Robert Barber, of Montgomery, Alabama was the register in United States land office in 1900. He was born in Utica, N. Y., December 29, 1840, the son of Milo G. and Mary A. (Addy) Barber of New York State.
Milo G. Barber had been sheriff of Oneida county, N. Y. He died in 1855. Robert’s mother died in 1854. His grandfather, Robert Barber, was a captain in the Revolutionary war and was at the battle of Bennington, Vt, with Gen. Starke in command.
Robert was the second oldest child of five. He was reared in Oneida county, N. Y., receiving his education in the public schools and graduating in the high school. In 1861 he enlisted in the Twenty-second New York Volunteer infantry and served two years; was wounded at the battle of Antietam, veteranized as adjutant of Second New York Veteran cavalry. He was mustered out of the service at Talladega, Alabama as acting assistant adjutant general of cavalry forces of Alabama.
After the war he opened a drug store in Talladega, and which was subsequently burned out. In 1866 he came to Montgomery as chief clerk in the civil bureau at military headquarters. He was secretary of the Constitutional convention of 1867 and the first sheriff of Montgomery county after the war.
Robert Barber became clerk of the House of Representatives in 1874 and was United States commissioner and law clerk for fifteen years. He was retained in office during both of President Cleveland’s administrations and was chief deputy United States marshal at Huntsville four years.
Robert was also office deputy at Birmingham four years and became register of the United States land office in 1897 He was a member of Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Grand Army of the Republic encampment, and a Mason.
He married July 1866, Alice V. Hall , the daughter of Frank Hall and his wife, Elizabeth Hall, both natives of Virginia.
Robert and Alice Hall had two children,
Thomas Milo Barber , who worked with Hardy Brothers, clothiers,
Mrs. Mary Arnold, who resided in Birmingham, Alabama.
SOURCES
Notable men of Alabama edited by Joel Campbell DuBose Vol. III
Find A Grave Memorial# 25709630 # 15916353 – These two tombstones in Oakwood Cemetery in Montgomery, Alabama may be Robert’s and Milo G. Barbers – more proof needed.
ROBERT BARBER
