Biographical Sketch of John C. Barrett, Franklin County, Missouri >From "History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford and Gasconade Counties", Biographical Appendix, Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888. ********************************************************************** John C. Barrett, an old and prominent citizen of Franklin County, was born in Eastern Virginia, October 23, 1814, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Brisco) Barrett, who were native Virginians, and who passed their last days in that State. The father was an overseer, and died when our subject was a child. The mother then married James Jones. At the early age of ten John C. was cast upon the world to shift for him- self. He went to live with a cousin, and there remained until twenty years of age, getting nothing for his work. He then left for the Rapp- ahannock River country and was engaged as an overseer for the small salary of $135 per year. This was the first money received by him for work. He then went to Jefferson County, now West Virginia, near Char- leston, and again obtained work as overseer, where he remained for six years, being in the employ of a nephew of Gen. George Washington, Bushrod Washington. While in Jefferson County, Va., he married Miss Ann Lay, a native of that county, who came to Missouri in 1841. She was born in August, 1824, and died in Franklin County, Mo., in 1852. To this marriage were born eight children, only three now living, viz: William H., James P. and D. Jane. In 1853 Mr. Barrett took for his second wife Miss Margaret (Groff) Giersa, a daughter of Andrew Groff, and the widow of George L. Giersa. She was born in Franklin County, Mo., September 16, 1821, and died in the same county October 19, 1887. To them were born nine children, four now living: John C., Harriet, Nora and Groff. Although starting in life with very little of this world's goods Mr. Barrett has accumulated considerable property, and can live in comfort the balance of his days. In 1850, in company with George L. Giersa and others, he crossed the plains to California, driving four teams of oxen. While on the way he took the cholera, and by using his own medicine cured himself, but owing to ill health re- turned shortly, satisfied that health was better than wealth. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Joe Miller Penny Harrell ====================================================================