My Genealogy Hound

HENRY K. BARROWS, a representative of one of the old and most respected families of Chautauqua county, is a son of Levi and Abigail Putnam (Ransom) Barrows, and was born in Jamestown, Chautauqua county, New York, January 20, 1836. His grandfather was Abner Barrows, who was a native of the Green Mountain State, from which he came to this State and located near Saratoga Springs, where he farmed until his death. One of his sons was Levi Barrows, who became the father of our subject. He was born at Luzerne, N. Y., on March 26, 1804, and came to Stockton, this county, in 1832. He remained at the latter place only about one year, and then removed to Jamestown, where he resided until his death, which occurred March 10, 1863. At the latter place he entered into partnership with a Mr. Scott, the firm being engaged in the manufacture of sash, blinds, doors, etc. They also owned and conducted several farms in adjoining towns at the same time. Politically he was originally a democrat, but when the slavery question arose he transferred his sympathies to the abolitionists, and was one of the most energetic stockholders in the underground railroad which ran through this county. Later he belonged to the republican party. He was popular in his town, and for several years held the office of justice of the peace. Up to 1861 he was active in the management of his business, but advancing years coming upon him, he transferred his business to his sons, Henry R. and Ransom J., who continued it. Mr. Barrows was a deacon in the Presbyterian church to which he was attached for many years. In 1828 he married for his first wife Mrs. Abigail Putnam (Ransom), who became the mother of six children: Mary J. (deceased); Maria (deceased), wife of Alexander Hawley, who comes from one of the oldest families in Chautauqua county; Ransom J.; Sallie (dead) ; Henry R., and Orton, who died young. His first wife died in 1846, and he then married Sallie Canfield, in 1847, by whom he had three children: Halbert A., resides in Jamestown; Herbert L., lives in California, and Antoinette (dead). He was on the charter of the original Masonic; Lodge instituted in Jamestown, and took an active part in its history.

Henry R. Barrows was reared in the city of Jamestown, and acquired an education fitting him to succeed his father in business, which he did when twenty-five years of age, in connection with his brother, Ransom J., their association lasting twelve years.

In 1857 Henry R. Barrows married Lucy A. Ross, an estimable woman of Jamestown, and their union has been blest with three children: Abbie, died young; Kittie, wife of Henry C. Hitchcock, a prominent manager of a wholesale furniture house in Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Mande (dead).

When the great strife caused our martyred president to call on the States for troops, Henry R. Barrows enlisted July 29, 1862, in Co. A, 112th regiment, N. Y. infantry, as a private. He soon received promotion to second lieutenant, and before being mustered out, on November 26, 1863, was advanced to first lieutenant. Most of his term of service was spent at or near Suffolk, Va., and he was three times sun-struck, which forced him to resign. Since the war, Mr. Barrows has been engaged as a carpenter and joiner. He is a republican, and a member of James M. Brown Post, No. 285, G. A. R.