Oscar W. Barrett

Notes:

http://libsysdigi.library.uiuc.edu/oca/Books2007-06/unitedstatesbiog00amer/unitedstatesbiog00amer_djvu.txt
OSCAR W. BARRETT. CHICAGO. OSCAR W. BARRETT is the son of Edward E. Barrett and Emmeline (Wilcox) Barrett, and was born at Bristol, Ontario county, New York, June 13, 1836. His ancestors were English, and among the earliest settlers in New England. His father was a machinist, and a very ingen- ious mechanic. The old American Knitting Machine, which was the first invented in this country, which completed a stocking, was principally the product of his hand and brain. Many other useful and ingenious devices originated with him, among them the hand stamp, and he seems to have been almost a universal genius. When a child Mr. Barrett's parents moved into Rochester, and he attended the village school till fourteen years of age. At that age the choice was offered him of a course in college and a professional career, or a practical education and a business life. The bent of his genius directed his course toward a life of activity, and he chose the practical education. At fourteen he went to Glens Falls Academy, where he remained, with a short interruption, three years. He then entered the service as confidential clerk and bookkeeper of William B. Lawton, importer and whole- sale dealer in English watches, in New York. He remained in New York for four years, when he determined to accept the famous advice of Horace Greeley to young men, and came west. He reached Chicago August 9, 1856, and by three o'clock P.M., of the same day, had obtained a situation as clerk with John S. Wallace, dealer in hard-wood lumber. He received the munificent salary of thirty dollars a month, and boarded himself. However, November i, he entered the employ of the late Hon. Samuel Hoard, wholesale jeweler, who died November 25, 1 88 1. He took the position of confidential clerk, bookkeeper and cashier at a handsome salary, and remained with him two years. During the panic of 1857 Mr. Hoard, with abundant assets, yet had paper coming due he knew not how to meet, and contemplated suspending. Mr. Barrett skillfully piloted the commercial craft through the storm, and landed her safely in the harbor out of danger. This feat brought him a good deal of credit with the house, and he received an offer from Mr. Hoard of abundant financial backing, if he would go into business. He decided to do so in company with a gentleman then in business in Hastings, Minnesota. The latter was, however, soon after wrecked in fortune by the sinking of a Mississippi steamer, having a large consignment of goods belonging to him. The loss was total, and broke up the contemplated partnership. Soon after, Mr. Barrett accepted the position of commercial traveler and collector for a large mercantile house, and went on the road. For three years he traveled in the northwestern states, about ten thousand miles per year, mostly with horse and buggy. It was an excellent school, and he finished 'his business education on the great prairies of the Northwest. On giving up the road in April, 1863, he entered into the employ of B. W. Philips and Company, Insurance, as book- keeper and cashier, which firm he succeeded in 1866, and formed a copartnership with J. H. D. Blake, who, unfortunately, died in about two months afterward, and left the entire business to his partner. During the war he was one of the most useful and indefatigable workers in the city. When the Board of Trade battery was organized, he took his place in its ranks, but a younger man insisted on taking his place, and did so, but Mr. Barrett found quite as important a field of use- fulness at home, and labored unremittingly on behalf of the Union cause till the rebellion was crushed. Mr. Barrett is a prominent Mason and Knight Templar, having taken every degree in the York, Scotch and Egyptian rites, and held various important offices in the lodge. He is a republican in politics, and in religion a Baptist. For fifteen or more years he has been an active mem- ber of the Second Baptist Church in Chicago, and particularly active in Sunday-school work. His genius for finance and undoubted integrity causes his friends and companions in the various relations of life to thrust innumerable positions of responsibility upon him. Wherever an efficient trustee, treasurer, or financial officer is required he is always in demand, so that he must act as treasurer and trustee for the church, president of the school board in Highland Park, where he resides, secretary and trustee of Chicago University, etc. He was a severe sufferer by the great fire, and lost nearly his whole property, but has more than made it up since, and is now owner of large real estate properties in the city, besides having an increasingly profitable insurance business. June 30. 1862, he was married to Miss Genevieve Hoard, daughter of his employer, the late Hon. Samuel Hoard, by whom he has had five boys and two girls, all living. In person Mr. Barrett is of medium size, five feet and eight inches in height, weighs one hundred and seventy-five pounds ; has light complexion, brown hair and hazel eyes. He is snugly built, put up on business principles, and is active and business-like in his motions. He has a pleasing exterior, is very approachable and attentive to strangers, and exceedingly sociable and entertaining to his friends. He has a large and benevolent heart, is known as a generous and liberal giver, and is highly esteemed by a large circle of friends in the West.

Oscar married Genevieve Hoard on 30 Jun 1862 in , Cook Co, Illinois, USA. Genevieve (daughter of Samuel Hoar and Sophronia Conant) was born about 1844. [Group Sheet]

Edward married Emmeline Wilcox. [Group Sheet]