|
Henry Rodman Barker
Henry Rodman Barker (September 15, 1841 – March 17, 1901)[1][A] was 15th mayor of Providence, Rhode Island 1889-1891. Personal lifeHenry Rodman Barker was born "Henry Augustus Rodman Barker" in Providence, Rhode Island on September 15, 1841, to William Cornell Barker and Sarah A. Jencks.[2] He attended public schools in Providence and graduated from high school in 1859.[2] A year later, he went to work for the Providence Mutual Fire Insurance Company.[2] When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted as sergeant of Company I, Tenth Rhode Island Regiment for one term of service, then returned to the insurance company.[2][3] From that time on, he was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic.[2] Barker was associated with several banks, including Samuel P. Colt's Industrial Trust Company, the Rhode Island Investment Company, the Rhode Island Electric Protective Company, the Old Colony Cooperative Bank,[2] the Roger Williams Savings Fund and Loan Association, and the Boston Investment Company.[3] Barker joined the Masons in 1862, and belonged to Grace Episcopal Church.[2] Barker married Annie C. Tripp, daughter of Stephen A. and Jane Ames Tripp, of New Bedford in October 1864.[3] They had two children.[2] Barker died suddenly on March 17, 1901,[A] at his home in Providence while getting ready for church.[1] The cause was apparently heart failure.[1] He was buried at Swan Point Cemetery.[2] City councilBarker served seven years on the city council, serving from 1873 to 1880.[2][3] As a city councilman, Barker was a strong supporter of Mayor Doyle's introduction of modern infrastructure systems, needed as Providence grew into a modern city.[2] These improvements included waterworks and a sewage system, modern schools, and improvements in municipal services.[2] MayorAs mayor, Barker called for city funding of the public library, which previously had been privately funded.[3] He improved the sewage system and improved the railroad terminal.[3] Notes
References
External links
Information related to Henry Rodman Barker |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
