My Genealogy Hound

CAPT. R. F. BARKER, foreman of the smelting works, S. W. L. & Z.. Co., Joplin, Mo., was born in Lincoln county, Maine, March 1, 1843. His parents, Jacob and Anna (Ham) Barker, were also natives of the Pine Tree State. His father was born in 1796 and died in April, 1863. His mother was born in 1800 and died in 1876. Subject grew to maturity in his native state. Was educated in the common schools and the Lewiston academy, at Danville, Maine. When twenty-one years of age he went south to New Orleans and remained there a short time, then to Mobile, Ala. In the spring of 1857 he went to Iowa, locating in Linn county, where he engaged in farming until the breaking out of the war. In the spring of 1861 he enlisted in Company A, Sixth Iowa Infantry, Colonel McDowell commanding, and served until the summer of 1865. He participated in the battle of Shiloh, Corinth, Memphis, in those around Atlanta, at Vicksburg, with Sherman on his march to the sea, and in all his subsequent campaigns. Was wounded by a minie ball in Tennessee, the ball entering the left breast, just above the heart and coming out to the right of and beneath the left shoulder blade. Was at that time first lieutenant in command of the company, and after being shot gave command for the company to rise and fire, then relinquished his command, ordering a sergeant to take his place, and retired. He was taken to the hospital where he remained six weeks. He returned to his command at Kenesaw Mountain, and enlisted as a private but was at different times promoted, and after the battle of Jackson Miss., was commissioned captain of Company A. Was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., and discharged at Davenport, Iowa, in the summer of 1805, and came to Missouri in the spring following, locating at Carthage. Engaged at different occupations for a number of years. Came to Joplin in the winter of 1873-74 and engaged in smelting for about five years. Was then appointed foreman of the smelting works of Picher L. & Z. Company, and has since held that position. Mr. Barker was married in Carthage in 1872.