Biography of George William Barrow, Crestview, Okaloosa County, FL

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Transcribed from:  The History of Florida:  Past & Present, The Lewis Publishing Co., Vol. 
II, page 207, 1923.

BARROW, GEORGE WILLIAM.  An enlightened understanding and trained faculties contribute 
materially to individual success in these modern times, and more and more is the world at 
large asking for educated men for all accepted lines.  Because of this demand the work of 
the educator has increased in dignity and importance, and some of the ablest teachers the 
profession has known have been developed, men of scholarly attainment, broad viewpoint 
and deep understanding, who make their knowledge a stepping-stone for others to attain 
positions of responsibility.  One of the capable educators of West Florida is GEORGE WILLIAM 
BARROW, of Crestview, county superintendent of the Board of Public Instruction of Okaloosa 
County, who has made rapid strides in the ranks of his calling.

Mr. BARROW was born on a farm in Okaloosa County, August 11, 1895, and is a son of M. R. 
and MARY C. (TURNER) BARROW, natives of Florida, who are both residents of Okaloosa County.  
Mr. BARROW, who is a well-known and highly respected citizen of his community, is engaged 
successfully in the pursuits of farming and stock raising, having won prosperity in his 
chosen calling through the exercise of industry and good management.  While he takes an 
active and intelligent interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare, he has 
never sought public office nor position at the hands of his fellow citizens, although he 
wields an influence for progress and advancement in the community in which he has always 
made his home.

GEORGE WILLIAM BARROW attended the public school in the neighborhood of his father's farm 
and was reared in an agricultural atmosphere.  However, the life of a farmer did not appeal 
to him, and he therefore sought a higher education to fit himself for a professional or 
business career.  After attending Barker's High School in Okaloosa County he enrolled as 
a student at the State University of Florida, at Gainesville.  He was a student at that 
institution for two years, when the United States entered the World War, and July 23, 1917, 
he enlisted in the army and was sent for training and instruction to Camp Greenleaf.  There 
he was assigned to the Medical Corps, in which he served six months, following which he was 
given the rank of first sergeant and transferred to the educational department.  In this 
capacity he was sent to General Hospital No. 38, New York City, as instructor to the returned 
soldiers in the convalescent ward.  He was given his honorable discharge July 23, 1918, and 
returned to his home community, where he at once started teaching school.  In the fall of 
1920 he announced his candidacy for the office of superintendent of the Board of Public 
Instruction of Okaloosa County, to which he was duly elected in the same fall and entered 
upon the duties of his office January 1, 1921, for a four-year term.  His record has been 
an excellent one thus far, and through his efforts numerous improvements have been made 
in the public school system.

Mr. BARROW comes of good teaching stock, as his great-grandfather on his mother's side, 
BARTLETT BLACKMAN, was an educator.  His maternal grandparents were JAMES L. and JEMIMA 
(BLACKMAN) TURNER, and his paternal grandfather was RICHMOND BARROW, a native of Virginia.  
Mr. BARROW married Miss CARLIE JETER of Baker, Florida.  He is a democrat in his political 
allegiance, and his religious faith is that of the Congregational Church.  Fraternally he 
is a Knight Templar Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, and also holds membership in 
the Order of the Eastern Star and the Knights of Pythias, in all of which he is popular.