NAT. G. BARTER

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 617-619:

Nat. G. Barter

(Editor and Proprietor of the Nevada Ledger)

   Nat. G. Barter, a well known newspaper man and an editor of no mean merit, was born at Cadiz, Harrison county, O., May 5, 1839.  His father, Noah Barter, an Englishman by birth, served in the British army 11 years, and in the early part of the present century emigrated to America and settled in Harrison county, O., where he died September 22, 1850.  His wife, formerly Nancy Woods, bore him five children, of whom Nat. was the fourth child.  When three years old he removed to Steubenville, O., where, save for one year spent at Cannonsburg, Pa., he attended the public school, until, much against his inclination, he was apprenticed to the tailor’s trade.  But this was not congenial to his tastes and later he was placed in the office of the Steubenville Daily Union to learn the printer’s trade.  Eleven months afterwards he went to Wheeling, Va., worked a year in a candy factory, then returned to Steubenville and after a year passed in a job printing office he entered the office of the True American, in which he continued until 1857.  For six months he then ran as cabin boy on the steamer J. S. Pringle.  In June of that year, going to Griggsville, Pike county, Ill., he found employment in the office of the Pike county Union and subsequently with the Griggsville Independent, and remained with that paper after its removal to Pittsfield until 1858.  In 1859 he removed to Bourbon county, Kas., where his stay was brief; taking a case for a short time in the office of Paola Chief, he soon returned to Griggsville, Ill., but in the fall of 1860 again went to Kansas, where, July 22, 1861, he enlisted in Co. D, 3d regiment Kansas infantry, serving under Gen. Jim Lane against Price, Coffey and Jackson in Missouri.  In 1862 the 3d and 4th regiments of Kansas infantry were consolidated into the 10th Kansas infantry, and private Barter became a member of Co. E; the regiment was in service along the Kansas and Missouri borders and was then ordered to Humboldt, Kas., going into the Indian Nation with Gen. Blunt; returning to Missouri it took part in the campaign against Hindman, was at the battles of Newtonia, Lone Jack, Maysville, Cane Hill and Prairie Grove, and did provost duty at Rolla and St. Louis.  Returning to Kansas when Quantrell raided the State, the regiment went thence to Alton and St. Louis and finally to Leavenworth, where it was mustered out.  Mr. Barter now resumed his chosen calling first in the office of the Fort Scott Monitor for 11 months, then as foreman of the Border Sentinel, Mound City, Linn county, Kas., for two and a half years, after which he purchased the paper and continued its publication until 1874.  Returning again to Fort Scott he published for two months a weekly and tri-weekly paper, then sold out and entered the office of the State printer at Topeka, and later on assumed control of his old paper, which he managed until September, 1875.  A partnership was now formed in job printing under the firm name of Barter & Scott, but in May, 1876, Mr. Barter disposed of his interest and for three months superintended the Fort Scott Monitor.  In September, 1876, he purchased the Nevada Ledger, and since then has continued its publication with splendid success.  He has never missed a single issue, not excepting holidays, and throughout this section the Ledger is recognized as an able exponent of Republican principles.  Mr. Barter has ever taken an active part in political matters, his own preferences being Republican.  September 8, 1864, he was married to Miss Mary T., daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Harrington, of the Harding family from Rhode Island.  Three children were born of this union: Cora S., wife of H. H. Moies, of Cedar Rapids, Ia.; Bessie L., and one now deceased.  Mrs. Barter died April 8, 1882.  Jul 25, 1886, Mr. B. was again married, Miss Clara B. Morgan becoming his wife.  She was born in Macoupin county, Ill., and is an experienced and practical compositor.  The United States Biographical Dictionary, published in 1878, speaks of Mr. Barter in the following manner, which we feel justified in repeating:-- 

     *    *    *    Mr. Barter has given his life time to the business of which he is now engaged and has so mastered all the practical details of his profession as to be justly recorded an efficient and competent editor.  He is a man of integrity in his business, of fine social qualities, and enjoys the esteem and confidence of a large circle of acquaintances in the western part of the State.

[Transcribed by Becky Siple.]

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