Manville Barber

 

Manville Barber, a prominent rancher residing in Sacramento, has had a life which forcibly illustrates what may be accomplished by definite aim and concentrated energy. He was born on the 3d of June, 1829, in St. Lawrence County, in the northern part of the State of New York. He was the eldest son of Otis and Laura (Welsh) Barber, both natives of the Empire State, and engaged in farm life. During his childhood his parent removed to Avon, Lorain County, Ohio, near Lake Erie and not far from Oberlin; but, although living almost within the shadow of the famous college at that place, young Barber could not avail himself of its advantages, as he was obliged to labor upon his father’s farm except during the winter months, when he attended the district school, at a considerable distance from home. At the age of nineteen he had an idea of becoming a ship-builder; but as the prospect in that direction did not brighten up, he went to Sheffield, Ohio, to learn the trade of carpenter and joiner, and then to Wellington, same State, where he learned the trade of carriage-builder and became proficient. Next he was clerk in a mercantile house, and then had charge of the Wadsworth House for a season. This was the finest hotel in Wellington. While there, and while yet but twenty-two years of age, he fell in with a party of railroad surveyors who were on their way to Tehuantepec, Mexico. Thus, in a company of strangers, he ventured to a strange land. Going to New Orleans by rail, and to Vera Cruz by ship across the Gulf, he began work in the new position; but six months of that kind of life satisfied him, and in the spring of 1852 he returned home. The spirit of adventure, however, still fired his blood, and in January, 1853, he again turned his face westward, the land of gold and sunshine being this time the objective point. Coming by way of the Nicaragua route, he was one of the 400 passengers who were wrecked on the steamer Independence on the island of San Margarita, February 16, 1853, when 200 lives were lost. Here were apparent the advantages of the skill he had obtained in early life on the banks of a great inland sea; for he was an expert swimmer, and this ability alone saved his life. Forced by the devouring flames to trust himself to the deep, he was tossed by wind and wave and suffered almost incredible hardships until he at length reached the shore. What then? San Margarita is a barren island off the coast of Lower California, a mere rock, uninhabited and desolate. Here for three days, without shelter or food and almost without hope, were huddled together 200 human beings! Fortunately they were able to attract the attention of those on board a fleet of small whale-ships, and they came to the rescue. One of these vessels, containing the subject of this article, four weeks later reached San Francisco, and with $100 in his belt, the savings of many hard day’s toil, Mr. Barber stepped ashore upon the land of promise. To see this strange world, and to obtain a fortune in its gold-fields, was his dream but alas!  which so few realize, yet which happily came to him, “after many days.” Coming to Sacramento the starting-point for all gold-seekers in this State at that early day, he went successively to Folsom, Mormon Island, Auburn, Red Dog and Marysville. “Dead broke,” he returned to Sacramento and became a dishwasher at one of the hotels, and next at Mineral Point for an old man named Harvey, and then at the Dawson House on Fourth street, where the St. George building now stands. Soon after this he obtained employment from Rippon & Hill, wagon-makers on J street, at $75 a month.  A bone felon, which developed at this time, compelled him to give up this position, and, as soon as he was able, he began teaming for George Elder, who was engaged in the “China trade,” that is, hauling Chinese laborers to and from the mines. He soon saw there was money in this, and in 1854-55 he started in for himself and continued it for four years.  In 1859 he made a visit to the East, returning in the summer of 1861 with a drove of houses, which he had purchased in Ohio, and which were driven across the plains and sold here in Sacramento at a profit. It had long been his desire to become a merchant, and in the fall of 1862 an opportunity offered, and he went to Woodland, Yolo county, and entered into partnership with F. S. Freeman, who has since become noted as a buyer of wheat and as a prominent business man. After four years operations in Woodland, Mr. Barber returned to Sacramento, and , in connection with John Real, bought the Phoenix Mill, and for six years had charge of the same. In 1884 he purchased the Capay Valley ranch of 1,500 acres in Yolo County, and afterward other ranch property adjacent to the town of Williams in Colusa County; and in 1888 he purchased the River ranch in Yolo county, nine miles from this city, where he is now engaged in raising alfalfa and fine stock. His home on H street, which he built in 1873, combines the comforts and elegance which affluence alone can give; and here, in the autumn of his days, he is able to enjoy the material results of a well-spent life. In his political principles, Mr. Barber is an outspoken Republican, and has twice been honored by his party with a nomination for County Treasurer. He is a veteran Odd Fellow, being a member of Sacramento Lodge, No. 2, and also a member of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry. He was married September 3, 1863, to Mrs. Julia A., daughter of Peter Gallup, a native of Connecticut. By her previous marriage she had one daughter, Ella A., who is now the wife of A. G.  Folger,  of Sacramento. Mr. Barber has one daughter, Laura R., now the wife of Frank Hickman, of this city.