GEORGE W. BARGER. A cursory glance at the biographical sketch of our subject will
show that he is one who, buffeted by the adverse winds of circumstances and being, has overcome
them all, guiding his life barge safely through the deep waves and sandy shallows, and anchoring
it safely in a placid harbor. For what is life beside this? Do not heroes of battle, of invention,
literature, the sciences and arts, all work in order that they may enjoy peacefully? So has our subject,
and though comparatively a young man he has already attained a position in the township in
which he lives that promises not only security and comfort, for the present, but advancement for the
future.
He of whom we write is the Superintendent in charge of the Moultrie County Poor Farm, an humble
position, it is true, but one in which there are opportunities for showing the natural kindness and
tenderness and sympathy that the Master has commanded in caring for his "little ones". He is now
serving his fourth year in this position, and has filled it to the entire satisfaction of the community
at large. The property is located on section 4, of Sullivan Township, and comprises one hundred
sixty acres of land. The county also owns forty acres of timber land. Upon the farm is a good, two-story,
brick structure, which serves as a home for some twelve to twenty inmates, men, women and
children who perhaps were born to better things; who have made their fight by which some one else
will be benefited, and now, incapacitated for caring for themselves, the county takes care of its
children, granting them a resting place and plenty of substantial nourishment.
The original of our sketch was born in Perry County, December 8, 1850, and is a son of George and
Lydia (Davison) Barger. Our subject was but a boy when his parents died, leaving as the issue of
that marriage, two children, himself and Lydia M. now Mrs. Huff, of Evansville, Ind. Both parents
had been previously married, the father having had ten children by his former marriage, and the
mother, three children, the latter bearing the name of Salmon. He of whom we write was reared in
the family of a half brother. Charles Barger, in Perry County, Ill. [sic: should be ‘Ind.’], and was early
taught the duties of a farmer.
On October 10, 1870, Mr. Barger was united in marriage to Elizabeth J. Marshall, a daughter of
William and Mary Marshall, who was born in Perry County, Ind. April 25, 1853. She was only an infant
when left motherless, being the youngest of a family of twelve children. She lived at home
until her marriage.
In 1872, the original of our sketch came to this State passing one winter in Shelby County, thence
went to Cowley County, Kan., where he purchased eighty acres of land near Arkansas City,
remaining there two years, during which time he experienced all the hardships caused by the grasshopper
plague. In 1873, all the crops were destroyed in the space of a few hours, by the scourge
which Moses brought into Egypt, and which has found its repetition so many times in Western
American agricultural history. Mr. Barger returned to Shelby County in 1874 and renting land in
Penn Township, for five years engaged in farming. In 1879 became to Moultrie County and has since
resided near Sullivan. In 1887, he was appointed Superintendent of the Poor Farm and took possession
of the place in March, 1888. Under his able management, the Poor Farm is about self supporting.
Our subject and his wife are the parents of five children, who are Bertie, Chester K, James A,
Artemas Victor and Lela. Politically he of whom we write is an adherent of the Republican party
by his vote and influence doing all he can to propagate and strengthen Republican doctrines. In his
religious predeliction he is a Baptist, while socially he belongs to the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows. He is the owner of eighty acres of land, located in this county.
Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 702/703
Transcription copyright 2003/2007, Moultrie County ILGenWeb/USGenWeb
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