Springfield-Greene
County LibraryB. A. BARRETT, M. D. It is gratifying to trace the history of those of the early settlers of Greene County, Mo., who have persevered through trials and hardships and have at last reached the point where they can enjoy the wealth and prosperity which rightfully belongs to them. In the life of the gentleman whose name we now give we find such a history, and the popularity which belongs to such a man is the just mood which all are glad to pay to his worth and work. For nearly forty years he has resided in Springfield, and during all that time his career has been above reproach. Mr. Barrett is a product of this State, born in St. Genevieve County, January 8, 1826, and was one of a family of ten children born to John S. and Margaret (Patterson) Barrett. In tracing the genealogy of the Barrett family in America we find that the great-grandfather of our subject was the first to settle on the soil of this county. He came from Emerald Isle and settled in the Old Dominion, where he reared a large family of children. The grandfather of our subject was born in Virginia and fought bravely for independence in the Revolutionary War. He was killed at the battle of Cowpens. The father of our subject, John S. Barrett, was born in Culpeper County, Va., the latter part of the eighteenth century and was one of a large family of children born to his parents. Some of these children emigrated to Tennessee, others to Kentucky, and some to Missouri. The father of our subject was but a boy when he emigrated with his parents to Tennessee, and he there grew to manhood and married. In 1811 he moved to Missouri, settled in St. Genevieve County and there reared his family. He served in the Black Hawk War, and he, with two others swam the Mississippi River at St. Mary's Landing to rescue the people in Illinois from the ravages of the Indians. He took a prominent part in that war and probably was an officer. A man of superior education, he took an active part in the government affairs of Missouri, and served in the first Legislature ever held in the State. At one time he was State marshal; he was also sheriff of his county and was serving in the Legislature when Missouri was admitted as a State. Later he represented his county a number of times in that body. In the early part of his career he carried on a large farm, but during the closing scenes of his life he practiced medicine. He was intimately acquainted with Gen. Jackson, with whom he served while in the army, and was a man of great physical endurance, retaining his strength of mind and body up to the last day of his life. He died in 1868, when about seventy years of age, but was capable of carrying on his business. For many years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and held the office of steward. A man of great public spirit, he was ever interested in the upbuilding of his county, and was well known throughout its length and breadth. In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party. His wife was born in Maury County, Tenn., and was a daughter of James and Margaret (Carr) Patterson. The Patterson family came originally from Scotland, and at first settled in North Carolina, and later in Tennessee, where they were among the pioneers. Grandfather Patterson served in the Revolutionary War and lost an eye in fighting for independence. He was a minister and teacher and died about 1840 in St. Genevieve, Mo., whither he had moved at an early day. He was very prominent in church work and assisted in establishing many of the churches in this State. Mrs. Barrett died in Springfield in 1864. She was the mother of ten children, as follows: James, died in Webster County, Mo., where he was engaged in farming; Nancy, died in 1844 (she was the wife of John W. York); Joseph, died when about twenty-four years of age; Mary A., died in Springfield about 1854 (she was the wife of Dr. MoLure) ; John C., was a physician and died in Buffalo, N. Y; B. A. (subject); George, who died in 1865, was a physician and practiced his profession at Springfield for fifteen years (he left a wife and four children, all of whom are living in Springfield; as a practitioner of the healing art he was a decided success and accumulated considerable means); Jane, died when eighteen or twenty years of age; Mildred, residing now in Springfield, is the widow of Dr. Van Hoose, who was a very prominent physician of this State (she became the mother of three children. James B., Ella and Lula); the last two are teachers in the public schools of Springfield, and are considered first-class educators. The mother of these children was a lifelong member of the ,Methodist Episcopal Church, and was an earnest Christian lady. Dr. B. A. Barrett spent his early life in his native county, studied under a private tutor and later attended school at Fredericksburg and St. Louis, thus receiving a thorough education. His medical education was received in St. Louis, and in the year 1853 he started out to practice in Buffalo, Mo., continuing there until 1858. In 1858 he came to Springfield, but in 1863 went to St. Louis, where he practiced his profession until 1870. Returning to Springfield, he has continued to practice in that city up to the present time, and stands at the head in his profession. He is about the oldest practicing physician in the city. The Doctor is a member of the State Medical Association, the Mississippi Valley Medical Association, and the Springfield Medical Society. Ever since his twenty-first year Dr. Barrett has been a Mason, is a member of Salome Lodge, No. 271, Springfield, and has held all the offices in the lodge He and Mrs. Barrett are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are deeply interested in religious matters. The Doctor was first married in 1848 to Miss Susan Randleman, a native of Illinois, St. Mary County, and the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Holcomb) Randleman. Mr. Randleman was an early pioneer of Illinois and was a prominent man of the county. By this union the Doctor became the father of five children-three sons and two daughters-as follows: Mary, who died in 1876, when about thirty years of age, was the wife of Harley Moore and the mother of five children: Ada, Zack, Elizabeth, Lula and Ida. All are living and married except Ida, who resides with her father and attends college. The next of the Doctor's children, Edward, is a resident of Johnson County, Wyo., and is a first-class dentist. He has a large ranch and is a wealthy man. His wife, who was Miss Lula Mallison, bore him three children-two sons and a daughter: Al., Charles and Mabel. The next of the Doctor's children, Freddie, married Miss Anna Radford and is now engaged in the boot and shoe business in St. Louis. Ada married George Mygott, and Robert L. resides in Fort Scott, Kas. He is a railroad man and married Miss Lula Burns. They have four children: Leah, Robert, Mary and George. The death of the Doctor's; first wife occurred in 1863, in St. Louis. Nearly all her life she had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a lady whose excellent qualities of mind and heart endeared her to all. The Doctor's second marriage was with Miss Mary Priest, of Spring Hill, Tenn, and the daughter of Thomas H. and Nancy (Merritt) Priest, who were early settlers of Tennessee, where they passed their last days. Mrs. Barrett was born in Maury County, Tenn., and is still living. She is a lady of culture and refinement, and is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Dr. Barrett has ever taken an active part in politics, and is an earnest supporter of the principles of his party.
[78-80]
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | V | W | Y
Pictorial and Genealogical Home | Keyword Search
Greene County History Home | Local History Home