JOSEPH G. BARKLEY, deceased,, was born in Mercer County , Penn., May 1. 1804, and was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. His parents removed to Clermont Couuty, Ohio, in 1810, where Joseph grew to mature years, residing there until coming to Edgar County, Ill., in 1830.
He attended school but six months in his life, and that before reaching the age of ten years. His education, however, was much above an average for his day, but almost wholly acquired by the fireside of his home. He thereby obtained sufficient education to enable him to teach school, which he followed in 1831 in Edgar County.
In 1832, he enlisted in the Black Hawk war, serving in the ranks three months. A few years later he was appointed agent for the Commission of Internal Improvements, and in 1838 was Assistant Engineer on the construction of the "Old St. Louis trail," the great ante-thoroughfare between St. Louis and Cincinnati.
In 1839, Mr. Barkley removed to Wayne county, where he engaged in merchandising, both on his own account and in partnership with Hon. 0. B. Ficklin.
He was appointed by Judge Justin Harlan in 1839 to the position of Circuit Clerk of Wayne County; this appointment was renewed by Judge Wilson in 1841. He was then elected by the people to the same office, which he acceptably filled by the suffrage of the people until 1856. He also served the county as County Clerk, and later in life as Master in Chancery and Police Magistrate.
He was married, April 25, 1841, to Eliza A. Wright, a daughter of David Wright Sr., a pioneer merchant and miller of Wayne County. Five children was the result of this union--
Mr. Barkley died December 19, 1874. He was a quiet, modest, unassuming man, whose correct business habits and unquestioned integrity made him the confidant and the business adviser of many of his fellows. He was a faithful man in all the relations of life, and the memory of his noble life is cherished by hundreds of the pioneers of Wayne County.
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