My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio published by Chapman Bros., in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

T. SWAYNE BARRETT, a miller and farmer of Spring Valley Township, although yet in early manhood, has gained an enviable reputation among the early citizens of Greene County for industry, intelligence and successful business management. His farm comprises one hundred and twenty acres of fertile land, mostly under cultivation.

Not only is Mr. Barrett successful as an agriculturist, but he is a practical miller, and has been engaged in that business since the age of twenty-one years, with the exception of six years passed in the grain and pork business and tilling the soil. The mill operated by Barrett’s Sons is known far and wide for the quality of the flour it produces, as well as for the courteous treatment the customers are always sure of receiving from the proprietors. By his genial manners and honorable dealings with everyone, Mr. Barrett has gained for the mill a wide patronage, and is still further increasing its trade and its facilities for accommodating friends.

A native of Spring Valley Township, Greene County, Mr. Barrett was born September 1, 1852. His parents were the Hon. Isaac M. and Rebecca (Swayne) Barrett. The former was a man of some prominence in political circles, and uniformly voted the Republican ticket. He was twice married, his first wife being the mother of our subject. She was the daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Smith) Swayne, the former born in Philadelphia, whence he removed to the northern part of Ohio, and later came to Clark County, the same State. His death occurred in Spring Valley in 1864, after a residence there of about five years. He had, however, lived in Clark County about twenty years. His wife passed away in Springfield. Their daughter Rebecca was one of a family of five children, namely: Joshua, a prominent physician of Springfield; Thomas, of Los Angeles; Mary, Rebecca and one who died in infancy. Politically, Mr. Swayne was originally a Whig, but after the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks, believing its principles to be more nearly correct than those of any other party. He was a brother of Chief Justice Noah Swayne, and by an upright life reflected credit upon the honorable name he bore.

At the age of three years our subject was deprived of a mother’s care, but her place was to some extent filled by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Swayne, who took their orphaned grandson into their home. Later Isaac Barrett was again married, and took his son into his own home. There he was given still more extended facilities for knowledge, attending the schools of Spring Valley, Springfield and Antioch. Being of a practical and independent spirit, he early commenced to make his own way in the world, and has succeeded in accomplishing many of the hopes cherished in youth. He has the hope of many years of life yet before him, and these will be filled with continued efforts in behalf of his family and his community.

Mr. Barrett, when twenty-five years of age, wishing to establish home ties of his own, was united in marriage, December 25, 1877, with Miss Carrie, daughter of William and Martha L. (Young) Weller, of Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio. William Weller followed the occupation of a farmer during almost the entire period of his life, which covered three-score and four years. He died in 1882; his wife yet survives, making her home in Spring Valley, Greene County. Religiously, both were members of the Baptist Church. Their family comprised one son, Samuel, and three daughters, Sallie, Mellie and Carrie, the latter being the wife of our subject. She was born September 15, 1855, in Centerville, Montgomery County, and received a good education in her native place and Springfield, Ohio. Her intelligence, refinement and winning ways have won her many friends in this community. She has borne Mr. Barrett three children — Mary Swayne, who died at the age of three years; Fred W., and Hazel C. The two survivors are bright children of ten and three years. Mr. Barrett, together with his wife, holds membership in the Society of Friends.

* * * *

This family biography is one of the many biographies included in Portrait and Biographical Album of Greene and Clark Counties, Ohio published by Chapman Bros., in 1890. 

View additional Greene County, Ohio family biographies here: Greene County, Ohio Biographies

View an historic 1901 map of Greene County, Ohio

View family biographies for other states and counties

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of family biographies.

Follow My Genealogy Hound: Follow me on Facebook