Ventura County
Biographies
J. A. Barker
J. A. Barker. - In traveling east of Santa Paula a mile and turning to the south a quarter of a mile, one comes upon the lovely sequestered spot, under the spreading oaks, and numerous shade and fruit trees of the owner's own planting - the cosy home of the pioneer, J. A. Barker. The house is nearly hidden from view by the endless variety of fruit and other trees that surround it. The first intimation of life on the ranch is the friendly greeting of the harmless old house dogs, which by their wag and twist seem to say, "We are glad you have come." Next, the visitor is met and taken by the hand by the pioneer himself, who, in his frank and hospitable manner, invites his guest in and makes him feel at home.
Mr. Barker was born in Louisville, Kentucky, December 3, 1833. He is a son of John Barker, a native of Kentucky, born in 1802, and a grandson of Stephen Barker, also a native of the "Blue Grass State." Both Mr. Barker's mother, nee Mary Asheroff, and her father, James Asheroff, are Kentuckians by birth. The subject of this sketch is the youngest of a family of ten children, only four of whom are now living. He was educated in Missouri and lived on a farm there until twenty years of age. In 1853 he came to the Golden State, in search of its rich treasures. For six years he mined in Nevada County, with good success, his average per day being from $7 to $14. He came out of the mines with what to him seemed satisfactory results. He makes the statement that he has seen a piece of quartz rock seventy-six pounds in weight, that contained $8,250 in gold. After leaving the mines he engaged in freighting, and received $35 per thousand for drawing lumber seventeen miles. There were very few settlers in this part of the county when Mr. Barker came here in 1869 - Mr. J. Crane, Judge Wason and Mr. George M. Richardson were here, and soon other settlers came and the work of development was pushed forward. Mr. Barker took up a Government claim of 160 acres, which he has improved, and where he has been engaged in general farming, raising corn, barley, beans, horses, cattle and hogs. Mr. Barker is only one of the many who have come here and have made for themselves and families beautiful homes in this sunny clime.
He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Lee, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Joseph Lee, who was born in Massachusetts. They have had a family of eight children, six of whom are living: James, Benton, Mary Ella, Sarah Isabel, John Wesley and Hattie. Several of the children are married and live near him. Mr. Barker's political views are Democratic. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 677 Transcribed by Sandy Neder
J. S. Barkla
J. S. Barkla came to California in 1853 and located in Ventura County in 1871. He was born in Cornwall, England, March 9, 1832. His father, John Barkla, was a mining contractor in England, and both his parents were natives of that country. Mr. Barkla was reared and educated there, and in 1849, at the age of seventeen years, came to the United States. His business, that of a copper miner and prospector in the employ of a copper mining company, took him into the States of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. The gold excitement of California brought him to this coast in 1853, where he engaged in mining for the precious metal. His operations began at Hangtown, now Placerville, where he spent six years, most of the time in tunnel mining, being very successful. In the summer of 1856 four men worked four days and cleared up fifty ounces of gold as the result of the labor, worth $925. After this he put $8,000 in one claim and worked hard for three years to get his money back again. After leaving the mines he came to Ventura County and bought forty acres of land on Main street, Santa Paula, and of this he retains five acres, on which his residence is situated, and on which is a variety of fruit trees, including oranges in bearing. Mr. Barkla also owns land in this and Los Angeles counties. During his residence in Santa Paula he has done his share toward the development of the town.
Mr. Barkla was united in marriage in Pennsylvania, April 17, 1860, to Miss Hannah Hinton, a native of England, born in 1840. When a child she came to America with her parents, and was reared in Massachusetts. They have three children living: Laura H., born in El Dorado County, March 23, 1861; Luna Jane, in the same place, August 31, 1863; Carl Benjamin, born on the Cosumnes River, El Dorado County, April 23, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Barkla are Universalists in belief. In politics his views are in harmony with Democratic principles. From 1883 until 1887 he served as Supervisor of Ventura County. He united with the I. O. O. F. in 1855.
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 412 Transcribed by Sandy Neder