Gilliam County OR Archives Biographies.....Barker, Simon B. October 8, 1863 - October 13, 1918
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com April 19, 2008, 3:44 pm

Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

	SIMON B. BARKER.  Few men have occupied a warmer position in the 
hearts of their fellow citizens than did Simon B. Barker, who was long a 
central figure on the stage of activity in Condon. As an agriculturist, a 
merchant and a financier he won the full measure of  success, and his salient 
trait as a business man was his executive ability. He seemed to know just when 
the time was ripe for the inception of a new project, and the spirit of 
enterprise which animated his every action made him a valuable factor in 
Oregon’s development.
	Mr. Barker was born in Athens, Maine, October 8, 1863, a son of 
Charles F. and Hannah (Bradbury) Barker, and was reared on the home farm. His 
education was acquired in the public schools and the academy at Athens. He 
aided his father in the cultivation and improvement of the farm until he 
reached the age of twenty-six, acquiring a thorough knowledge of agricultural 
pursuits, and then started out in life for himself. The west attracted him and 
in 1889 he located in Condon. Having a small capital, he embarked in 
merchandising on a modest scale and gradually enlarged his stock of goods, 
eventually becoming the owner of the largest store in the town. He was 
secretary, treasurer and one of the directors of the Oregon Life Insurance 
Company and was also identified with the Fithian-Barker Shoe Company, a 
wholesale firm. Realizing Condon’s need of a substantial moneyed institution, 
he founded the First National Bank and successfully administered its affairs 
until his death, tempering progressiveness with a safe conservatism. For many 
years he engaged in farming and stock raising and in these fields also 
achieved leadership, becoming one of the largest wheat growers and most 
successful sheep breeders in the state. He owned several ranches and other 
property and was the largest taxpayer in Gilliam county. His unusual foresight 
enabled him to avoid dangerous projects, and his holdings increased in value 
as the years passed. He was a tireless, effective worker and after hours of 
strenuous effort had ample reserve of strength for those critical emergencies 
which make the greatest demands upon the powers of apprehension and judgment.
	Mr. Barker was married July 24, 1895, to Miss Anna Clark, a daughter 
of Barna D. and Laura (Kendall) Clark, who were natives of Vermont and came to 
Oregon in 1890, settling in the eastern part of the state. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Barker were horn five children: Carroll K., who married Miss Rose Anderson, of 
Condon; Verna, who is the wife of Dr. Harry C. Blair, of Portland; Kenneth, 
who has charge of his father’s sheep ranches; Charles F., a freshman of the 
University of Oregon, and Simon B., who is attending Columbia University. The 
oldest son was graduated from the University of California and is successfully 
managing the estate of his father in Condon. During the World war he joined 
the marines and was stationed on Mare island. 
	Mr. Barker was allied with the republican party, and his religious 
views were in harmony with the doctrines of the Presbyterian church, of which 
he was a consistent member. A Scottish Rite Mason, he attained the thirty-
second degree and was one of the Nobles of Al Kader Temple of the Mystic 
Shrine. The elements were happily blended in the rounding out of his nature, 
and his was a many-sided, forceful personality, finely matured and altogether 
admirable. His influence for good deepened as he advanced in years and his 
death on October 13, 1918, was a great loss to his community and state. Mrs. 
Barker now resides on Summit avenue in Portland and enjoys the esteem of a 
wide circle of friends.


Additional Comments:
History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, 
Pages 470-473



Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/gilliam/photos/bios/barker468gbs.jpg

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/gilliam/bios/barker468gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/

File size: 4.4 Kb