For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 50
NICHOLAS BARRY, Jr. Nicholas Barry, Jr., prominently identified with industrial interests in Muscatine as the president of the Barry Manufacturing Company, is at the head of an extensive plant at No's 901 to 905 East Second street. He is widely recognized as one of the wealthy and influential residents of the city and makes his home at No. 802 Mulberry avenue.His birth occurred in Cleveland, Ohio, on the 22d of February, 1856, his parents being Nicholas and Alice ( Potts ) Barry, both of whom were natives of County Wexford, Ireland. The paternal grandfather, who was likewise born in County Wexford, Ireland, there passed away at an advanced age. His wife died in Cleveland, Ohio. Their children were as follows: Thomas, who was a resident of Cleveland; John Patrick, who made his home in Liverpool; Nicholas, the father of our subject; and Mary, who died in Alpena, Michigan. The last named was the wife of James McMillin. Wiliam Potts, the maternal grandfather of Mr. Barry, of this review, was also a native of Ireland and was a farmer and horseman during his active business career. He emigrated to the United States, but subsequently returned to the Emerald Isle, and there spent his remaining days. His wife was Miss Radford, who likewise passed away in Ireland. They reared a large family of children, including Mary, Catharine, Margaret, Ellen Judith, and Alice.
Nicholas Barry Sr., the father of our subject, was reared in Ireland and when a young man crossed the Atlantic to Canada. After a short time spent in that country he crossed the border into the United States, locating in Cleveland, Ohio, where he conducted a clothing business for some years. In 1856 he went to Chicago, Illinois, and later in the same year he removed to Rock Island, where he acted as superintendent of the gas-works. The year 1868 witnessed his arrival in Muscatine and this city has remained his place of resident continuously since. He served as superintendent of the gas-works here for eleven years, on the expiration of which period he opened a plumbing, heating and gas-fitting establishment, conducting business in association with his sons Patrick and Nicholas under the firm style of N. Barry & Sons. In 1889 the Barry Manufacturing Company was organized with the following officers; Nicholas Barry, Sr., president; Patrick Barry, secretary; and Nicholas Barry, Jr., manager. They manufactured lead pipe and lead specialties. Nicholas Barry, Sr., retired in 1894 but is still a stock-holder in the concern. He and his wife reside at No. 1305 Mulberry avenue and are faithful communicants of the Roman Catholic church. Their period of their rsidence in Muscatine covers more than four decades and they are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community. Unto them were born eight children, four sons, and four daughters, as follows: Patrick J., of Muscatine; Mary, who is the widow of Philip Fahey and likewise makes her home in this city; James, living in Chicago; Nicholas, of this review; Catharine, the wife of John Hadden, of Chicago; Alice, the wife of Frank Anson, of Muscatine; Thomas, of Muscatine; and a daughter who died in early life.
Nicholas Barry, Jr., was a lad of about twelve years when he came to Muscatine with his parents. He attended the parochial schools and later pursued a course of study in Snavely's Commercial College. After putting aside his text-books he familiarized himself with the trades of tinner and coppersmith and subsequently learned plumbing and steam fitting, following those occupations for many years. In 1876 he became a partner of his father and on the latter's retirement, in 1894, he and his brothers Patrick and Thomas continued the business under the old name of the Barry Manufacturing Company, which style has been maintained to the present time. In 1895 the company sold out the lead business and began the manufacture of pearl button machinery and supplies. Their plant consists of three buildings, the main building being forty- eight by one hundred and sixty-four feet and three stories in height; another building is thirty-four by ninety feet and one story high; and the third building covers twenty-two by on hundred and ten feet and is two stories in height. From one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five people are employed in the conduct of the business. Nicholas Barry, Jr., who is now at the head of the concern, is a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment, and his executive ability and excellent management have been potent factors in its continued growth and success.
In July, 1879, Mr. Barry was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary McCarthy, a native of Davenport and a daughter of Daniel and Emily ( Hall ) McCarthy, of Rock Island, Illinois. They were natives of Ireland and Kentucky respectively but became early settlers of Davenport, Iowa. Their children were five in number, namely: Nancy, the widow of Thomas Newcomb; Sarah, the wife of Michael Kelly; Mrs. Barry; and Daniel and Charles, who died in early manhood. Mr. and Mrs. Barry are also the parents of five children. George William, who is employed as a machinist and foreman by the Barry Manufacturing Company, wedded Miss Lillian Dale, by whom he has one daughter, Genevieve. John C., a draughtsman and mechanical engineer, married Miss Edith Harrison, by whom he has a daughter, Evelyn. Florence is the wife of John J. Fuller and the mother of one daughter, Marian. Leo married Miss Lydia Borgstadt and has one daughter. Marie, who attends school, is still under the parental roof.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Barry has supported the men and measures of the democracy, believing firmly in its principles. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Columbus, and both he and his wife belong to the Catholic church. No breath of suspicion has ever assailed his good name and on the contrary he stands as a splendid type of the honorable, reliable, successful man, the public-spirited citizen and the trustworthy friend.
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