Lowndes-Jones-Brooks County GaArchives Biographies.....Barfield, Robert E. 1878 - living in 1913
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 27, 2004, 1:05 am

Author: William Harden
p. 953-954

   ROBERT E. BARFIELD. The present mayor of the town of Hahira has for a number
of years been one of the progressive farmers of this vicinity and represents a
pioneer family in Lowndes county. Mr. Barfield was born on the farm where he now
resides on the 6th of March, 1878, his residence being within the corporate limits.

   His grandfather was Frederick Jones Barfield, who was probably born in Jones
county, this state, and in 1858 moved to Lowndes county, which was then much
larger than at present, with the county seat at Troupville. No railroads had yet
penetrated to this section, and he was one of the pioneers in development of the
country. He bought a tract of timber land four miles south of the present site
of Hahira, and with his slaves was engaged in general farming up to the time of
his death, which occurred when he was fifty-five years old. The maiden name of
his wife was Bethany Brewer, who was born either in Jones or an adjoining
county, and she survived her husband several years.

   The father of Robert E. Barfield was named Gen. Lafayette Barfield, and he
was born in Jones county in 1857, but lived in Lowndes county from the time he
was one year of age. On beginning life for himself he purchased a tract of land,
part of which is now included in the town of Hahira. About thirty-five acres of
it was cleared, and the log cabin in which Robert E. was born constituted the
principal improvement on the place at the time. On the death of the grandfather
he left this place and took charge of the old home estate in the interest of the
other heirs, and later bought the other interests and became sole owner. There
he lived until his death in 1896 at the age of thirty-nine. He married Feddie
Wilson, a native of Lowndes county and daughter of Solomon and Sarah Wilson,
pioneers of this county. She is now a resident of Arizona. She reared nine
children, named as follows: Navie E., Robert E., Sally. Frederick, Maggie
Gordon, General L., Jr., Maude. Pearl and Hester Eugene.

   Robert E. Barfield, the oldest son of this family, was reared on the old
homestead south of Hahira and attended school in Mineola. Being eighteen when
his father died, the care of the estate devolved upon him. his father's will
making him executor, and on coming of age he took full charge. The farm was his
home until his marriage, and he then moved to Valdosta and served twenty-one
months as deputy sheriff. After this official service he lived on the farm again
for a year, and then managed the farm two years from his home in Valdosta. He
was engaged in sawmilling for two years, at the end of which time he located in
Hahira and the following year built his-present residence in town, located on
the same farm on which he was born. He has been chiefly occupied in general
farming. As a resident of town he takes an active part in its affairs, and is
now serving his second term in the office of mayor.

   Mr. Barfield was married in 1898 to Miss Eula Belle Newton, who was born in
Brooks county, a daughter of James and Sarah J. Newton. Mr. and Mrs. Barfield
have one son, Robert E.. Jr. Mrs. Barfield is a member of the Baptist church,
which her husband also attends. Fraternally he affiliates with Valdosta Lodge
No. 346, A. F. & A. M., and with Adele Chapter, R. A. M. In politics he is a
Democrat.


Additional Comments:
From:

A HISTORY OF SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
BY
WILLIAM HARDEN

VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
CHICAGO AND NEW YORK
1913

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/lowndes/bios/gbs439barfield.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/

File size: 4.1 Kb