Biography of Charles W. Barker of Minooka, Illinois

Charles W. Barker, hardware and implements, Minooka, senior member of the firm of Barker & Stauffer, hardware merchants and dealers in agricultural implements, the leading interest of the kind in the town. He was born in Lisbon, Kendall Co., Ill., in March, 1851, eldest son of William M. Barker, who was born in Oneida County, N. Y., May, 1825, who was a son of Samuel and Susana (Rogers) Barker, he a native of Vermont, she of Massachusetts, and of Scotch descent. Samuel Barker, the grandsire of our subject, was one of the first settlers in Kendall County; his son William came with him when a young man, and succeeded his father on the homestead; afterward purchased a farm in the same county, where he made his permanent location, and remained on the same until his death, September, 1858. Two sons were born him – Charles William, who bears his name, and George H., who resides in Iowa. His widow is now the wife of Joseph Buckley, of this township. Charles W. came to this township in 1865; remained here three years, and, returning to Kendall County, lived there until the spring of 1876. In the fall of 1877, he associated in business with Adam Stauffer, under the firm name of Barker & Stauffer, which copartnership still exists. They keep a general hardware stock and handle farm implements, making a specialty of Weir and John Deere plows, Union and Deere planters, McCormick’s harvesting machines, Webber wagons and Abbott’s carriages. In 1872, he was married to Priscilla Coop, daughter of Samuel Coop, of this township; no children. He is a member of Minooka Lodge, No. 528, A., F. & A. M., Orient Chapter, R. A. M., and Blaney Commandery (Knights Templar).