California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


 CHARLES W. BARRETT. The Barrett family was established in America prior to the Revolutionary war, in 
which the great-grandfather of Charles W. Barrett, an esteemed resident of Fresno, Cal., was a 
participant. The name was prominent in Maine, where F. A. Barrett was born, and whence he 
removed to New York City, and engaged as a builder. In 1861 he came to California via the Isthmus of 
Panama, and located as a contractor and builder in San Francisco, working at this business in different 
sections around the bay until his death in 1899. His wife, formerly Agnes Berry, was born in New York 
state, the descendant of an old New England family. She survives her husband and now makes her 
home in Fresno. Of their three living children Charles W. Barrett is the eldest, his birth having occurred 
in New York City May 11, 1859. 

Brought to California in 1861 by his parents, Charles W. Barrett was reared to manhood in San 
Francisco, where he received his education in the grammar and boys" high school. He studied 
bookkeeping while attending the public schools, and at the age of fifteen years learned the plumber's 
trade. Deciding to locate in Fresno, he came to this city in 1882, and entered the employ of the 
Donohoe-Fanning Company, with whom he remained four years. He then established his present 
business, which has since grown to large proportions, locating first on J street and later removing to 
1035 I street. The firm, which is known as the Barrett-Hicks Company, was incorporated in 1895, with 
Mr. Barrett as president, and today they carry on the most extensive hardware business in the city of 
Fresno. Their wholesale and retail establishment, where they display general hardware, stoves and 
tinware, is 50x150 feet in dimensions, while the shop is 35x150 feet, and is three stories in height. 
Their warehouses are located on the Southern Pacific Railroad. This business has proved one of the 
chief enterprises of Fresno, and has added much to the commercial prestige of the place. 

Mr. Barrett was united in marriage in San Francisco with Minnie Thomas, a native of Philadelphia, Pa. 
Fraternally be was made a Mason in Fresno Lodge No. 247, of which he is past master, and also 
belongs to Trigo Chapter, R. A. M., of this place; Fresno Commandery No. 29, K. T., and is also 
associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Republican in his' political convictions, 
and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Mr. Barrett is a charter member of the Chamber of 
Commerce, belongs to the Retail Hardware Association of the Pacific coast, and is a member of the 
Master Plumbers' Association.