WILLIAM A. BARRY, a leading merchant of West Alexander, is a son of Jacob A. Barry, who was born in Beverly, Mass. near Boston, where he passed his youth. Jacob A. Barry received a superior literary and musical education in Boston, and then came to Pennsylvania, where he accepted a position in the female seminary at Kittanning. He there met and was soon after married to Harriet Newton, of Westmoreland county, Penn., and the young couple made a home in Columbus, Ohio, where he was engaged in teaching music. The children born to their union were: Josephine A. (deceased), William A., George A. (U. S. land register at Eau Claire, Wis.), and Mary E. S. (deceased in youth). Of this family, Josephine A. was married to W. W. Young, who then engaged in the lumber business at Philadelphia, and was afterward appointed general agent of ticket offices on the Pennsylvania lines, which position he held until his death, the result of an accident. In 1845 Mr. Barry entered into partnership with a Mr. Goodall, organizing the firm of Goodall & Barry, for the manufacture of pianos, etc., and they carried on an extensive business. Mr. Barry started with a boatload of pianos down the Ohio river, but was suddenly taken ill on the way, and died at Marietta, Ohio, where he was buried. The widow and family came to Wheeling, W. Va., where she was afterward married to A. D. Bedillion, a citizen of that town, and they then removed to Pittsburgh, Penn. Mr. Barry served as major in the Seminole war in Florida. In politics he was a Whig; in religion a member of the Episcopal Church. William A. Barry was born January 8, 1844, in Beverly, near Boston, Mass., and was reared and educated in Pittsburgh, Penn., and Wheeling, W. Va. At the age of sixteen years he enlisted in the Independent Light Artillery, Battery E, known as "Knapp's Light Battery." They were sent to Point of Rocks, Md., went with Banks down the Shenandoah Valley, and were under Pope at the second battle of Bull Run also at Cedar Mountain, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and at Culp's and Power's Hill. He re-enlisted in 1864, as a veteran, and served until the close of the war. His regiment joined Sherman at Northville, and they were in the fight at Lookout Mountain; then followed Sherman to the sea, participating in all the battles of that campaign. At Atlanta Mr. Barry was made orderly to Gen. John A. Reynolds, with whom he remained until the close of the struggle. On August 30, 1870, Mr. Barry was united in marriage with Sarah M., daughter of John Reed, of West Finley township, Washington county, and the following children were born to them: John A., Hattie R., Robert B. and Mary L. After his return from the war, Mr. Barry took up his home in Dallas, W. Va., where he was postmaster for eight years. He also conducted a general store, which he finally sold, and then moved to Barnesville, where he remained one year; then returning to Dallas, he reopened his store, and remained in business two and one-half years. In 1874 he opened a store at West Alexander, this county, which he conducted eight years, and then purchased the hardware business he now owns. He has also carried on an extensive picture- enlarging business for several years, having in his youth learned painting. In politics Mr. Barry has always been a Republican, and has filled the offices of burgess, treasurer, member of the council, and school director. He has served for three terms as commander of James Noble Post, of which he was the originator and organizer. In religious faith he is an active worker in the Presbyterian Church.

Text taken from page 1343 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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