Captain Daniel Loyal Barber, of Wallingford, is widely and prominently known in connection with silver manufacturing interests and also in military affairs and in Masonic circles. In fact, he has been closely and prominently identified with many of the interests which go to make up the sum of existence in a community, furthering its material, intellectual, social and moral progress.

A native son of Connecticut, he was born in Litchfield on the 19th of March, 1855, and comes of Welsh ancestry, two brothers of the name leaving the little rock-ribbed country of Wales to become residents of America, at which time they took up their abode in Windsor, Connecticut. His great-grandfather was Lorin Barber, who married a Miss Murrell and his grandparents were Asa and Mindwell (Rossiter) Barber. His father, Loyal Rossiter Barber, was also born in Litchfield and became a farmer and timber operator at Litchfield and at Harwinton. His death occurred in the latter place in 1884, when he had reached the age of seventy-three years. His political allegiance was given to the whig party until its dissolution, after which he joined the ranks of the new republican party and was an active worker for its support. He married Lucretia Buell, a daughter of Norman Buell, of Litchfield, her death occurring in 1909, when she had reached the notable old age of ninety-five years.

Captain Barber was the eighth in order of birth in a family of nine children and has two sisters surviving, Mrs. Edgar H. Chipman, who resides in Waterbury, and Mrs. E. F. Perkins, of Litchfield. In the public schools of Litchfield, Captain Barber began his education, which he also pursued in the academy there. He likewise attended the schools of Harwinton, to which place his parents removed when he was a lad of thirteen years. His textbooks were put aside when he reached the age of eighteen and he then started out in the business world. He first had charge of an engine at the Parker & Dayton Spring Bed and Scaffold Bracket Company's plant, with which firm he continued for about a year and a half, when the company failed. He next entered the employ of the Standard Rule & Level Company of New Britain, Connecticut, having charge of a woodturning machine. Later he went to Burlington, Connecticut, where he had charge of woodturning works until he came to Wallingford in 1879. In March of the following year he entered the employ of the R. Wallace & Sons Manufacturing Company, with which he has since been identified He spent nine years as foreman of the buffing department and then became a contractor in German silver flatware, trimming and polishing, and for the past twelve years, since the abolishment of the contract plan, he has been foreman of that department. His identification with the company therefore covers thirty-seven years and his efforts have been a contributing element to its success.

It was the year before his removal to Wallingford that Captain Barber was married in Harwinton, on the 20th of June, 1878, to Miss Emma .J. Butler, a daughter of Louis L. and Perla A. Butler of that place. They reside at No. 131 Church street in Wallingford. That Mrs. Barber is descended from colonial ancestry is indicated by the fact that she now holds membership in Ruth Hall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Captain and Mrs. Barber hold membership in the Congregational church and he is identified with the Wallingford Club. His political allegiance has long been given to the republican party and he has served on the republican town committee, while for two terms he was a member of the court of burgesses.

Captain Barber has a most interesting military chapter in his life record. In 1875 he enlisted in the First Infantry Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard, with which he served for three years. He became a private of Company K, Second Infantry of the Connecticut National Guard, on the 20th of September, 1883, and passed through all the grades of promotion save that of first lieutenant, being made captain on the 7th of November, 1891. He was placed on the retired list November 7, 1896, after spending five years as captain, and at the time of his retirement was presented by his company with a beautiful lamp. He has since given to his old company a silver cup, to be retained only in case they won three successive matches of competitive shooting with other companies of the regiment. This feat the company has accomplished and therefore retains the cup. On the 1st of January, 1900, Captain Barber was appointed inspector of small arms prac-tice and was placed on the retired list on the 1st of January, 1901. He still retains an active interest in military affairs and was a recruiting officer for the Home Guard during the winter of 1910-17 and enlisted one hundred and fifty-six men. He has been very active in Memorial Day affairs and in connection with the Grand Army. In April, 1917, he was made grand marshal of Decoration Day ceremonies "'for life or as long as able to perform the duties." When it was decided to celebrate in honor of Lyman Hall in 1916 he was made chairman of the general committee of the Lyman Hall Day Celebration. Upon him devolved the bulk of the initiative, work in that undertaking and to his efforts and his direction the greater credit is due for the phenomenal success achieved in that historic event, of which all Wallingford is proud.

Captain Barber became a charter member of Ivy Lodge, No. 43, K. P., upon its establishment more than thirty years ago, and upon the organization of a company of the Uniformed Rank twenty years ago, he became its first captain. At the organization of the Second Regiment of the same he became a major and about 1896 was made colonel. After two years he resigned and was appointed on Major General Cunningham's staff with the rank of colonel, holding that position until the death of General Cunningham about eight years ago. Colonel Barber took his regiment to Washington to the encampment of 1898 and had a larger regiment than the Second Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard. For the past thirty-two years Captain Barber has been a loyal Mason and has taken the Royal Arch degrees. He was also chief ranger of the Court of Samuel Simpson of the Order of Foresters for the first two years after its organization.

Not to know Captain Barber in Wallingford is to argue oneself unknown. He is one of its most prominent and influential citizens, highly esteemed by all, and the part which he has taken in public affairs has contributed much to the welfare and progress of the city. He has made an excellent record in business circles, has done much to uphold the highest military standards and in fraternal relations he has given proof of the value of the organizations which he represents by exemplifying in his life the beneficent principles upon which they are founded.