Schley-Wilkes County GaArchives News.....Biographical Sketches--Hon. Fermor Barrett October 29, 1908
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June Coker McNew http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00030.html#0007420 January 23, 2012, 9:44 pm

The Toccoa Record, Toccoa, Stephens County, Georgia October 29, 1908
The Toccoa Record, 29 Oct 1908, p. 1.  

Biographical Sketches


Hon. Fermor Barrett.  It would be impossible to chronicle, even in a full 
page, the records of this tireless young attorney, the present Representative 
of Stephens county, therefore this sketch only briefly outlines the work he 
has done and the things he has achieved.

It may be truthfully said that Mr. Barrett comes of a most remarkable family.  
He was born on a farm in Wilkes county, this state, Feb. 20, 1866, and is the 
eldest of a family of twelve children, the youngest being 22 years of age.  
There has never been a death in the family.  His parents, brothers and sisters 
are all enjoying good health.

Col. Barrett entered the State University in 1883, where he spent two years, 
afterwards service as a teacher for several months in the common schools in 
his county.  In 1886 he received a scholarship and attended Peabody Normal 
College, Nashville, Tenn., graduating with distinction three years later.

Governor John B. Gordon appointed him Assistant State School Commissioner in 
1890.

As an educator Col. Barrett was the teacher of the sciences in Douglasville 
College, Douglas, Ga.  Later he held a similar position on the faculty of 
Millersburg Female College, Millersburg, Ky.   He was at one time 
superintendent of the public school of Eatonton, Ga., next at Montezuma, Ga.

Col. Barrett came to Toccoa in 1897 and for two years was superintendent of 
the graded school here.  At the expiration of this time he gave up school work 
and began the study of law; was admitted to the bar in 1900.

Back in the early 90’s Col. Barrett was actively engaged in newspaper work.  
He was employed at different times by the Macon Telegraph, the Savannah 
Morning News and the Atlanta Constitution.  In this capacity Col. Bennett 
served with the same conspicuous ability which has marked all his undertakings.

It must be said of Col. Barrett that he was one of the foremost workers in the 
movement which created Stephens county.  In this undertaking he threw the full 
weight of his influence, his time, and for a while paid his own expenses.  
When the county was created he was selected by the voters as Representative, 
and was re-elected by the people this year by a handsome majority.

As a member of the Legislature he has served both the state and county well.  
He was one of the influential factors in the passage of a bill increasing the 
public school fund from $1,750,000 to $2,250,000.  He passed a bill this year 
changing the quarterly payment of the Confederate soldiers back to annual 
payment.  In this bill he won out over considerable opposition of the 
administration.  In shaping the convict bill which finally passed at the 
special session of the legislature this year, he took a most active and 
prominent part, again rendering invaluable service to the people of Georgia.

At present he is a member of the City Board of Education and also a member of 
the Board of Education of the Ninth Congressional District Agricultural School.

Col. Barrett is a modest and unpretentious man and has little to say relative 
to his services as an educator and legislator.  His work in this connection 
has won for him hundreds of admirers and it is safe to say the future holds 
greater things in store for him.



[The other biography on this date was of Dr. John M. Terrell.  Photos of both 
men appeared in this article.]


Transcribed by June Coker McNew, January 2011.  


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