For more than fifteen years Uriah Barr has cultivated his farm of one hundred acres on section 23, Greenfield township, and has found no reason to regret that he has devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits or that he chose Greenfield township as the scene of his labors. He was born in Fairfield, Ohio, where his parents spent their entire life. They were Jacob and Sarah (Spohn) Barr, both now deceased, in whose family were five children: Uriah, Lizzie, Jacob, David and George. Lizzie and George have passed away; David is living in Colorado; while Jacob remained in Ohio, the state of his birth.

Uriah Barr was born September 12, 1846, and remained in his native state until twenty-six years of age, when he sought the prairies of Iowa and the opportunities they afforded. For eight terms he devoted himself to teaching, to instructing boys and girls, some of whom almost men and women, who could be spared from their home. He had already had some experience in teaching in the schools of his native state, for when his own education was completed he was determined to improve upon his early training. It was not until 1893, that he bought the farm he now owns in Greenfield township. He paid fifty dollars an acre for it at the time but it has almost doubled in value because of the natural advance in land and the many improvements he has placed upon it.

In 1866 Mr. Barr married Miss Mary E. Coplin, who died June 25, 1868, leaving one daughter, Lizzie. The latter became the wife of Fred Pieper and they had a son, Uriah, born April 17, 1891. Three days after his birth Mrs. Pieper died and the baby was taken by his grandparents, with whom he has always made his home. On the 11th of October 1870, Mr. Barr was again married, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth A. Lamb. Her mother died in Ohio, in 1881 and her father came with his youngest daughter to Iowa and made his home with Mrs. Barr till his death. Mrs. Barr is one of a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters: Mary and Clara, both deceased; Ella, who makes her home with Mrs. Barr; Hiram, who lives in Ohio; Jonas, of Grundy Center, Iowa; Henry, deceased; and J. M., of Dickinson county, Iowa. Anna, the only child of Mr. Barr's second union, was born July 20, 1874. On the 14th of December 1893, she married Ed Henderson, of Cedar county, Iowa, and is now the mother of four children: Harry, Harlan, Vera and Verna.

Mr. Barr is a stanch adherent of the democratic party and has always displayed a sincere interest in public affairs. This has been appreciated by his fellow citizens, who during a period of thirteen years chose him as their assessor. He has also served on the school board since he took up his residence in Iowa, and his influence has ever been given to advancing the interests of education. Reared in the Methodist faith, he and his family are devout members of the local church of that denomination and have ordered their lives in accordance with its doctrines.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 559.

Note: Charlotte Dittmar saw the bio here and writes: "I have very little information on Uriah Barr. Only a birth record and a note written in a family bible that Uriah Barr died May 1, 1921. His sister, Elizabeth (Lizzie) was my great grandmother who married William Crist and died November 10, 1905. His brother Jacob married Mabel Friend and died January 17, 1929. These two remained in Fairfield co., Ohio. I have no record on his brother, George."

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 621, and submitted by Rich Farin
Note: Albert

From The History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Co., Chicago, 1879, p. 621, and submitted by Rich Farin

H. L. Batcheller, one of the older representatives of farming in Oxford township, was born in New Hampshire, October 3, 1837, a son of James and Amanda M. (Brown) Batcheller, who were likewise natives of that state, and there the father passed away. Subsequently the mother, in 1849, came west with her family, which consisted of five children, of whom three survive. She, too, has departed this life, her death occurring in Cedar county, this state, where she located upon her arrival in the west.

H. L. Batcheller was a lad of twelve years when he was brought to Iowa, and his education, which was begun in the common schools of the east, was continued in the schools of Iowa. He remained with his mother, giving her every aid and assistance possible, until he attained his majority, when he started out to make his own way in the world. He first broke prairie with ox teams, this claiming his attention for some time. He established a home of his own in 1858 by his marriage to Miss Mary Jane Patrick. He was married a second time, in 1862, to Miss Louise Rogers, who was born in Delaware county, Ohio, a daughter of Chauncey and Nancy (Pike) Rogers. They took up their abode in Clinton county, Iowa, in 1851, but later removed to Jones county, where they both passed away.

Following his second marriage Mr. Batcheller engaged in teaming, which he followed for thirteen years and he now operates one hundred acres of land, which he owns, this being located in Oxford township. He has his place improved with good buildings, while the soil has been made to yield good crops through the attention he gives to it each year.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Batcheller have been born six children, but four are deceased. One daughter and one son survive: Charlotte A., the wife of George Coker, a resident of Jones county; and Frank, who also makes his home in this county. Mr. Batcheller gives his political support to the men and measures of the democracy but has never sought nor desired office, preferring to live a quiet life. He is a Mason, belonging to Lodge No. 435, at Oxford Junction, while his wife is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist church. From an early age heavy responsibilities have rested upon him, since he was deprived of a father's care when only about twelve years of age. He has, however, brooked no obstacles that could be overcome by determination and energy and his excellent farm is the evidence of his well spent life.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 272.

From The History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Co., Chicago, 1879, p. 550, and submitted by Mary Kay Kuhfittig.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 643.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 621.