FRED BARRET is numbered among the honored pioneers of Rock County, dating his residence from 1844, and is now engaged in farming on section 14, Magnolia Township. He was born in Dutchess County, N.Y., on the 15th day of October, 1829, and is a son of Abijah K. and Lydia (ROBINSON) BARRETT. His parents were both natives of Dutchess County, where their marriage was celebrated. The family was established in America during the early days of New York, and is supposed to be of Irish ancestry. The maternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of the Revolution.
The family of Abijah and Lydia BARRETT numbered eleven children, and, with the exception of one, all attained to mature years. They are as follows: Ogden, who is now a coal and wood dealer, of Sioux Falls, Dak.; Clarke, who remained at home until the age of twenty years, when enlisted as a seaman, and is supposed to have been lost, being last heard of many years ago in Liverpool just before the vessel sailed for New York City; Meliza became the wife of Moses BARRETT, a cousin, and both are now deceased; Fred, of this sketch, is the fourth in order of birth; Oliver died in Rock County; Peter and Robinson, (twins) are now engaged in farming, the former in Magnolia Township, the latter in Dakota; Emily, widow of William HAMMOND, makes her home in Nappa City, Cal; Phoebe, widow of Peter EDWARDS, is a resident of Evansville, Rock County; Isaiah is a retired farmer living in Sioux Falls, Dak.; and Vanness died at the age of about five years.
In 1834, our subject removed with his father's family to Tioga County, N.Y., where his education was begun in the public schools. Residing in that county until 1845, the family removed to Rock County, Wis. The previous year, the father had made a trip to the West and being pleased with this community had entered about 640 acres of land on what is now section 14, in the town of Magnolia. His selection proved a wise one, the land being of the greatest fertility and now comprises one of the best farms in the township. In the early spring of 1845, Fred came to Rock County, going to the claim in order to prevent it from being taken by "jumpers". Going to the land-office at Milwaukee, he made a partial payment, and a few months later the remainder of the family came to the new home, making the journey by water from Buffalo to Milwaukee, where they purchased teams, proceeding on their way until reaching their destination. At that time only seven or eight families had located in the township and the new life on a western frontier proved a strange experience to our travelers reared in the East. The entire family, including parents and nine children, moved into a little log cabin ten feet square, which they made their home until a more suitable residence could be erected. In a short time the new dwelling, which was one of the first frame houses built in the settlement, was complete, and the occupants installed in their new home. In those days a carpenter received $5 per day, and as means were rather limited our subject was initiated into the carpenter work, having to complete the house. As there were no mills in the vicinity, the lumber had to be hauled form Milwaukee, a distance of eighty miles.
Abijah BARRETT became the leading citizen of the township, and though always refusing to accept public office himself, his advice is often sought in the selection of men to fill the various offices. In early life he was an ardent supporter of the Whig party, and a great admirer of William Henry Harrison, but when the Republican party was organized, he joined its ranks and supported it by his ballot until his death. He died in 1881, at the advanced age of eighty-one years, and the death of his wife occurred March 9, 1884. Both were members of the Baptist Church, but after their removal to Rock County, as there was no organization of that denomination, they attended the Methodist Church, giving liberally of their time and means to its support. The wife, in particular, was known for her earnest efforts to advance the cause of the church and was a devoted Christian lady. In the death of this worthy couple the county lost two of its best citizens, who were highly respected by all.
With the exception of one year spent in Kansas, our subject has passed his entire life since 1845, in Rock County, a period of forty-four years. He was united in marriage with Mrs. Harriet BUDLONG, (nee ANDREW) a native of New York, and a daughter of David and Anna (SEVER) ANDREW. To them have been born two children - Mattie A., born Dec. 23, 1862; Warren D., June 3, 1868. Mr. BARRETT has been one of the leading men of the county since the days of his settlement and has been identified with the public interest in various ways. In politics, he is a Republican, and socially, is a member of the A.F.& A.M., Union Lodge, No. 32, of Evansville. His farm, which is one of the best in the county, comprises 120 acres of land, highly cultivated and improved, and upon it may be found a fine grade of all kind of stock. He is regarded as one of the leading farmers of the township, and is a progressive, public spirited man. Since 1845, he has participated in the growth and development of the county, has seen the broad prairie land transformed into fertile farms, elegant residences have replaced the little cabins, and where once was but a few settlements on a western frontier are now the numerous dwellings of a prosperous and intelligent people. Though sharing the trials and hardships of pioneer life, he has lived to see Rock County take a foremost place in the State, and may well feel proud that he has been one of the factors in bringing about that results.
From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ, 1889 - page 270, 271