Israel Barr, a resident of Davenport, is one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the County. He resides on section eighteen and owns in the County over one thousand acres of wellimproved land. He was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, July 18, 1834, and is the fourth child born of the union of Simon and Susan (Kissingler) Barr. His father was a merchant, dealing in drugs and groceries, while in his native State. In 1846 he emigrated to Iowa, locating in Davenport, where he remained a short time, after which he purchased a farm near by and spent the remainder of his life there. He died June 21, 1878, and his wife in 1891.
Our subject received his elementary education in the public schools of his native town, after which he engaged as teamster on a canal boat. At the end of one year he returned to his father and assisted him until he reached his twenty-second year. He then worked one year at the carpenter's trade in Davenport, after which he entered a piece of land in Lincoln Township, on which he lived from 1854 to 1870. He then removed to the City of Davenport for the purpose of educating his children. After two years he made a purchase of one hundred and eleven acres of land, on which he now resides, two and one-half miles out of the city. While in the city he was engaged in the buying and selling of small grain. Mr. Barr is quite an extensive farmer and cattle raiser. He owns one of the finest herds of shorthorn cattle in the County, and he has been awarded numerous premiums at public fairs and exhibitions. He is also interested in thoroughbred horses. In politics he is a Democrat and an active worker in his party.
On the second of October, 1856, he was joined in the holy bonds of wedlock with Miss Sarah West of Clinton County, Iowa. Of this union have been born four children, viz: Charles W., William A., John E. and Sarah E. Mr. Barr is truly a self-made man and is always ready to help along any worthy public enterprise. He has been interested at different times in the banks of Davenport and at one time held stock in all of them. Mr. Barr receives the highest encomiums, from those who know him, for his honesty and business ability.
BIOGRAPHIES