Santa Clara County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
SAMUEL ALPHONSO BARKER
            Samuel Alphonso Barker was born in Kennebec County, Maine, July 26, 
1833.  His paternal ancestors were English, and those on his mother�s side were 
Scotch.  His family is one of the oldest in the country, his people having come 
to America about seven years after the Mayflower.  The family in this country is 
descended from two brothers, Noah and Carr Barker, the latter being the ancestor 
of the subject of this sketch.  His descendants settled in Maine, while it was 
still a part of the province of Massachusetts.  Mr. Barker�s maternal ancestors 
were also early in America.  His mother�s father was a Revolutionary soldier, 
and it was while on the march to Canada, under Arnold, that he selected the 
tract of land upon which he afterwards settled.  This tract was afterwards a 
part of the city of Hallowell.  He engaged in ship-building for a few years, and 
then removed to the neighborhood of Reedville, where he purchased a farm and 
devoted himself to agricultural pursuits.  This farm is still in possession of 
his descendants.  The subject of this sketch was educated in his native State, 
and, in 1854, commenced the study of law in the office of Judge Josiah H. 
Drummond, who has since been attorney-general of the State.  In 1857 Mr. Barker 
was admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the State of Maine.  He 
practiced his profession successfully for ten years in his native State, and in 
1867 came to California, being attracted hither by the desire to renew his 
health, which too close application to business had impaired.  He had chosen 
Santa Clara County for his residence and came directly to San Jose.
            He here resumed the practice of his profession, selecting the 
department of counselor rather than that of advocate.  He has confined himself 
as nearly as possible to probate and commercial cases and cases involving the 
title to lands.  His sound judgment and knowledge of the law, especially in the 
departments which he had selected for his specialties, brought him a large and 
lucrative practice.  The accuracy of his opinions in regard to the investment of 
capital attracted to him many clients, who have trusted implicitly to his 
judgment and his integrity, and have never had occasion to regret their 
confidence.  In all questions touching estates of deceased persons and the laws 
affecting real-estate titles, Mr. Barker is considered an authority.  He is a 
member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the State and of the United States 
District Court.  He is attorney for the Board of Trade of San Jose, and of the 
Garden City Savings Union.  He was married, April 5, 1858, to Sarah E. Parshley, 
of Maine, and has three children:  Charles A., now assistant manager of the San 
Francisco Lumber Company; Frank P., deputy recorder and auditor of Santa Clara 
County; and Alfred, now a student at the California Military Academy, at 
Oakland.
Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California, 
Illustrated. - Edited by H. S. Foote.- Chicago:  The Lewis Publishing Company, 
1888. Pg. 99 - Transcribed by Kathy Sedler