ALBERT L. BARKER

 

     Albert L. Barker is the able and expert chief engineer of the Old Colony Creamery and in addition is closely connected with business interests of Humeston as manager of the Princess Opera House.  He was born in Union township, August 14, 1871, a son of O. J. and Eliza (Almon) Barker, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Iowa.  Both passed away in Wayne county, the father dying in Humeston in 1906, at the age of sixty-nine, and the mother in Union township in May, 1872.  They were numbered among the earliest settlers in Wayne county.

     Albert L. Barker has remained continuously a resident of this section since his birth.  He acquired his education in the local public schools and after laying aside his books learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed until he was twenty-two years of age.  For the past nine years he has been at intervals chief engineer of the Old Colony Creamery Company of Humeston and is so engaged at the present time.  He is an expert in this line of work and has had broad practical experience in it.  In addition to this Mr. Barker has since 1907 been manager of the Princess Opera House and has done able and businesslike work in this connection, securing always high class attractions.  The building is owned by the Home Bank of Humeston and is one of the finest of its kind in the county, thoroughly equipped in every particular, lighted by electricity and supplied with a large modern stage upon which may be seen all of the modern metropolitan attractions.  The people of Humeston greatly appreciate the exceptional opportunities which this theater offers and reward Mr. Barker’s efforts by according him a liberal patronage.

     In 1894 Mr. Barker was united in marriage to Miss Ollie Stone, a native of Iowa and a daughter of A. H. and Asilee (Taylor) Stone, both of whom are residing in Arkansas at the present time.  Mr. and Mrs. Barker are the parents of a daughter, Wilma S., born in 1896, who attended the Humeston high school.  Mr. Barker has no political affiliations, preferring to cast his vote according to his personal convictions without regard to party lines.  Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church.  A man of high worth and sterling integrity, he is highly respected and honored in the community where his entire life has been spent.

 

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