Penobscot County ME Archives Biographies.....The Barkers Of Exeter And Bangor, Maine, The Barkers Of Exeter And Bangor, Maine unknown - unknown
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Tina Vickery tsvickery@adelphia.net May 7, 2005, 7:12 pm

Author: Sprague's Journal of Maine History

The Barkers of Exeter and Bangor, Maine

Sprague's Journal of Maine History No.  II Vol.  VII
AUG. SEPT. OCT 1919 pages 107-108

The Barkers of Exeter and Bangor, were one of the
notable families of Maine, of the same generation as
were the Hamlins, the Washburns, and later the Powers.
The two most famous Barkers were known as "Dave" and
"Lew".  Noah, a noted land surveyor was a good second
to either.  They were intellectual people and each one
a unique type.

Lewis was a bright lawyer, a Republican politician who
was in his prime when the party was born, and for many
years had a national reputation as a brilliant and
picturesque stump speaker.

David was also a lawyer, but won his real fame as a
writer of verse -- a poet loved by the common people,
for his simple and fervent rhyme touched their hearts
and won their praise.

In 1872, David Barker was a member of the Maine House
of Representatives.  In the "Biographical Sketches of
the Members Elect" for that year, appears the
following:

Barker, David, Exeter.  Republican, religious
sentiments:  "My hope is for a better life somewhere,
with less friction than here;" lawyer; age 55.  Born
in Exeter, Sept. 9, 1816, where he has ever since
lived.  We give the remainder of his biography in his
own words:  "You allude to my poems.  I have no
ambition to be remembered in that direction, unless
for a few I have written, among which are, first, 'The
Covered Bridge' through which you and I and all other
mortals must pass.  Second, 'The Empty Sleeve,' which
was wrung from my heart when our country was wading
knee-deep in blood."

Noah Barker of Corinth was a member of the Maine
Senate of the years (then annual sessions) 1879 and
1880.  In the Biographical Sketches (supra) his record
is as follows:

Barker, Noah, Corinth, (Penobscot County).
Independent; no isms in religion, "do right and risk
the consequences;" land surveyor and farmer, or "own
my farm and farming tools;" married; age 72.  Born in
Exeter, then a plantation called Blaisdell town.
Educated in the common schools and at Hampden and
Foxcroft Academies, but mainly at the family fireside.
For many years a member of the superintending school
committee; town clerk; selectman; county commissioner,
and State Land Agent.  Member Maine House of
Representatives in 1838, 1840, and 1856, and of Senate
in 1879.  Was a Democrat till the party leaders were
for extending slavery into our free territories; then
a Republican. 

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