Husband Hon. William W. Barr 1 2 3
Born: 15 Feb 1827 - Centre Co, PA 1 2
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Father: William Barr (1794-1837) 2 3
Mother: Jane Semple (1792-1850) 3
Marriage: 31 Mar 1859 4 5
Wife Mary Pritner 4 5
Born: 22 Nov 1838 - Curllsville, Clarion Co, PA 5
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Father: Dr. John T. Pritner ( - ) 4 5
Mother:
Children
1 M [Infant] Barr 4 5
Born:
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Died: in infancy
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2 F Lulu Barr 5
Born:
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Spouse: W. A. Hetzell ( - ) 4 5
General Notes: Husband - Hon. William W. Barr
He was reared on his father's farm, and received a common-school education in the schools of Boalsburg, Centre County, Pennsylvania, remaining on the farm until fifteen or sixteen years of age, when he began teaching school. Later he attended for a year Dickinson Seminary, at Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Following this he went to Lewiston, Mifflin County, and again engaged in teaching, occupying his leisure hours in reading law. He pursued his law studies under Joseph Alexander, and was admitted to practice in 1852. In 1852-53 he served as transcribing clerk in the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania. He was a fluent and able young speaker, and in the campaign of 1851 he did effective work on the stump. On being admitted to the Bar, he remained in the office of his preceptor until April, 1853, except while engaged in his duties as Clerk at Harrisburg. Through the advice of Hon. Seth Clover, then canal commissioner, he located at Clarion, opened a law office, and began the efforts to gain a standing as a lawyer. He was not long in getting a foothold, which was soon followed by a large practice. In 1854 he was elected district attorney, and was re-elected to the same incumbency in 1857, serving in all six years. As an attorney for the state, he was engaged in the prosecution of the celebrated Logan murder case, which resulted in the conviction of the defendant of murder in the first degree, and, on a new trial, of murder in the second degree. In 1861 Mr. Barr was elected treasurer of the county, serving one term. In 1864 he was the choice of the people of Clarion County for the General Assembly, to which he was elected, and was re-elected in the following year. During his service in that body he was on a number of important committees, among which was the Ways and Means, Judiciary and others, at the time the Hon. Matthew S. Quay was chairman of the former. During his term in the Assembly the entire country was wrought up over the proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States, allowing the right of suffrage to the colored people of the South. Judge Barr made an able speech in opposition to the amendment, and predicted that the Republican party of the North would regret their action in forcing the amendment, that as the Constitution then stood only three-fifths of' the colored people of the South were numbered in the population, while the amendment provided that all should be enumerated as citizens with the right of franchise, thus increasing the strength of the South in Congress by one-third and more, that the Southern people, being familiar with the habits of the colored people, would soon control them at the polls, and thus strengthen the power of the southern states in the United States government. This prediction was more than verified by subsequent events. He was again elected to the office of district attorney in 1869, and was re-elected in 1872, serving in all twelve years in that office. At that time, owing to the great oil business of the locality, the office of district attorney was a very important one, there often being upward of a hundred cases to a term of court. On the death of Hon. T. S. Wilson, in 1891, Mr. Barr was appointed by Gov. Pattison to the judgeship of the Eighteenth Judicial District (composed of Clarion County, with Jefferson County attached), serving out the unexpired term with dignity and ability. On his retirement, as an evidence of the appreciation of his friends for his services on the Bench, he was banqueted by the Clarion Bar Association, which adopted the following resolutions:
Whereas-During the past six months Hon. W. W. Barr, by appointment of the Governor of the Commonwealth, has presided over the courts of Clarion county, and by reason of the expiration of his term of office is now about to retire from the position, and, whereas, the members of the bar of said county desire to give formal expression of the respect and confidence in which they hold the said retiring Judge; therefore, be it resolved, that Judge Barr, in his judicial career has amply demonstrated that his sole purpose in every judicial act was to intelligently and honestly administer the law without fear, favor or partiality, in furtherance of the cause of Justice. That by his uniform kindness and courtesy, his fair and impartial discharge of duty, and his intelligent and conscientious administration of the position of president judge, he has deservedly won the esteem and confidence of the members of the Bar, and in his retirement from the Bench carries with him their good will and best wishes for his future prosperity and happiness. That these resolutions be spread on the records of the court as an enduring testimonial of a good and upright judge, and a copy thereof be handed Judge Barr.
The Judge was presented by the Bar with a pair of bronze statuettes. The Jefferson Court Bar formed similar resolutions, and presented Judge Barr with an elegant gold-headed cane.
He became the oldest practitioner at the Clarion Bar, and even after he reached man's allotted years he was still engaged in active practice, which was large.
He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. Socially he was a member of the F. & A. M., and was master of his lodge for three terms; he also served three years as deputy grand master. For a number of years he served as a trustee of his lodge, also as a trustee of the State Normal School at Clarion, and held many other places, such as burgess of the town and member of the town council, etc. In politics he was always a Democrat.