BIOGRAPHY - AUGUSTUS BARROW
Augustus A. Barrow, who for several years has lived retired from active business life, enjoying well earned ease as the result of his energy and diligence in former years, makes his home in Gibson City. He is a native of Frederick county, Virginia, born July 8, 1848, of the marriage of Frederick and Mary (Smith) Barrow, the latter a daughter of Louis Smith, who was a soldier of the Prussian army. Frederick Barrow was born in Virginia, as was his father, and in that state reared his family. In his youthful days, Augustus A. Barrow attended a private school and when not occupied with the duties of the schoolroom assisted his father in the work of the home farm. With him he came to Illinois in 1867, the family home being established near where Gibson City now stands. The father purchased three hundred acres of land in Dix township, Ford county. His family numbered ten children.
Mr. Barrow of this review continued at home until he had attained his majority, when he went to Iowa, where he remained for a year. Following his return he was united in marriage to Miss Martha E. Barrow, a cousin, in 1870 and unto them were born four children — Hattie, who died at the age of twenty years; Weaver, who died at the age of seven; one who died in infancy; and Louis A. at home. The wife and mother departed this life in 1887 and Mr. Barrow afterward married Miss Belle Stephens, a daughter of James Stephens, of Melvin, Illinois.
In his political views Mr. Barrow is a democrat, stalwart in support of the principles of the party. He has held the office of tax collector and assessor for one term and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, also called him to the office of justice of the peace and his decisions were characterized by the utmost impartiality. He was one of the first drainage commissioners of the Big Four Drainage Company, which position he held for eight years.
For several years Mr. Barrow has now lived retired, deriving a good income from the rental of his farm of two hundred and fifty acres of rich and productive land, which he brought under a high state of cultivation and which is now a valuable property. The energy and unfaltering diligence which he displayed in former years make his present rest possible and he is now numbered among the substantial men of Gibson City. He belongs to the Odd Fellows Society, with which he has been identified for twenty-seven years, and has held all of the chairs in Gibson City lodge. For almost a quarter of a century he has been connected with the Knights of Pythias.
Extracted 16 Oct 2016 by Norma Hass from History of Ford County, Illinois, From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, author E. A. Gardner, Volume 2, pages 531-532.
