John Franklin Barr

John Franklin Barr was born near Mobile, Alabama, January 27, 1829, and was therefore 78

years of age. He came to Washington County, Arkansas when a boy of five years. A number of

years of his life were devoted to farming on White River. He also lived in Springdale for a

number of years, and had resided in this city nearly eighteen years

Mr. Barr was married to Miss Mary Boyd, at Oxford Bend, this county, July 2, 1851, and arm in

arm they journeyed for 56 years. In 1852 he went to California in an ox team , being

accompanied by his kinsman, W.H. Engles. He remained in the West four years, during which

time he was located at the famous gold fields not far from San Francisco and Sacramento.

Mr. Barr was a man of sterling integrity and well known for his lofty sense of honor. He was a

most devoted husband and father, and was deeply loved by a wide circle of friends. He leaves

six children, twenty-two grandchildren and one great grandchild. His surviving children are:

Mrs. W.M. Davis and Capt. Frank Barr, of this city; Mrs. L.P. Davis of Lowell, Arkansas; Mrs.

J.P. Wolsey and Mrs. R.E. Bagby of Morrison, Oklahoma and J.H. Barr of Lowell, Arkansas.

The funeral will take place from the family residence -237 School Street -at 9 o'clock in the

morning, Rev. P.C. Fletcher, officiating. The interment will be in the cemetery at Oxford Bend,

nine miles in the country, where sleep his mother and two of his children. [Fayetteville

Democrat 111311907]

John F. Barr. Among the worthy tillers of the soil of Washington County,

Ark., who have become extensive land holders and acquired a handsome competency,

maybe mentioned Mr. Barr, who is a native of Lawrence County, Ala.,

and was born on December 27, 1829.

His parents, Isaac and Sarah (Holt) Barr,

were married in Tennessee, and soon after that event moved to Alabama, where

the father died. She was a Georgian by birth, he a Virginian, but reared in

Tennessee, and throughout life was a farmer. He died in Alabama, and his widow

and seven children moved to Washington County, Ark., where she met and

married John C. Neill, and died about 184.5.

John F. Barr attended the common

schools of Arkansas. At the age of seventeen he crossed the plains "to New

Mexico, and returned the following year. At the age of twenty years he was married

to Miss Mary A. Boyd, a native of Washington County, Ark., and by her

became the father of seven children: Ardilla, Mell and Belle (twins), Dora and

Ida, five girls, four of whom are married; two boys, Humphrey and ·Frankie.

Humphrey graduated from the Commercial College of Lexington, Ky., in 1883,

also from the literary department of the Rogers Academy, with class honors,

June 1, 1887.

John F. Barr has farmed in Washington County, Ark., ever since

marriage, with the exception of four years, from 1852 to 1856, which he spent in

Oregon and California, having crossed the plains in a "prairie schooner" drawn

by four yoke of oxen, making the trip to Oregon City in seven months and two

days. After remaining in the West four years he returned home by sea, crossing

the Isthmus of Panama, via New Orleans. He has ever since assiduously followed

his avocation of farming until, recently, he has sold his farms of 450

acres, and has moved to Springdale, where he has some valuable property, to

pass the remainder of his days. He is a strong supporter of Democratic principles.

=================

1850 Census of Northwest Arkansas:

Washington Counties - Bobbie Jones McLane and Desmond Walls Allen

Prairie Township

BARR. John F. 20. Mary [Boyd, m 2 Jul 1a50,

Washington Co. - ARMARRJ 20 AL/AR dwg

11 6. Prairie twp