Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 416-417; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
William Franklin Barker. The subject of this notice is a
native of Farmers Township, has grown to man's estate on the farm which
he now owns, and has never been away from home an entire week at a
time. He is a son of one of the earliest pioneers of the township, and
grandson of a man who came to Peoria with his family when but three
white families were living there. He is therefore well posted regarding
the history of this section of country, its wonderful development, and
proud of his connection with those who have aided in making it so
flourishing a locality.
John Barker, the grandfather of our subject, ran the first ferry
between Peoria and Wesley City. After working there a year or so, he
took up his abode on Totten's Prairie, whence he and his son John W.
came to this county to select land in the fall of 1825. The first night
out from home they slept in a deserted wigwam. Having found a tract to
please them they broke some land and in the spring planted some corn
which was destroyed by wild hogs which were very numerous. This land
was on section 7, and eighty acres of it was given to the son when he
became of age. He also entered and bought several hundred more at
various times. On one occasion he purchased forty acres at a sale for
$5 when returning home in company with several companions, remarked
that anyone who would give him a dollar for his bargain might have the
land. His brother George took up the offer and after keeping the
property several years sold it for some hundreds of dollars.
This John W. Barker lived to be about seventy years of age,
dying January 8, 1888. He had been married three times and was the
father of ten children, eight of whom now survive. His first wife was
Rachel Harris who bore him two children. His second wife, the mother of
our subject, was Eliza, daughter of George and Eliza S. Brand, who were
among the early settlers of this county whither they came from
Virginia. Of the eight children born to this good woman he of whom we
write was the next to the youngest. His mother was called from time to
eternity in 1877.
Our subject is now in possession of the old homestead, having
bought out the other heirs. His cherished companion was known in her
maidenhood as Lucy A. Boyer, being the daughter of Wilford Boyer of
McDonough County. Their happy union has been blest to them by the birth
of one child--John Wilford.
The Barker family has long been identified with the Democratic
party. Grandfather Barker held the office of County Judge or
Commissioner and our subject was elected Township Collector, when but
twenty-two years old, being the youngest man who has ever held that
office here. An intelligent farmer, a worthy citizen, and a kind
neighbor, Mr. Barker receives his due measure of respect from his
fellow-men.
