Ventura County Biographies

J. A. Barker

Submitted by Sandy Neder

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
J. A. Barker. - In traveling east of Santa Paula a mile and turning to the south 
a quarter of a mile, one comes upon the lovely sequestered spot, under the 
spreading oaks, and numerous shade and fruit trees of the owner's own planting - 
the cosy home of the pioneer, J. A. Barker. The house is nearly hidden from view 
by the endless variety of fruit and other trees that surround it. The first 
intimation of life on the ranch is the friendly greeting of the harmless old 
house dogs, which by their wag and twist seem to say, "We are glad you have 
come." Next, the visitor is met and taken by the hand by the pioneer himself, 
who, in his frank and hospitable manner, invites his guest in and makes him feel 
at home.
Mr. Barker was born in Louisville, Kentucky, December 3, 1833. He is a son of 
John Barker, a native of Kentucky, born in 1802, and a grandson of Stephen 
Barker, also a native of the "Blue Grass State." Both Mr. Barker's mother, nee 
Mary Asheroff, and her father, James Asheroff, are Kentuckians by birth. The 
subject of this sketch is the youngest of a family of ten children, only four of 
whom are now living. He was educated in Missouri and lived on a farm there until 
twenty years of age. In 1853 he came to the Golden State, in search of its rich 
treasures. For six years he mined in Nevada County, with good success, his 
average per day being from $7 to $14. He came out of the mines with what to him 
seemed satisfactory results. He makes the statement that he has seen a piece of 
quartz rock seventy-six pounds in weight, that contained $8,250 in gold. After 
leaving the mines he engaged in freighting, and received $35 per thousand for 
drawing lumber seventeen miles. There were very few settlers in this part of the 
county when Mr. Barker came here in 1869 - Mr. J. Crane, Judge Wason and Mr. 
George M. Richardson were here, and soon other settlers came and the work of 
development was pushed forward. Mr. Barker took up a Government claim of 160 
acres, which he has improved, and where he has been engaged in general farming, 
raising corn, barley, beans, horses, cattle and hogs. Mr. Barker is only one of 
the many who have come here and have made for themselves and families beautiful 
homes in this sunny clime.
    He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Lee, a native of Ohio, and daughter 
of Joseph Lee, who was born in Massachusetts. They have had a family of eight 
children, six of whom are living: James, Benton, Mary Ella, Sarah Isabel, John 
Wesley and Hattie. Several of the children are married and live near him. Mr. 
Barker's political views are Democratic. He and his wife are members of the 
Baptist Church.
 
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS 
OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 677