John E. Gable's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.978

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History of Cambria County, V.2

978 HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY

    Florentine H. Barker, deceased, was a representative citizen of Ebensburg, and a member of a family that has been prominently identified with the history of Cambria County. He was born at Center Lovell, Maine, Feb 8, 1847, the son of Hon. Abraham A. and Orsina P. (Little) Barker.
    Hon. Abraham A. Barker, the founder of the mercantile and lumber business conducted by Barker Bros., was born at Lovell, Oxford County, Maine, March 30, 1816. He came of Puritan stock and his ancestors were among the first immigrants. In 1854 he removed to Carroll Township, Cambria County, attracted by the oak timer there. He was a pioneer in the lumber business in this section and engaged in the mercantile business and manufacture of pine and hemlock lumber. He conducted his various business enterprises with great success and in 1866, with his son, Florentine H., organized the firm of A. A. Barker & Son. In 1879 Mr. Barker retired and died in 1898. To Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Barker were born four sons: Florentine H., the subject of this sketch; Valentine S., who died in 1906; Augustine V., lives at Bradentown, Fla; and Constantine H., who died in 1924.
    Florentine H. Barker received his education in the common schools and at the early age of 15 years enlisted in Company E. Fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia. Two years later he enlisted in Company C, Two Hundred Ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served with the rank of corporal until the close of the war. He was in active service in the Eighteenth Army Corps under Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, in the Army of the James, and in the Ninth Army Corps under General Parke, in the Army of the Potomac.
    At the close of the war, upon his return home, he became associated with his father in the mercantile and lumber business in Ebensburg. Besides these extensive business interests, Mr. Barker was president of the F. H. Barker Lumber Company of Barnesboro. He was one of the founders of the First Nation Bank of Ebensburg and served as on of its directors until his death, Jan 11, 1921.
    On Feb 8, 1870, Mr. Barker was united in m marriage with Miss Maggie A. Zahm, the daughter of George C. K. and Eliza (Wherry) Zahm, of Ebensburg. Mrs. Barker died June 26, 1926. They had one son, Dr. Orlin A., born Jan 14, 1872. He was graduated from Lafayette College in 1895, and in 1898 received his degree as Doctor of Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania. He spent two years in study in Europe and specializes in the treatment of diseases of the eye, with offices in Johnstown.

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978	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY
Florentine H. Barker, deceased, was a representative citizen of Ebensburg, and a member of a family that has been prominently identified with the history of Cambria County. He was born at Center Lovell, Maine, Feb 8, 1847, the son of Hon. Abraham A. and Orsina P. (Little) Barker. Hon. Abraham A. Barker, the founder of the mercantile and lumber business conducted by Barker Bros., was born at Lovell, Oxford County, Maine, March 30, 1816. He came of Puritan stock and his ancestors were among the first immigrants. In 1854 he removed to Carroll Township, Cambria County, attracted by the oak timer there. He was a pioneer in the lumber business in this section and engaged in the mercantile business and manufacture of pine and hemlock lumber. He conducted his various business enterprises with great success and in 1866, with his son, Florentine H., organized the firm of A. A. Barker & Son. In 1879 Mr. Barker retired and died in 1898. To Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Barker were born four sons: Florentine H., the subject of this sketch; Valentine S., who died in 1906; Augustine V., lives at Bradentown, Fla; and Constantine H., who died in 1924. Florentine H. Barker received his education in the common schools and at the early age of 15 years enlisted in Company E. Fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia. Two years later he enlisted in Company C, Two Hundred Ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served with the rank of corporal until the close of the war. He was in active service in the Eighteenth Army Corps under Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, in the Army of the James, and in the Ninth Army Corps under General Parke, in the Army of the Potomac. At the close of the war, upon his return home, he became associated with his father in the mercantile and lumber business in Ebensburg. Besides these extensive business interests, Mr. Barker was president of the F. H. Barker Lumber Company of Barnesboro. He was one of the founders of the First Nation Bank of Ebensburg and served as on of its directors until his death, Jan 11, 1921. On Feb 8, 1870, Mr. Barker was united in m marriage with Miss Maggie A. Zahm, the daughter of George C. K. and Eliza (Wherry) Zahm, of Ebensburg. Mrs. Barker died June 26, 1926. They had one son, Dr. Orlin A., born Jan 14, 1872. He was graduated from Lafayette College in 1895, and in 1898 received his degree as Doctor of Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania. He spent two years in study in Europe and specializes in the treatment of diseases of the eye, with offices in Johnstown.