Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 619.

W. L. BARKER

     who is at the head of a large implement and hardware business in Condon, is
one of the early settlers in Gilliam county and has done a lion's share in the
development of its resources and in augmenting its wealth. He is a man of
stamina and keen business ability and if one good quality shows more than
another, it is his tenacity and determination to hold to a line of enterprise
until he makes it a splendid success. This is the true spirit that wins the
laurels in life and it is well exemplified in our subject.
     W. L. Barker was born in Athens, Maine, on January 8, 1858, the son of
Charles F. and Sila (Libby) Barker, both natives of Maine. The mother died there
on February 15, 1858, but the father is still living in his native state. Our
subject was well educated in his home place and in the great centennial year he
started west with the determination to do for himself and win the smiles of the
goddess of fortune. After a short time in Iowa, Mr. Barker was filled with the
idea of seeing Oregon and soon he was in the central part of the state. In 1877
he landed in what is Gilliam county, now, and at once took up the stock
business.  The next year, 1878, the Indians were on the warpath in many sections
and all the settlers, with the exception of four besides Mr. Barker, went to The
Dalles. These five brave men watched with care for weeks and looked after the
stock left behind.  For three weeks they slept on their picket ropes, but the
time passed without the appearance of the savages and they saved the stock. For
fifteen years Mr. Barker continued in raising stock and all the time was winning
good success. Then he turned his attention to farming and for a decade followed
that with good prosperity. During his time he handled three thousand acres. It
required forty head of horses to plow the land and other things in proportion.
However, Mr. Barker was able to manage the establishment with such wisdom that
he had good returns. He usually fed his grain to stock, and especially hogs. On
one occasion, he drove two hundred and forty hogs to Arlington without the loss
of an animal, a record which is seldom equaled. In April, 1903, Mr. Barker
decided to embark in the mercantile business and accordingly opened his present
business. He carries a stock from fifteen to twenty thousand dollars worth and
has the best the market affords for the uses of this county. He is well and
favorably known all over the county and the surrounding country and the result
is that he has a large and ever increasing trade.
     In 1881, Mr. Barker married Miss Anna Cornett, who was born in the
Willamette valley, the daughter of William and Mary J. (McCarty) Cornett, who
are mentioned specifically in another portion of this work. Seven children have
come to bless the household, and they are named as follows: Emma J., Cora,
Frank, Mabel, Florence, Josie and Beulah. Mr. Barker has two brothers, S. B. and
Lewis, who are engaged in the stock business in Wyoming, and two, Austin and
Charles, who are farming in Maine. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the W. W.,
the A. O.U. W., the circle, and the Degree of Honor. Mr. Barker is spoken of
everywhere as a good man, a patriotic citizen and a kind and loving father and
husband. He has certainly made the best of provision for his loved ones, for he
carries twelve thousand dollars of life insurance in various lines. Six thousand
of this is in the New York Equitable. In financial matters, Mr. Barker has won
the best of success and his good example has also stimulated many others to
better effort. He is one of the leading men of the county, is always interested
in what is for the welfare of all, is broad minded and a genuine westerner, of
the generous, genial and; open hearted kind, who wins and holds your friendship,
simply because of his worth and excellent qualities.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2010 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.