Alameda County Biographies

JAMES B. BARBER

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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	The worth and fidelity of James B. Barber in positions of public trust is evidenced by 
the fact that since 1888 he has been continuously in public office and since 1894 has served by 
reelection as tax collector of Alameda county. He was born in Marysville, this state, November 
9, 1850, and is a son of Arthur S. and Elmira (Burton) Barber, who came to Alameda, Alameda 
county, in 1853. In that city James B. Barber was reared and educated, attending public school 
until he was fifteen years of age at which time he laid aside his books and began his business 
career, working as a clerk in his father's grocery store and continuing there until he was 
twenty years of age. Being ambitious for a broader field of activity he learned telegraphy and 
was afterward for three years and a half in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad as 
operator, proving conscientious, prompt and able in the discharge of his duties. He resigned 
this position in order to go into business for himself, turning his attention to dealing in wood 
and coal in Alameda and building up a large and profitable enterprise along this line, a liberal 
patronage being accorded him in recognition of his upright and honorable business methods and 
his earnest desire to please his patrons.
	Mr. Barber sold out his business interests at the end of three years and came to Oakland, 
accepting the appointment of deputy county tax collector, a position which he filled so ably and 
efficiently that in 1888 he was elected tax collector of Alameda county. He served two years and 
at the end of his term was elected city treasurer of Alameda, an office which he held until 1894. 
In the latter year he was again elected county tax collector, and he has served continuously since 
that time, his excellent record proving his business ability, foresight and discrimination.
	In Alameda on the 25th of December, 1878, Mr. Barber married Miss Anna M. Cook, and both 
are well known in the city where they make their home as people of genuine personal worth and many 
fine qualities of mind and character. Mr. Barber is prominent in fraternal circles, being past 
master of Oak Grove Lodge, No. 215, F. and A. M., past president of Halcyon Parlor, Native Sons of 
Alameda and past chancellor of Alameda Lodge, No. 49, K. P. He belongs also to the Order of the 
Eastern Star and is a member of the Unitarian club. His political allegiance is given to the 
republican party, and he has always been stanch in his support of its principles and policies, 
upholding them both as a private citizen and as a public official. In the city where he has resided 
since the beginning of his public career, he is well known and deservedly popular, commanding the 
respect, esteem and confidence of all with whom he is in any way associated.

Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914, p. 9