David Weston Barr, widely and favorably known in Honey Creek township as an industrious and progressive farmer, is a self made man and his life record shows what may be accomplished when determination and enterprise point out the way. He was born in this county, January 1, 1857, and is a son of William and Ann (Brunskille) Barr, the former of Irish descent and the latter of English linage. In 1818 the father sailed from his native country to Canada, settling at Quebec, and about the same time the mother crossed the Atlantic. They were then young people and their marriage was celebrated in Dubuque county, Iowa.
     In 1854 Mr. Barr had taken up his abode in Delaware county and to his new home here he brought his bride. They lived in Honey Creek township, south of the farm upon which their son, David W., now resides, and as the
years passed on they won a substantial measure of success, Mr. Barr adding to his holdings from time to time until as the result of his own labors and the assistance of his sons he was the owner of seven hundred and eighty acres of rich and valuable land at the time of his death, which occurred February 27, 1909. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1871.
     In politics he was a republican but never aspired to office. His religious faith was that of the Congregational church, and he was interested in all that pertained to the material, intellectual, political and moral progress
of the community. Both he and his wife were pioneer settlers of the county, and he lived to see remarkable changes in the fifty five years of his residence here.

     To Mr. and Mrs. William Barr were born six children, as follows: David W., of this review; Mary, the wife of C. A. Hitchcock; Laura Ann, who gave her hand in marriage to J. G. Schauns; Charles T.; and Frederick and Elizabeth, both of whom are deceased. David W. Barr supplemented his public school education, acquired in the schools of Delaware county, by a few terms study at Fayette. He early began work in the fields, assisting his father in the development and improvement of the home farm, and when twenty seven years of age started out in life on his own account, purchasing one hundred and forty acres of land adjoining the old homestead, since which time he has resided upon that property. For a considerable period he made a specialty of raising black polled cattle but is not so engaged at the present time. He now gives his attention to general farming and he has added all of the improve ments to his place, including the erection of his present fine residence and the large barns and sheds which furnish ample shelter for grain and stock. His place is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences and he utilizes the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. To his original holdings he has added from time to time until he is now the owner of five hundred and forty acres in Honey Creek township, all under cultivation.
     Mr. Barr was united in marriage to Mary Robertson, a daughter of William Robertson. She passed away in 1902 and for his second wife Mr. Barr chose Miss Prussia Butterfield, a daughter of Richard and Sarah (Andrews) Butterfield. There has been one child born of the second marriage, a daughter, Hazel A.
     Mr. Barr has taken an active interest in public affairs and he votes with the republican party. He is well known all over the county, for the Barr family has long been represented in this section of the state and its members have ever been creditable and worthy citizens. His record makes him a valued resident, for at all times he has been reliable in business, enterprising and progressive in citizenship and loyal in friendship.