|
NAVAGATION
Genesee County Biographies
Names A to B
Names C
Names D to E
Names F to G
Names H
Names I to L
Names M to N
Names O to R
Names S
Names T to Z
===========
Genesee County History
New York History
Erie County Biographies
History at Rays Place
Linkpendium Genesee County
|
Barr, William J., was born in Elba, N.Y., January 12, 1862, a son of J. J. Barr,
and a grandson of Phineas Barr, a pioneer of Elba, who built the first sawmill in the town and was one of the founders
of the Presbyterian church. William J. Barr attended the district schools and supplemented the instruction there
obtained by study in private schools and the Oswego Normal School, from which institution he was graduated in 1885.
In 1887 he was elected school commissioner in which office he served eight years, when he was appointed inspector
under the compulsory education law. He is a public spirited citizen and has exerted a broad influence in the county,
both in educational affairs and in the councils of the Republican party. His career as school commissioner marked
a new era in education in the county. The schools were graded according to modern and approved educational methods,
the standing of scholarship among teachers was raised, and the common school system received a lasting impetus.
Mr. Barr is a Mason, holding membership in Batavia Lodge, the Chapter and Commandery; he is also an Odd Fellow,
a member of Majestic Lodge and Genesee Encampment. On January 18, 1894, he was married to Mrs. Emma Curtis, daughter
of Josiah Gardner.
Source:
Our Countty and it's people
a descriptive work on Genesee County, New York
Edited by: F. W. Beers
J.W. Vose & Co., Publishers, Syracuse, N. Y. 1890
|
|