William E. Barber

     William E. Barber was born on 1 February 1867 at Town of Greenbush, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, USA.^1,3,2 He was the son of Melford Hamilton Barber and Eugenia A. McKean.^1,2

     William E. Barber married Ida A. Crawford, daughter of Andrew Crawford and Mary L (?), on 10 June 1891 at Calumet County, Wisconsin, USA, at age 24.⁴ William E. Barber was a telephone operator on 8 June 1900 at Ontonagon, Ontonagon, Michigan, USA.⁵ He was a telegraph operator on 27 April 1910 at Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin, USA.⁶ He was a freight agent for a railroad company on 15 January 1920 at Chilton, Calumet, Wisconsin, USA.⁷
     William E. Barber died on 21 August 1920 at age 53.^8,9 His obituary states
"William Barber Chilton Times August 28, 1920

It was with profound sorrow that the citizens of this community learned on Sunday morning that William E. Barber had been stricken with heart failure and passed away at his home on Saturday evening. Mrs. Barber had been troubled with high blood pressure for three years, but was at work on Saturday as usual and in the evening as was his custom, he was at the railroad station to look after the express which was carried on Train No. Nine due to arrive at 10;06. The train was forty minutes late and when he finished his work it was about eleven o'clock and he and his brother Clifford Barber, who was visiting him returned home apparently all right. After being in the house for a while, however, he complained of severe pain in the region of his heart and in a few moments passed away. A physician was sent for and everything was done to revive him but the spark of life had fled.
William Elmer Barber, son of Mr. and Mrs. Milford Barber was born at Glenbeulah, Sheboygan county, Feb. 1, 1867. He grew to manhood on his father's farm and after completing the common school secured a position in the railroad office at Plymouth and took up the study of telegraphy and general railroad office work for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad. This was the beginning of a very successful career which ended abruptly on Saturday. In 1888 he was transferred to Chilton where he held the position of operator. He was married here on June 10, 1892 to Miss Ida Crawford, daughter of the late Andrew Crawford, one of the pioneer settlers of this city. Shortly after his marriage the young couple went to Plymouth to live, Mr. Barber being appointed depot agent in that city. This position he held for three years and was then transferred to Ontonagon, Mich., having charge of that station for ten years. He was then promoted to the office of train dispatcher with headquarters at Green Bay, filling this position for fifteen years. On the death of station agent C. D. Klumb some three years ago Mr. Barber was appointed as his successor.
The deceased is survived by a widow, three sons, Andrew of Hartford, Kenneth and Leland at home and four daughters, Mrs. A. J. Balza of Green Bay, Mrs. F. N. Norris of Chicago, Dorothy and Betty at home. He also leaves his father, Milford Barber of Glenbeulah, two brothers, Hiram of Rhinelander, Clifford of Appleton and a sister, Mrs. P. M. Ross of Milwaukee.
The funeral was held from the Trinity Presbyterian church, services being conducted by Rev. Haywood of Neenah who preached a very consoling sermon. The church was taxed to its capacity and many were obliged to remain outside during services. Interment was made in the Breed cemetery."⁹