Rev George W. Baber: Fifty-one years in the Maine Methodist Conference: Life Story of Rev. Barker (sic) Written for the Lewiston Journal, 22 Mar 1911 from the files of the late Robert Taylor of Limington & Danville, Maine George Washington Barber of Bridgton (Maine) has an enviable record of 51 years in Christian labor. Mr. Barber, born in Epping, NH on 30 Oct. 1834, was the 10th child of Daniel and Hannah (Gilman) Barber, both natives of Epping. Both his parents and maternal grandfathers were deacons of the Epping Congregational church. His father lived to be 84 years old and was buried from the same house in which he was born, having passed his life there. Daniel and Hannah Barber were parents of 11 children, 10 of whom grew to maturity. All these received an academic education and all but two (t)aught school. All united with some evangelical church and three sons became ministers, two being members of the Maine Methodist Conference. Only two now survive, the subject of this sketch and his brother, 78 years of age, who is in feeble health, in Reading, Mass. George W. Barber received his education at the Lawrence, Mass high school, then at Phillips Exeter Academy and in 1857 enters the Boston University school of Theology then located in Concord, NH. From the last named institution he was graduated in June 1800 (sic) [Should read "1860"] While at Exeter (NH) in April 1856, Mr. Barber with several other students formed a student's prayer-meeting and soon after they organized a society called The Christian Fraternity which is continued to the present day and is a great power for good. On June 17, 1906, the semi-centennial of the society was held. Mr. Barber was the guest of the school on this occasion and delivered an address which was published in full and sent to the alumni by the school officials. In April 1860, Mr. Barber united with the Maine Methodist Conference having been a member of the Methodist church since 1853, with which church he united at the age of 19. The Conference held its semi-centennial at Portland in Apr 1910, when Mr. Barber delivered the anniversary sermon, having completed his 56th year of service as a member of that body. The greater portion of his sermon was published in the paper which is the society's organ. Rev. George W. Barber, part 2 In 1906, Mr. Barber was again called to deliver an address at a great celebration. This time his native town. Epping, NH invited him to be its guest. During his connection with the Conference, Mr. Barber has been stationed at the following places: [1860-1] Kennebunkport Center; [1862-3] Scotland (York); [1864-5] Cape Elizabeth Depot; [1866-7] Alfred; [1868] Conway,NH; [1869-70] Kezar Falls; [1871-2] Newfield; [1873] Durham; [1874-6] North Yarmouth; [1877 Cape Elizabeth] South Portland; [1878] Oxford; [1879-80] Gray; [1881-2] Solon; [1883] New Sharon; [1884-6+] Baldwin; Standish; Phillips; Industry; Naples; Fryeburg; Waterford; Bolster's Mills. His Labors were very successful and at North Yarmouth the Church membership was doubled. In several places he secured the erection of the houses of worship. Following these labors he worked for the Bible Society three years. In 1859, Mr. Barber married a daughter of Rev, William Rogers of New Hampshire. For 27 years she was a devoted and able helpmate. When death claimed her she left two children, William H. who graduated from Bates College (in Lewiston, Maine) and entered the Methodist E. Conference in 1887, and Nellie M. Barber who was graduated from Kent's Hill Female College in 1888, going immediately to North Carolina where she held a professorship in Bennett College. AT the close of one year's successful labor she suddenly sickened and died. Mr. Barber formed a second alliance with Olive P. Bertwell of Hiram. The wedding ceremony was performed by Rev. Charles S. Cumings of the Methodist E. Conference at Bridgton (Maine). This worthy couple now live in their own pleasant home on Portland Street, Bridgton (Maine). Retired from active Conference work, Mr. Barber keeps busy. During the past two years he has supplied many pulpits including those of five different denominations thus winning for himself at recent mass temperance meeting the appellation, jokingly given of "Pastor Emeritus of all the churches!" A member of the Masonic order and the Grange Mr. Barber is acting Chaplain in both these organizations. He highly prizes the Lewiston Journal which, for 37 years has been a weekly visitor at his home. Last Memorial Day he preached at North Bridgton (Maine) and also Sebago (Maine) driving 30 miles and as he tells it "Was ready for the washing machine Monday morning!" Indeed this veteran in ministerial work is not averse to manual labor. The past year he has prepared his fire wood, cared for his horse and a flock of hens, made and tended a fine garden, cut hay enough for horse besides having considerable care of the house as his wife is in poor health. Physically, Mr. Barber is wonderfully preserved being straight as an arrow. He goes down the church aisle with a step as elastic as a man of 39. His health is good and he is an example of the virtues of piety and total abstinence. The accompanying picture is an accurate likeness of this Christian worker who is revered by all. See to view the picture. A few Additions on the Life of George W. Barber, copied from page 518 "Methodism in Maine 1793-1886 by Allen & Pilsbury, 1887: George W. Barber attended the Philips Exeter Academy in 1854 & 1855 and graduated at the Concord Biblical Institute in 1860. He married on 23 Dec 1859, Miss Mary M. Rogers of Sandwich, NH. Their children are William H. & Nellie M. Mrs. Barber, a woman of rare excellence, after patiently enduring a distressing illness, passed to the rest of heaven, in the winter of 1887. Enjoy, David C. Young, FM of the NH USGW Archives ___________________************************************************* * * * * NOTICE: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. 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