R. H. Barr is the owner of a well appointed drug store at Fontanelle and is accounted one of the leading business men of that town. Close application has been a salient feature in his growing prosperity and honorable dealing has also been an element in his success. He was born in Pottawattamie county, near Elliott, Iowa, on the 24th of September, 1883, and is therefore yet a comparatively young man, while his success is such as many a man twice his years might well envy. His parents, George R. and Rena (Westover) Barr, were married in Dixon, Illinois. The former is a native of Maine and the latter of Minnesota. Following his marriage Mr. Barr brought his bride direct to Iowa, settling in Pottawattamie County, where he had previously purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. For a long period he
successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits and in 1895 he moved to Elliott, where he engaged in merchandising, being identified therewith for three years. On the expiration of that period he sold out and bought a grist mill at Stennett, Montgomery county, operating the mill for four years. He then sold out and removed to Red Oak and a year later he was made superintendent of the Montgomery county poor farm, which he managed for four years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Red Oak and in October, 1914, he removed to Fontanelle, where he is now living retired.
His son, R. H. Barr, spent his youthful days in his parents’ home and acquired a public-school
education, which was completed by graduation from the high school of Elliott, Iowa, with the class of 1900. He then attended the pharmaceutical deparment of the Highland Park College in Des Moines and was there graduated with the class of 1905. Subsequently he made his initial step in his business career as an employee in the drug store of A. H. Miles, of Des Moines, but after two or three months he removed to Rippey, Greene county, where he was employed as a pharmacist for nine months, working for B. F. Osborn. In November, 1906, he came to Fontanelle and established himself in the drug business, buying the drug store of Miss Lula Snelson. As owner and manager of this business he has won a place in the front rank among Fontanelle’s successful and enterprising merchants. He carries a large line of drugs and druggists’ sundries and his business methods commend him to the confidence and support of the general public.
In 1907 Mr. Barr was united in marriage to Miss June Carpenter, of Rippey, Iowa, by whom he has
one child, Miriam Mildred. In his political views Mr. Barr is a republican, interested in the work of the party and doing all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. At the present time he is amember of the town council. He belongs also to the Commercial Club and is in hearty sympathy with its plans to promote the business interests of his town. He belongs to Fontanelle Lodge, No. 138, A. F. & A.M., and to Fontanelle Lodge, I. O. O. F., while he and his wife hold membership in the Congregational church, guiding their lives by its teachings and aiding generously in its support. They have many warm friends and they are cordially received in those homes where intelligence and true worth are accepted as the passports into good society.
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