OBIT: William Sailes BARBER, 1946, Somerset, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/
________________________________________________

WILLIAM SAILES BARBER

'Thirty' Appended To Life Work of William S. Barber
Sudden Passing of Rockwood's Popular Editor and Publisher

  In newspaper pariance the figures "30" or the word "thirty" at the end of a 
manuscript or copy for an article to be published means the end, finis, or it is 
finished.  Therefore, when a newspaperman passes away it is appropriate to say 
"thirty" has been appended to his life's work or career.
  It is with deep regret that The Republican staff learned that "thirty" came 
suddenly to an able and highly esteemed neighboring newspaperman, William Sailes 
Barber, editor and publisher of the Somerset County Leader, at the end of his 
day's work in his editorial sanctum and printing plant in Rockwood, at 4:20 
p.m., Monday, June 17, as a result of a heart attack.
  Mr. Barber was seriously ill due to heart trouble in 1944, and was 
hospitalized and under medical care for quite a while before he was able to 
resume his work and business cares.  It developed, however, that his heart 
ailment was organic and a recurrence of it terminated his career at the untimely 
age of 53.
  Since recovery from his severe illness in 1944, he was obligated to slow up 
his activities somewhat, but latterly he appeared to be getting along all right.
  He was an expert printer, as well as a good editor, and devoted more of his 
time to commercial printing than to his newspaper, a neatly printed 6-column 
eight-page sheet, of which he printed only four pages in his own shop.  The 
inside four pages were ready print furnished by the Western Newspaper Union of 
Pittsburgh.
  After concluding his usual day's work in his printery shortly after 4 p.m. 
Monday, he was looking over the plans and specifications and making some 
measurements for a new front to his printing office, that he was contemplating, 
when he succumbed to a sudden heart attack.
  Born April 28, 1893, in Plain View Twp., near Grove City, William S. Barber 
was the son of Robert M. and Florence (Sailes) Barber.
  During his early youth while living in Grove City he served an apprenticeship 
under an uncle who operated a newspaper there.  
  In 1912 he moved to Johnstown where he established his reputation as a printer 
when he was a partner in the printing firm of Weigle and Barber.  The 
partnership was dissolved by the death of Mr. Weigle in 1928.
  In 1930 he located in Somerset, serving in the capacity of manager of the 
Somerset County Times until he purchased the Rockwood Somerset County Leader in 
1932.
  Mr. Barber was twice married.  His first wife, the former Eva James, was 
fatally injured in an auto accident in Ohio in August, 1924.  In 1926 he married 
Vera M. Smith of Johnstown.  She survives along with his mother, who resides in 
Slippery Rock, and one sister, Mary E. Barber, head of the Latin department of 
the Oakmont schools, Pittsburgh.
  He was a trustee of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Somerset, and was 
beginning his second six-year term as secretary of the Rockwood Board of 
Education.
  For many years Mr. Barber took an active interest in Boy Scout activities and 
was in recent years chairman of the finance drive in the Roof Garden District 
for the Admiral Robert E. Peary Boy Scout Council.
  He was a charter member of the Johnstown Lions Club and past president of the 
Somerset Lions Club.  In politics he was an ardent Republican and took an active 
interest with his newspaper in upholding the principles and policies of the 
Republican party.
  Funeral services were conducted at 2:30 this (Thursday) afternoon in St. 
Paul's Presbyterian Church, Somerset, by Rev. John Milholland, after which the 
body was taken to Johnstown for interment in Grandview Cemetery of that city.  
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Walter Hoffman, Somerset 
mortician.

Meyersdale Republican, June 20, 1946