Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 881
E. H. BARRETT

The history of Harrison county, Iowa, is not a very old one. It is a record of the steady advance of civilization, which within the last century reached this section, finding it in its virgin wilderness, and which has attained to its present high status without other aids than those of industry. The people who redeemed its wilderness fastnesses were strong-armed, sturdy sons of the soil, who hesitated at no difficulty and for whom hardships and privations held small error. The early pioneers, having blazed the pathway of civilization to this part of the state, finished their labors and passed from the scene, leaving the country to the possession of their descendants and to others who came at a later period and builded on the foundations which they had laid so broad and deep. As conditions of living in this section improved, one by one various modern institutions appeared, until today we of this favored section of the country can boast of all modern advantages. Among these modern institutions stand first of all the banking system which has sprung up and been of untold value in the work of developing the resources of this section, and among the men who have brought about this gratifying condition of affairs is the subject of this sketch, E. H. Barrett, the efficient financier, president of the Citizens State Bank of Dunlap.

Mr. Barrett was born in this state, having first seen the light of day in clinton county, on March 8, 1861, being a son of Michael and Rose (CAULFIELD) Barrett, both of whom were natives of the Emerald Isle. It is a coincidence that both parents of the immediate subject of this sketch emigrated to America in the year 1847, at a time when the father was fourteen years of age and the mother twelve, both, of course, accompanying their respective parents. Mr. Barrett's paternal grandfather, Jacob Barrett, settled in New York state in the famed Genesee valley, where for several years he farmed. Not being completely satisfied with their original location, they decided to emigrate still further westward and for a time resided in Indiana. It was in the year 1852 that Jacob Barrett came first to Iowa, and during the year 1854 he brought the family and settled in Clinton county. During all this time Michael, father of our subject, was with his parents and accompanied them to this state, bringing with him his young wife whom he had married in Indiana in the vicinity of Madison. Mr. Barrett's mother's family (Caulfield) had first settled in Buffalo, New York, after reaching this country, but later removed to Madison, Indiana.

Michael Barrett's first vocation in this state was that of farming in Clinton county, where he remained until 1867, having for five years been engaged in the mercantile business in Wheatland. After leaving Clinton county, he took up his residence in this county, locating on a farm about one mile south of the town of Dunlap. He gave his attention to agricultural work until 1871, when he moved to Dunlap and opened up a mercantile business at that place, which venture has had a long and prosperous career. Michael Barrett still lives at an advanced age, a remarkable gentleman for his years. His wife passed from this life in 1909, on May 28, at the age of seventy-four years.

E. H. Barrett is one of a family of ten children, being the fourth in the order of birth. Of this family, but three have passed into the Great Beyond. Bessie M., the eldest of the family, is the wife of M. C. Dally, of Dunlap. Jennie M. is the widow of J. M. Smith, and resides at Waterloo, this state. M. J. is associated with his brother, E. H., in the Citizens State Bank of Dunlap and fills the office of vice-president, while J. F., a younger brother, is connected with the same institution, in the capacity of cashier. Mary is the wife of Dr. William Beatty, who has retired from the practice of his profession and is also connected with the Citizens State Bank in the capacity of first vice-president. Nellie is the wife of Frank Gallagher and resides at Salt Lake City, Utah, where her husband is editor of the Salt Lake Tribune.

Subject received his elementary education in the schools of Dunlap and when a young man entered Bryant's commercial school at Chicago for the purpose of obtaining a complete course in business training. He was graduated from that institution in 1878 and returned to his home in Dunlap, where he shortly afterward entered his father's business as bookkeeper, in which position he served until 1884, when he was received into partnership with his father. Soon after becoming a member of the firm he assumed active charge of the business and remained in that capacity until 1912, when the business was reorganized and incorporated under the firm name of The Ludden Company and is one of the larger institutions of its kind in this section. M. J. Barrett, brother of the subject of this sketch, entered the firm in 1887, at which time the firm name was changed to M. Barrett & Sons, and thus remained until the reorganization above referred to in 1912. E. H. Barrett has been active in financial circles for many years. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Dunlap, which institution was launched in 1889 and served in the capacity of director from the time of its organization until March of 1894. At that time, Mr. Barrett organized the Citizens State Bank of Dunlap and was elected to the presidency of the new institution, in which capacity he has since served, and much of its high standing and prosperity is due to his excellent business judgement and financial ability of a high order.

On August 17, 1892, Mr. Barrett was united in marriage with Miss Jessie DEAN, daughter of H. F. and Electa (PELHAM) Dean, the former of whom was a veteran of the Civil War. Mrs. Barrett was born in Clinton county, this state, but her family were originally from New York state. For several years her father engaged in farming in Clinton county, later removing to Westside, in Crawford county, and finally becoming a citizen of this county, where he and his wife both passed away.

Mr. and Mrs. Barrett have an interesting family of three children, Marjorie, David Dean and Gerald M. Mr. Barrett's religious affiliation is with the Roman Catholic church. He is a strong adherent of the Democratic party, and is regarded as one of the strong men of that party in this vicinity. While not himself aspiring to office, his wide influence is well known and his good will sought by those who do seek the honor of ublic office. He was sent by his party as a delegate to the national convention at St. Louis and is regarded as a man of influence in political circles. His fraternal affiliation is held with the Modern Woodmen of America, through the local lodge at Dunlap, and he is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Council Bluffs. Mr. Barrett is regarded as one of the most influential citizens of this vicinity and is rated high in the esteem of all. He is in every respect worthy of that regard, for besides being a man of unusual ability, he is also a man of generous impulses, broad in his sympathies and kindly in his relations with his fellowmen. He is a wide-awake man of affairs, who generously gives of his time and ability to the promotion of the general welfare of the community in which his lines have fallen.

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