Josiah G. Barker, son of Josiah Barker (6), was born at Exeter,New Hampshire. August 24, 1821, and died at Worcester,Massachusetts, May 9, 1902, aged eighty years, eight months,fifteen days. He was educated in the public schools of Exeter,and spent his early life there. In 1856 he removed to Worcester.He was a carriage builder, having served an apprenticeship ofseven years at his trade, which he followed in Exeter. Hestarted in business on his own account in Worcester. He was anexpert and conscientious craftsman, having the reputation of notbeing able to turn out a bad job. The best trade of the cityfell to his lot. His place of business was for most of the timeon Union street, where the building of the Baker Box Company isnow. At that time this section, which is now crowded withmanufacturing plants, was largely marsh land. He was associatedfor many years with Henry C. Fish, of Worcester, and was inactive business until about 1892, when he retired on account ofill health. He was a total abstainer, and advocated temperance when thedrinking habits of the people were different and the teetotaler a rarity.He joined the fire engine company in Exeter, known in thatvicinity as the "Stiff Dickey" company, all the members of whichwere total abstainers, and the nickname was intended as a slur.When he came to Worcester he left the fire department, decliningto join any Worcester company. Mr. Barker enlisted in theTwenty-second unattached artillery company, afterward Company F,of the Fourth Regiment Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, in thecivil war, and was mustered out after eleven months service byreason of the close of the war. During the service his healthwas undermined, and he never entirely recovered from the injuryto his constitution. He became a member of the MethodistEpiscopal Church in Exeter, New Hampshire, in 1842. During theanti-slavery agitation, having strong convictions on thissubject, and deeming the attitude of his church too favorabletoward slavery, he withdrew with many others and joined theWesleyan branch of the Methodist denomination about five yearsbefore coming to Worcester. In Worcester he was first a memberof Laurel Street Methodist Episcopal Church. He was later amember of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church of Worcester, whenthe Congregation worshipped in the old building on Park street,and was a member of the official board when the present churchbuilding on Main street was erected. He maintained hismembership and interest until his death. In politics Mr. Barkerwas always an ardent Republican, and he preached and practicedloyalty to that party. He never lost but one opportunity to votefor president after he came of age. That was due to a change ofresidence when he came to Worcester. He was a man of strongopinions and high principles, of business ability and integrity,thoroughly respected by his townsmen and beloved by his friends.He married first, December 4, 1842, Betsey Kent, born December24, 1817, daughter of Moses and Polly (Rowland or Roland) Kent.She came of good old New England stock, though she was born overthe line, at Hatley, Canada, Province of Quebec, whither herparents moved from Vermont. Her grandfather was a soldier in theQuebec Expedition under Benedict Arnold. Mr. and Mrs. Barkercelebrated their Golden Wedding, December 4, 1892, in thepresence of a large party of friends and relatives. She was amember of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, having affiliatedwith that denomination in 1838. She died, after a long illness,August