WILLIAM BARBRE. The farm owned and superintended by this gentleman is, all things considered, the finest in Curran Township. It consists of five hundred and five acres on sections 14 and 15, whereon every modern convenience for the prosecution of farm work may be seen. The fine barn is 45x60 feet, and is accompanied by ample granaries and sheds. The dwelling is commodious, homelike in appearance, and furnished in a manner in keeping with the means and tastes of the family that gathers there. The land is adorned by fruitful orchards and groves of forest and evergreen trees, and every field shows the beauty of utility and neatness. The estate is two miles from the village of Curran and eight miles from the city of Springfield.
The father of our subject was Eli Barbre, who was born in Kentucky, July 25, 1798, and lost his father when a boy. His mother afterward married a Mr. Combs. The lad was reared in Gibson and Posey Counties, Ind., and when sufficiently advanced in years became a farmer. He was also a minister of the Baptist Church, doing missionary work wherever he had opportunity. In Posey County, about 1819, he married Nancy Wilkinson, a native of Kentucky, and daughter of William Wilkinson, of the Blue Grass State. This union resulted in the birth of four children: Isaac, now living in Cynthiana, Posey County, Ind.; Charlotte, wife of Wright Miller, living in Portland, Ore.; Celia Delilah, formerly wife of Mr. Smith, who died in Menard County, this State; and our subject, who is the second child. The mother died in Edgar County, this State, in 1828.
After his removal to this State Eli Barbre farmed and preached near Paris until 1835, when he came to this county and made his home in Island Grove Township, operating land belonging to Thomas Ray. Later he went to Salisbury and devoted all his energy to ministerial labors, then to Clinton, DeWitt County, and still later to Mechanicsburg. His next place of abode was Loami, and his final residence Waverly, Morgan County, where he died in 1846. While living in Edgar County he married his second wife, Ann Wilson, who bore him four children. These are Mrs. Sarah E. Withrow, whose home is in Vernon County, Mo.; James L., a resident of Curran, this county; John A., whose home is in Taylorville, Christian County; and Mrs. Mary C. Keller, living in Missouri.
Three members of the family served their country during the Civil War. Isaac was a member of an Indiana regiment from 1862 until 1865. He served actively until crippled and obliged to enter the hospital. John entered an Illinois regiment in December, 1863, and fought until the close of the war. William joined the Tenth Illinois Calvary in September, 1861, and was mustered in at Camp butler. He was detailed as wagon master and veterinary surgeon, and took twenty-five teams and wagons belonging to the regiment to Quincy, whence they were shipped to Benton Barracks, Mo. He took part in the battle of Prairie Grove and skirmishes from time to time, until sun struck, when he was sent to the hospital and finally discharged on account of physical disability, in June, 1863.
William Barbre was born in Posey County, Ind., November 10, 1822, and came to this state during his boyhood. He was old enough when his father removed from Edgar to Sangamon County to remember the journey by ox-team and the scenes that met his view en route, asa well as the life in various places while he was growing to manhood.
He recalls the wolf hunts and other sports of those primitive times, and the fact that his father was a famous hunter. He was early set to work and labored hard at home and abroad as he found opportunity, breaking prairie, doing other farm work, and getting his first wages for work in a brickyard, happy to receive $3 per month. While his father was preaching his father took care of the family, beginning his individual labors as a farmer on the Young place. Aunt A. Gibson made a big dinner for him on the occasion of his corn gathering.
Mr. Barbre was married in Curran Township, in January, 1845, to Rebecca Smith, a daughter of John Smith, whose ancestry is given in this sketch of Thomas Smith, on another page of this ALBUM. He then located on the farm belonging to Mr. Smith, remaining there until after the death of his wife and his marriage to his present companion. Lucy M. Smith, a sister of the first Mrs. Barbre. This union was consummated February 6, 1849. Mrs. Barbre was born in Curran township, April 17, 1831, and is well acquainted with the arts by which home is made comfortable and happy.
In 1851 Mr. Barbre located on the tract he now occupies, of which he bought forty acres. This he broke and otherwise prepared for crops, adding to it until when he entered the army he held a title to one hundred and eighty acres. Since his return from the battlefields of the South he has still further increased its extent and become the largest landowner in the township. The home farm is so arranged as to constitute two improved places, and Mr. Barbre also owns one hundred and eight acres of improved land in Cooper Township, and forty five acres of timber in the same township as his home. He gives his principal attention to the cereals, corn and wheat, but also raises graded horses and cattle, and as high as forty head of mules in a season.
The family of Mr. Barbre includes a daughter, Nancy J., now Mrs. McKee, whose home is in Nodaway County, Mo., and who was born to his first wife. The children of the second marriage are: John E., who married Sarah J. Moore, and lives on the home farm; Mary, wife of J. A. Trimble, living in the same township; James W., who resides in Springfield; Thomas F., who died when twenty-five years old; George I., who died at the age of twenty-three years; Richard S., a resident of Springfield; Samuel M., a farmer in Curran township; and Martha C., wife of C. C. Baughman, a farmer in Curran Township.
Mr. Barbre belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Mt. Zion, was a member of the Building Committee, and is now a Trustee. He exercises the right of suffrage, in behalf of the principles an candidates of Prohibition. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Although not a scholar he is a man of ready intelligence, shrewd in business, progressive as an agriculturist, and one who finds ways in which to be of use to the members of the community. His fellow citizens have recognized his ability and good judgment by bestowing upon him the office of School Director, in which position he has acted for years. His sons, who inherit much of his energy and thrift, are doing well in the pursuits they have adapted, those who are farming aiding him in carrying on his large estate.