The Solomon Gleason Barber Family

By G. L. Barber, Jr.

Solomon Gleason Barber, native of Vermont, who grew up in Columbus, Ohio, came to Texas with his wife, Sadie Ann, in 1876. He and his family journeyed to Texas by train and their destination was Troup. There was a delay in changing trains in Jacksonville, and while waiting for the train to Troup, Mr. Barber decided to remain in Jacksonville. His first place of residence was the Chessher House.

After four years of farming for others, Mr. Barber purchased a farm of 170 acres east of Jacksonville, near the present location of Cherokee Country Club. Here, he erected a cotton gin, modern for its day, and first in Texas known to use platform-type scales for teams and wagons. He was a progressive farmer. His homeplace was regarded as a "garden of Eden" with all types of fruit trees, including peaches, pears, apples and cherries. S. G. Barber invented a mechanical cotton planting device to replace the primitive hand planting used during his time. His gin was one of the first to use a suction pipe to unload seed cotton from wagons into the gin.

Mr. Barber and his family were early members of the Afton Grove Baptist Church.

Solomon Gleason Barber had three sons, Clyde, Byrd and George, and a daughter, Bessie, who died in infancy. He died in 1907 at age 63. George moved to town and embarked in the mercantile business. Clyde Barber continued farming until his death in 1942. Five of his six children survive, including A. N. Barber, who continues to occupy an extensive holding near the original homeplace. A farmer, he was County Democratic Chairman for more than twenty years. His son, John R. Barber, lives near; his grandsons and family reside with him and his wife.

Byrd Barber, also a farmer, owned a large tract just north of Cherokee Country Club. At one time, he had 6,000 peach trees. He was a pioneer in carload shipping of East Texas produce to northern markets. Of his five girls and four boys, survivors include Elmer and Woodrow Barber, Annie Lee Nunnally and Elva Lee Kennedy, Jacksonville, and Ruby Evans, Troup.

George Linda Barber was first a produce salesman representing local growers in northern markets. Crippled by an injury in his early thirties, he continued to be active and owned a grocery store and feed-fertilizer business. A graduate of Baylor University, he was one of the early local school teachers. He was for many years corporate judge of the City of Jacksonville. His associate and oldest son, George Lincoln Barber, continued his business. George Linda Barber was the father of three sons, now deceased, and two daughters. A grandson, George Lincoln Barber, Jr., now is executive vice-president of the Jacksonville Building & Loan Association, chairman of the Board of the Jacksonville Library Association, Rotary Club president, member of the Board of Nan Travis Memorial Hospital and serves on the Industrial Foundation board. His wife, Virginia, is president of the "Pink Ladies," auxiliary to Nan Travis Memorial Hospital.

George Lincoln Barber, III, survived by three brothers and one sister, gave his life in 1968 while serving as a Captain of Infantry in South Vietnam. He is the only member of the Barber family known to have died in service to his country, but many have served in the armed forces. He is survived by one son, George Lincoln Barber, IV.

Daughters of George Linda Barber not living in Jacksonville are Ruth (Mrs. Donald R. Partney), who lives in Little Rock, and Kathryn (Mrs. Ernest L. Goodrich), who lives in San Antonio. There are ten grandchildren.

The Lincoln Barber, Jr., family in 1960. Front, left to right, Craig, Mrs. Barber, Mr. Barber; back row, Steven, Ginny (Mrs. Charles Farmer), Bruce and Lincoln III.

Jacksonville High School graduating class of 1909 with their teacher, George L. Barber. Top row, left to right, Mary Wood Francis (Woodell), Ida Mae Lawler (Byrd), Lillian Holland (Kelley), Opal Hart (Fair). Front left, Juanita Taylor (Dean) and right, Cleo Sharrock from Oklahoma. No boys in that class.