Barker, John Russell

BARKER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/17/2021 at 21:39:21

Source: History of Warren County, Iowa, by Gerard Schultz and Don L. Berry, The Record and Tribune Co., Indianola, Iowa, 1953, p.282

JOHN RUSSELL BARKER
John R. Barker, postmaster of Indianola for 12 years, was born Nov. 6, 1889, the son of Arthur W. and Ida (Cheshire) Barker. His paternal grandfather, M. R. Barker, a native of Gallipolis, Ohio, was a pioneer merchant of Indianola. His maternal grandfather, John Cheshire, a native of Romney, Virginia., was also an early merchant of Indianola. John Cheshire moved from Virginia to Ohio and then to Iowa, arriving at Indianola on Oct. 15, 1855. The next spring he traded his wagon and team to R. Babb for his stock of merchandise and went into business. He became the first president of the Warren County State bank.
John R. Barker attended Indianola high school and Simpson college. He served in the U. S. army during World War I, and was assigned to the postal service, both in camp at Deming, New Mexico., and in service in France. From 1922 to 1934 he was postmaster of Indianola. He belongs to Warren Post No. 165, American Legion, and Lyons-Butler Post No. 4123, Veterans of Foreign Wars. He is also a member of the Indianola Park Board. In his religious conviction he is a Presbyterian, and his political ties are with the Republican Party. Address: 401 East Fourth avenue, Indianola.