HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY                      315

Sarah Murphy, and died of cholera in 1849. She bore her husband seven
children, namely: Maria Frances, Cordelia, Mary Ann, Catherine, Will-
iam White, Aaron Conery and Henry. The latter served during the Civil
war in the Forty—third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was killed in bat-
tie at Marks Mills, Arkansas.
    Beginning his education in the pioneer schools of Ohio, William W.
Barber subsequently attended the subscription schools of Clay county,
there being no free schools in Perry township when he came here with his
father. The log schoolhouse which he attended was rudely constructed
and furnished, having slab benches for seats, with neither backs nor desks,
a board placed along one side of the cabin serving for a place upon which
the pupils could write, while light was admitted through a piece of glass
inserted in place of one log. Deer, wild turkeys, and other kinds of game
were then abundant in the forests, and with the productions of the land
formed the food of the people. When out of school William assisted his
father in his pioneer labors, and at the age of twenty years, while working
for wages on the reservoir, had the misfortune to break one of his legs.
While awaiting recovery from the accident Mr. Barber studied medicine,
but on deciding his life work he chose farming and horticulture rather
than a professional career. For two years thereafter he rented land, after
which he purchased land in Lewis township, where he remained five years.
Selling out at the end of that time he bought forty acres of his father’s
farm in Perry township, and two years later sold that at an advantage.
Mr. Barber then purchased the farm which he now owns and occupies,
and has since been here profitably engaged in general farming, stock-rais-
ing and horticulture. He has exercised good judgment and sound sense
in the management of his interests, and has made many and valuable
improvements on his estate. He has erected a substantial set of frame
buildings, and has set out many shade, ornamental and fruit trees, having
more than a thousand apple trees in his orchard, besides which he has
peach, pear, plum, apricot, mulberry and other fruit trees, and a various
collection of small fruits.
    Mr. Barber married, November 19, 1857, Sarah Gilbert, who was
born May 31, 1841, on section eight, Posey township, Indiana, a daughter
of Jedediah Gilbert. Her grandfather, Ebenezer Gilbert, moved from
New York, his native state, to Clermont county, Ohio in the early period
of its settlenient, and from there came, about 1828, to Clay county,
Indiana. He located in Perry township before ever the wild beasts of the
forest had lied from the advancing steps of civilization, but, with the
dusky savage, habited the vast wilderness. Taking up government land
in section nine, he improved a homestead and on it remained until his
death, at a venerable age. The maiden name of his wife was Mehitable
Seeley. Jedediah Gilbert was born May 23, 1805, in Clermont county,
Ohio. where he lived until after his marriage. A man of versatile talents
and possessing much mechanical skill and ability, he never learned any
special trade, but could turn his hand to almost any employment, and
as a bricklayer built many of the first chimneys in this part of Indiana,
where he settled about 1835. Taking up government land in Posey town-
ship, in section eight, he also bought another tract, which had previously
been entered. Building first a log cabin, he moved into it before there was
either a chimney or door, hanging a quilt over the opening to keep out
the wolves, which were inclined to be altogether too free and friendly.
Coming from there to Perry township in 1844. he entered forty acres of