Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Barrett, John Onderdonk 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com November 10, 2007, 9:44 am

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

JOHN ONDERDONK BARRETT. The people of Joliet claim that they have in their 
city the finest hardware store in the United States. A walk through the 
Barrett block, on the corner of Chicago and Clinton streets, usually causes 
the stranger to accept this assertion as true. The entire space of the block, 
four floors, 66x160, is occupied by the company, who furnish employment to 
fifty hands and have the largest wholesale and retail hardware store in this 
section of the state. The front of the basement is utilized as a salesroom, 
while in the rear is the machinery for cutting and threading pipe from two and 
one-half to eight inches in diameter. The first floor is devoted to the 
display of stock and the retail business, on the second is the manufacturing 
department, while the third is used for the storage of stock. Power, heat and 
light are furnished by electricity. The stock includes every variety of 
tinware, hardware, stoves, agricultural implements, etc., and experienced 
tinners, plumbers and gasfitters are furnished on request, together with the 
article's necessary for their work. The success of the business is largely due 
to the wise judgment and tireless energy of J. O. Barrett, who, December 19, 
1891, incorporated the Barrett Hardware Company, with himself as president, 
and his brother, Edward C., as secretary and treasurer. He was also one of the 
organizers of the Joliet National Bank, in which he has been a director from 
the first. In the city where he now lives, Mr. Barrett was born March 16, 
1851, a son of William F. and Clamana (Onderdonk) Barrett. When sixteen years 
of age he acquired his first insight into the hardware business, and for two 
years afterward he clerked for his father and for Mr. Ford. In 1872 he became 
a partner in business with his father. After their store burned they began in 
business anew, continuing together until his father died in 1876. The firm 
moved into the New Akin block built for them and acquired a constantly 
increasing stock and trade. In time the firm name was changed to Barrett & 
Sons, a younger son, Edward C., being admitted as a partner, and the two sons 
have continued together since that time. Inheriting from their father a talent 
for business affairs, they have added to the business which he established and 
to the reputation which he gained. Their honorable methods, fair dealings and 
sagacity of judgment are universally recognized. Those who come into business 
relations with them find them men of honor and integrity; indeed, it is from 
these qualities and their great energy that their success has come, and the 
prosperity that has rewarded their efforts in the past is a happy omen of what 
the future holds for them. The demands of his business have been such that Mr. 
Barrett has had no leisure for public affairs and, aside from voting the 
Republican ticket, he has taken no part in politics. At different times he has 
bought and improved real estate in Joliet, and is now especially interested in 
the Zarley tract. His marriage, in this city, united him with Miss Mary C. 
Warren, who was born in Shrewsbury, Mass., and at the age of twelve years came 
to Joliet in company with her uncle, Calvin Knowlton, who was president of the 
Will County National Bank.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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