burton

R

Barber was born

in

Green Oak, Livingston County, May 23,1860. His father was Samuel

L.

and mother

Elizabeth Field Barber-whose mother lived to be 96 years old. He had a brother, George, four years old, and a sister,

Anna, two years old at that time , and brother, Harry, born years later, who died at the age of sixteen . George and Anna

are still living-George in Bellvue, Wash . and Anna in Harbor Springs. As a very young child he remembered his father

and the men as they trained out on the hills for war service

in

the Union Army-1862-4. His father enlisted three times

before being taken and then for two years he cared for the sick and wounded-was in Co. A 11th Mich. Cav. The family

lived on the farm until he was 12 years old then moved to Brighton , where he attended school until March 1875, and

then they all moved to Harbor Springs, in northern Michigan, where they did some real pioneering work. Many Indians

lived around there. Aunt Anna says she was one of three white girls then living there-not much sociability for a girl

of

16

years.

Today she is the oldest person

in

that county

in

years

of

being a resident. They saw very poor times and had many

reverses-so much so, it inspired my father to do something to get ahead

in

life, and what hurt him most was to see his

mother work so hard and go without the necessary and needful things to make life happy .

On one of the windows dedicated

in

the Presbyterian church there you can see their names-Grandma Barber was a

true Christian and a lady greatly loved.

In 1885, Rev. Newell Dwight Hillis boarded and roomed with them. Later going to Harry Ward Beecher's large church

in

Brooklyn, N Y., and well-known among Presbyterians.

During 1875, my father, then 15, entered the employ

of

Hartwell and Feltus, a wood and lumber company, as clerk

in

their general store, working there about two years, when they sold out

toW

.

E

Parker and he continued with him for a

year and, in 1878, on account of health, went back to the farm and outdoor work. Fall and winter

of

1878 and '79 the

family spent on Beaver Island .

Fall and winter of 1879 and '80 -he went to Tallman, east of Scottville, and worked in lumber woods for Butters - Peters

Co. all winter, skidding log's, driving, cattle and second cook at camp , patching his mittens every night. He saved his

(continued on next page)

Produced by Legacy on 25 Jul 20


2/6

Individual Report for Burton Reynolds B RBER

Page

General: (cont.)

first $150.00 this winter. Gave $40.00 to his folks to pay taxes, and invested $95.00 in a village lot."

Summer of 1880 helped his folks on farm and this is his accounts

"Then in September went to help Burt Weston in General store for $6.00 per month and board for first six months, later

receiving $15.00. Then

in

1881 received small raise and became head clerk over General store and added Hardware .

In

September -1882 went into half interest partnership with Freeman Salisbury and bought out W . W. Bowers Grocery

business.

On December 25,

1882

married Sarah E Newkirk.

March 1883 sold out our interest in grocery store for $300.00 and in April went to work for Burt Martendale $40.00 per

month and

in

two months Martendale failed losing last $40.00 pay.

In

July went to work for W . J. Clark $30.00 for 9 months and $40.00 for 3 months per year. This was the best jobs

offered those days steady every day and sure pay and work, guess we did

step

6 to 6:30 A .

M.

to 9 or later every day

vacations not known then.

The summer

of

1884 we built our first little house on the lot at third St.

The summer of 1885 we gave up our first little house built, to father and Mother Barber to move into and we took their

100 acre farm up on Shore Road with a mortgage against it for $600.00 and we moved into Mrs. Washburn's house on

Main St. at $8.00 per month rent.

In the summer of 1886-we moved into Pearl Sexton's house at foot of Bluff at $4.00 per month.

In the fall

of

1883 (Sept.) lvydel was born and in 1887 (Jan.) Lynn was born.

In

April 1887 we bought a team

of

ponies and went up on farm; also fine cow, pigs and chickens, and we did work,

believe me. Mid-August helped Clark at odd days about 20 days when he was in a pinch. Raised about $80.00 worth of

tomatoes. Had plenty to live

on

for coming fall and winter. But sold off everything in fall and worked for A. J. Southard -

General Store and Banker. Living

in

Rooms at Father and Mother Newkirk's until spring of '88. Had paid off the

mortgage on the farm.

In the spring, April 1888, we borrowed $600.00 on farm and went to Grand Rapids and bought stock Groceries from

Shields Buckley and Lemon for $1150.00. Paid in $600.00 and went

on

our credit and nerve. Had enough cash to pay

the freight on goods to store on East Main St., Harbor Springs. In rented store at $4.00 per month also living

in

3 small

back rooms with Ivy and Lynn, our babies. Did we get business? I say The good folks of the town did come and trade

with us . Indians did come

in

flocks, so to speak. They gave me name of a "Fieety Bird

,

"Skoopinashee" at a feast time,

also the same time Clark the man I worked for his name "W. J. Wabigig" "Great wise old man." Business came so fast

we hardly could keep up with it. Had to put on delivery wagon and I went over to Beaver Island and bought a fine black

pony. Had delivery wagon made in Harbor Springs for $38.00. I never forget these things . I picked up good harness and

wasn't I proud when the outfit was complete and I sat behind own rig . In August I worked out and so sick . Father Barber

and Harry ran the store for 6 weeks and she made money and w ife and my mother took care

of

me and Dr. Cannon

pulled me out ok and back on the job.

The following spring 1889 we bought the house on Third St.

In the summer

of

1890, we built a fine or good 7 room house at West Third St., West

of

Episcopal Church also 24x32

barn we were setting fine doing big business. Then we moved into our new house about first of December.

On December 24, brother Harry died . Father and Mother came over and stayed with us 3 or 4 weeks after Harry died.

We soon sold the house in east end. During the summer we took over Hartwell Shoe Stock from Creditors-Ford and

Co., Toledo, Ohio and gave my note for the full stock few hundred dollars at this date , have forgot how much the stock

cost but I think about $800 and I bought fo r 40% on the dollar their cos

t.

Then I th ink I sold the farm out and got about $300 .00 or little over the mortgage. Then I went to Grand Rap ids and

bought about $800.00 bill shoes and we added to-fast.

Took over C. W. Caskey office building 12x34 and moved up on corner of Center and Main St. Cost us $40.00. Also

moved our stock to the corner building by side of Shoe Store we started , Father Newkirk clerked for us

in

shoe store.

In summer of 1890 I took Brother George in as partner giving him 1/2 interest with all privileges as my self. I took his

note for all

of

it, no interest, to get them started .

In

August

1891

Milton Burt was born .

In the fall of 1892 I had a sick spell coughing and couldn't stop.

I bought a span of horses, harness, and sleighs $295.00 from a mossback that thought the world was to come to an

end soon and he sold all his possessions. Yet in 1934 the world still stands. I drew

in

over 340 cord 18" wood and

corded up to become dry then made 50c cord extra on cord because of doing it.

In the spring of 1893 we sold out every thing I was dissatisfied for all we had good big business as both families

dreaned the profit and I couldn't be held back. We sold out to George Adams.

The summer of 1890 our store was broken into

on

saturday night and our safe was blown open lost about $120 .00

cash. I say had it not been for brother George we would

of

lost over $500.00 for I had put cash

in

safe and

he

came by

( onUnued on next page)



3/6


Page

General : (cont.)

and said "here don't leave that there all night." So I said , "you take care of it" and he did. Boys 10 days later found checks

and paper by side

of R R

tracks over

in

weeds and returned to store ok.

We

had hundreds of dollars standing on our books to collect and a big lot of loss we never got.

First

of

April 1893 I started for Chicago or West to find a place for Commerce General Cash Store and was hooked at

Fennville by Grand Rapids Dry Good - Shoe and Grocery firms who had Bankrupt stock to sell. I think we paid 55c on

the dollar for the stock of about five thousand dollars as we remember now. Well what change took place left our good

new home, moved what few house hold goods we had and wife and children came down to join me. Rented old house

and put things

in

order. Commenced business. Trade did come slow but sure. We moved $2400.00 Shoe Stock also.

In the spring of 1894 we bought a lot and built the Brick house at East Main St., Fennville. As one of the evidences of our

achievements and happy times spent there . As one place our kiddies never can forget such family gatherings we had.

Christmas and etc

What a loss came to us

on

Jan. 25, 1895. Fire had that morning sweep the whole block by 8 :00

A.

M. and we could

gaze on the smoldering smoke and ashes thinking of our business gone and loss of over $12,500.00 stock gone and

did no one any good. Carried 4 thousand dollar insurance owed 2 thousand on winter goods came into store and about

$500.00 on new spring shoes just came into store day before and owed freight bill on them. This left us over $1900.00

to start over agai

n.

Only one store left in town to do our kind business in and a man had a lease on that.

We

bought him

out then adjust with insurance companys . Such an experience we had.

We

had a real standing with past firms who

gave us all the goods we wanted to stock up a real store again and away we went again in less than a month. How we

did prosper paid dollar for dollar on every obligation and claim our success all we owe is being "honest with yourself,"

which will not allow others to suffer from your conduct in life.

Our encouragement and advice came from such men as

L.

J. Ringe and Logie, Sam Lemon and credit man

R

J.

Prendergust, Higgenbotham credit man of Marshall Field and Co. Chicago. Also

in

early business such a man as

Rowe, sold me car of flour

I

wasn't worth much) founder

of

Valley City Mill Co. and Lilly White Flour. Those were men I

gleaned some valued advice from.

Well about three years later we built the double store (Brick) at Fennville (1898-9), and moved into it. Happy days these

were for our kiddies too such interest

in

our progress.

We

sold the 7 room house at Harbor Springs built

in

1890. That

helped out a lot as we were paying off loans and we could use money to make money. Our double store gave us room

to expand and we did

in

all lines yearly."

End of His Account

"Besides his interest

in

Sunday School he was President of Christian Endeavor Society, and one July 4th started

across the State some 150 miles to go to Detroit to the Convention of Endeavors-45 miles a day was considered good

mileage (horse and buggy days) and Dad always had good horses to drive. He left the rig at Hamburg or Whitmore

Lake and went

on

by train .

In 1906, the year after Elon came to Fennville, Dan Shannon was our Evangelist and one day we were at Hutchins Lake

where he was baptising a number. Dad was there watching , and suddenly be walked down to Shannon and talked a

bit, came back to the buggy, rook off his coat and left his watch with us and returned and was baptised, leaving his

pocket-book still in his pocket. The folks had come into the Baptist Church by letter from the Presbyterian Church .

Mother being immersed many years before.

In those years our town had 4 saloons and when the question of local option came up, father used to go out speaking

on the temperance side.

In April1902 father bought the Dan Davis' farm, one north- west of Allegan, 79 acres for $3,350.00 and Uncle George

and family moved there and managed it for some time . Then later another place was purchased

in

Trowbridge Twp.

and Uncle George moved to that one and Ben Kinney and wife moved to the former one .

Later they were sold and went into Kalamazoo property.

In those days we children were given advantages that have been dear to us these many years . Besides the business

side of experiences, they gave us opportunities in the music field .

Lynn attended Orchard Lake Military Academy when it was a real school and was

In

the orchestra

of

25 pieces. He had

had very good violin teachers-Prof. and Mrs. Weed before going there and we had had our own little orchestra Burt M .

playing clarinets, I the piano, later Burt played the piano . The summer

of

1904, Uncle Ed and Aunt Anna Ferguson

invited us to furnish the music for noon and evening meals and especially on Sundays at their summer hotel

in

Harbor

Springs. (What good times we had )

The folks gave me two years at Albion College 1 "majored" as they say,

in

a Business course first year and Music the

second year.

Burt M. later took Business course at Parsons College at Kalamazoo. At the present he is playing the Hammond Organ

at the Bethel Church there, where he has been pianist for 25 years .

(continued on next page)



4/6


Page

General: (cont.)

Father used to get us the latest musical selections at Lyon and Healy's whenever he went to Chicago to buy goods-was

so thoughtful.

In 1907 Lemon and Wheeler Wholesale Grocers of Grand Rapids urged father to be their manager of the new branch

wholesale at Kalamazoo and

in

October Father, Mother and Burt M. went to live

in

Kalamazoo and into a new house at

510 Oak St. which they bought for $3,250.00."

CLIPPING

From Fennville Herald-Oct. 1907- when folks moved to Kalamazoo:

"Mr. Barber has always taken a deep interest in the Up- building of Fennville especially along educational and moral

matters. He has served faithfully as a director of the school board, is a member of the Free Baptist Church and served

for five years as a S. S. Supt.

He is treasurer

of

Damascus lodge

F

and A. M. and is also a member

of

the

K

0.

T

M.

Mr. Barber's success is largely due to plenty

of

push, hard work, and perseverance, having faith

in

what he undertook,

honest with himself and his patrons and always striving to improve his condition along moral as well as financial lines .

"

End of Clipping

"Lynn and I continued with the store at Fennville. He was married June 16, 1909. I was married the next Jan. 18th, 1910

and went to Kendallville, Ind., to live. Their gifts to us at these two occasions were

an

interest

in

the business to Lynn

and to me $500.00.

The folks bought a lot at corner of Paterson and M Burdict and built a large building 2 stores wide below and 3

apartments above each having five rooms and bath .

Lynn moved here with the Fennville stock

of

goods in 1911 .

The store building

in

Fennville was sold and

in

1935 or '36 was divided and a grocery stock is

in

the west side and

restaurant in the east side. Our old safe with father's name on it is still used in the grocery side.

Later the stock

of

goods were sold and a trade was made and a four apartment house was bought on John St. across

from Bronson Hospital, now a Methodist Hospital.

The folks' next building was on the corner

of

Portage and Washington St. and at this date Burt and Helen are occupying

it with a nice dry goods line.

Lynn and Lila moved to Flint

in

1914 and went into business there.

In Jan. 1914 father and mother went to Florida for the first time and spent 2 months.

In the spring of 1916, father bought the grocery stock in Battle Creek, and Burt and Helen and Elan took the stock to

manage.

In the spring

of

1917 Burt took part

of

the stock and returned to Kalamazoo and Elan continued four years more

in

Battle

Creek. Then

in

Oct. 1921 we moved back to Kalamazoo and occupied the new store build ing the folks built for us that

summer at 145 Burr Oak St. The 7 rooms and bath

on

second floor were very nice and pleasant, and I enjoyed them

much. A "dumb waiter' saved many steps for me .

In 1924 we sold stock and moved to Lansing and the building is rented to Krogers.

In 1925 the folks bought a cottage at West Lake and later traded it for a lot at Portage and Vasser.

In the fall

of

1917 father got a cold that settled in his bronchial tubes and bothered considerable so the Dr. suggested

Florida and they got ready and left in four days and the sunshine and outdoors soon had him well again , and he knew

that was the place for him and so settled for the winter

in

St. Petersburg. They bought a little place at 524 7th Ave . North,

and later sold that

in

the winter

of

'19 and '20 and built two nice white stucco bungalows each having 2 apartments

of

3

rooms, hall and bath, and a 3 car garage between. This is at the corner of Dartmoor and 9th Ave. North.

There they attended the Presbyterian church, corner

of

3rd St. and 4th Ave. North, and enjoyed it so much. There was a

large men's class, taught by a real fundamental Baptist preacher- and father did like his teaching

They left their membership

in

the Kalamazoo Pres. Church and gave $600.00 when the new church and church house

was built. Father was on the committee

in

about 1918 when Rev. Wert Dunning was chosen as pastor, which he

continued until 1938 when he resigned to be President

of

Alma College.

For a number

of

years father was an active quoit player and enjoyed such sports. Skating in the earlier years he also

enjoyed.

Father and mother were members

of

the Michigan Society nearly from its beginning and he was elected Vice President

in

the spring

of

1935, having refused offices as President and others many times . The membership is very large,

numbering some years around 1400 or 1500.

On December 25, 1932 father and mother celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary by giving a dinner at a hotel for

( o n t ~ n u e d on next page)



5/6


Page

General: (cont.)

several couples

of

their friends-4 couples also passing their 50th anniversaries at about that same time.

Mr . and Mrs. Putney of Kalamazoo were on the entertainment committee

of

the Michigan Society that winter and they

arranged a complete surprise for these couples, but because

of

illness

of

several , only father and mother were present

that evening meeting of December 15, 1932 around 600 being present.

The program was as follows:

I Love You Truly -Bond

At

Dawning-Cadman

Wedding March -Lohengrin

Recessional -Mendelsohn

Put On

Your

Old Gray Bonnett

When You And I Were Young, Maggie

When

Your Hair Has Turned To Silver''

Silver Threads Among The Gold

Minister presiding, Dr. J.

A

McClure (their pastor)

Soloist and Song Leader-C. S. Cornell

lone Miller Brubaker-Accompanist

L. B. Putney-Master

of

Ceremonies

President-George B. Selby

Vice-President-Andrew Sweazie

Secretary-Alice Dewey

Treasurer-Henry W . Smith

Program Committee - Mrs.

E S.

Dean

Mother was given a beautiful bouquet and later the blue bonnet with the blue ribbons on it.

Refreshments of ice cream.

Particular friends through these years are Mr. and Mrs. Perry Atkins,

of

Kalamazoo and St. Petersburg.

We as a family got together on June 18, 1933 to celebrate at our home-1002 So. Pennsylvania Ave . Lansing, Michigan

- Lynn and Lila bringing the beautiful wedding cake.

May 23rd, 1935, back at their home

in

Kalamazoo, father had his 75th birthday and apparently feeling as well as usual.

On May

30th

they drove over to the cemetery at Fennville, and had a nice day. On the way home he remarked, some

day they will be taking us over for the last trip, and that proved true so soon, as on June 18th, he passed away so

quietly with only a short 2 weeks and one-half

of

illness.

The sunshine he loved so much , came out so beautifully at the last services at the cemetery that it seemed like a real

benediction sent from above.

He was not afraid

of

work, but enjoyed it, glad for the chance

of

living, enjoyed company, glad to see young people get

started right in their life's work, was very kind in his home and with us children , and helped us in so many ways all thru

life a real father.

His good judgment was shown in the good christian girl he chose to be our mother and they together worked out their

life as quite an ideal one .

He took care of whatever they had-business, houses, good driving horses, autos, or whatever it was-and when it came

to finance and credit he had that and tried to instill into us the real values

of

life-one phrase he used many times, Be

good and you'll be happy.

Two days before he left us we were in an upper room and talking of spiritual things thru the past years , and he was so

happy-it's been a real blessing to me since .

Father and Mother could have traveled more, had more pretentious homes and what not, but choose to help us, in

business ways, in order to help ourselves and not be a burden on some one else-and to have a little to fall back on in

time of need

or

old age.

Yes, I am thankful to God for the Christian parents He gave me.

IVY DELL BARBER BOYNTON

May- 1941

Census: 1870, Green Oaks, Livingston County, Michigan, page 85, Post Office Brighton. 10 years old living with his

Mother and Father

Census: 1880, Little Traverse, Emmet County, Michigan, page 393A. 20 years old living with his parents

(con nued on next page)



6/6


General: (cont. )

Census: 1900, Manlius, Allegan County, Michigan, page 1 A

Line 11 Barber Burton R. head, Birth Month May, birth year 1860, 40, married, number o years married 17, born

in

Michigan, Father born in New York, Mother born in New York, occupation general merchant

Page

Line 12 Sarah, wife, birth month April , birth year 1864, 36, married , number

o

years married 17, mother

o

how many

children 3, number o these living 3 born in Michigan, Father born in Canada, Mother born in New York

Line 13

Ivy

D., daughter, birth month Sep., birth year 1883, 16, single, born

in

Michigan

Line

14

Lynn

1.

son, birth month Jan, birth year 1887, 13, single, born

in

Michigan

Line

15 Milton B.,son, birth month Aug, birth year 1891 , single, born

in

Michigan

Census: 1910, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, page 22A

Line 9, Barber B. R. head, white, 49, married, number o years o present marriage 27, born in Michigan, Father born in

New York, Mother born in Michigan

Line 10, Sadie, wife, 46, married, number o years o present marriage 27, number o children born

4

number still living

3, born in Michigan , Father born in New York, Mother born in New York

Line

11

, Bert M., son, 18, single, born

in

Michigan

Census: 1920, St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida, page 17B

Line

91

Barber Burton R. , head, home owner, 60, married, born in Michigan, Father born in New York, Mother born in

New York

Line 92 , Sadie E. wife, (can not read age), born

in

Michigan, Father born

in

New York, Mother born

in

New York

Census: 1930, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, page 158A

Line 7, Barber Burton R. head, owned home, value o real estate 5,000, 70, married, age at first marriage 25, born

in

Michigan, father born

un

U.S., Mother born in U.S.

Line 8 Sadie, wife, 55, married, age at first marriage 20, born

in

Michigan, Father born

in

U.S. , Mother born

in

U.S.

Produced by Legacy on 25 Jul

20

2012.055.6 burton reynolds barber

Documents