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History of Clarion County, Pennsylvania
Edited by A. J. Davis
Pub. D. Mason & Co., Syracuse, N.Y. - 1887

         [p. 657-658]
         
         BARR, HON. W. W., was born in Penn's Valley, Centre county,
       on the 15th day of February, 1827. In early life he worked on
       a farm and attended the public schools, and later attended
       Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport, Pa. In August, 1850, he
       commenced the study of law in the office of JOSEPH ALEXANDER, 
       ESQ., at Lewistown, Mifflin county, Pa., and two years after-
       wards was admitted to the bar of that county.
       
         In April, 1853, he removed to Clarion and began the practice
       of law, and soon acquired a lucrative business. Afer a resi-
       dence here of one year MR. BARR was elected district attorney
       of the county, and was re-elected in 1857. In 1861 he was 
       elected county treasurer of Clarion county, serving two years,
       and in 1864 was elected a member of the Pennsylvania Legisla-
       ture. He was re-elected in 1865, and served two full terms.
       He was again elected district attorney in 1869, and re-elected
       in 1872, having served in that office four terms, covering
       twelve years. He also served many years as a member of the
       town council of Clarion. In all these positions he served
       with integrity and ability.
       
         In politics MR. BARR has always been a Democrat, and an
       active worker. He was chariman of the County Committee as
       early as 1856, and has served in the same capacity several
       times since, as well as that of delegate to County and State
       conventions. He has also on several occasions been a member
       of the State Central Committee of his party.
       
         MR. BARR has been a Mason since 1854, being a member of the
       lodge in Clarion. He served as master during the years 1859,
       '64, and '68, and was District Deputy Grand Master for the
       district composed of the counties of Armstrong, Cambria,
       Clarion, Indiana, and Jefferson, for the years 1869,'69, and
       '70, and has always been a close attendant on the meetings of
       the lodge, and taken an interest in the success of the frater-
       nity.
       
         On the 31st of March, 1859, he married MARY, daughter of
       Dr. J. T. PRITNER, of Clarion. Two children, a son and a 
       daughter, have blessed this union. The son died in infancy,
       and the daughter is married to W. A. HETZEL, of Allegheny.
       
         MR. BARR assisted in the organization of the first agri-
       cultural society in Clarion county, and was the first secretary
       of that association. For a number of years he has been a trustee
       of the Presbyterian Church of Clarion, and has been liberal in
       his contributions for charitable purposes.
       
         Before the war, CAPTAIN BARR commanded a military company,
       and thus acquired the title by which he is generally known.
       In manner MR. BARR is modest and pleasant, having a kind word
       for all whom he meets. These traits have made him many friends.
       Having earned the money to pay for his education, he may truly
       be said to be a self-made man. By close application to business
       and judicious investments, he has gained a moderate competence,
       and his fair dealing has placed him in the front rank among the
       substantial business men of Clarion.
       
       
         
         Transcriber Note: His obituary (1 March, 1900) gives his full
                           name as William Willis Barr.
         
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