Source: Past and Present of Bureau County, IL
Originally published 1906
Pioneer Pub. Co.
Chicago, IL
Reproduced on CD purchased from OLD GLORY ACCENTS

Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Pages 259-60

William J. Barth, who is operating a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 11, Walnut township, was born in Woodford county, Illinois, May 13, 1874, and is a son of William and Phoebe (Knapp) Barth. The father was a native of Germany, while the mother's birth occurred in Boston, Massachusetts, in October, 1853. They came to Illinois at an early day, locating at Minonk, and in their family were five children, of whom William J. is the eldest.

Under the parental roof the subject of this review spent the days of his boyhood and youth, early becoming familiar with agricultural pursuits, for he aided in the work of field and meadow. On the 27th of February, 1900, he was married to Miss Anna Uphoff, who was born March 4, 1876, and was fourth in order of birth in a family of ten children whose parents were Bartlett and Katie (Clodious) Uphoff, who were natives of Germany and came to Illinois in 1855, settling in Peoria, but now living in Minonk. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Barth have been born four children: Albert R., born January 8, 1901; Joseph T., June 3, 1902; Arthur E., September 17, 1904; and Florence, October 24, 1905. Both Mr. and Mrs. Barth held membership in the German Lutheran church and are highly esteemed socially.

In his political views Mr. Barth is a republican and keeeps well informed on the questions and issue of the day but has never  sought or desired public office. He came to Bureau county from Woodford county in 1900 and located on his father's farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 11, Walnut township, where he has since carried on general agricultural pursuits. He expects soon, however, to purchase a home of his own. Although he started out in life empty-handed he is now in very comfortable circumstances, keeping his money well invested. His prosperity is due entirely to  his earnest and persistent labor, for he has had no influential friends to assist him  nor have circumstances been peculiarly advantagous in his favor. He has been watchful of every occasion pointing  to success and through good management has acquired a large amount of personal property, displaying excellent ability as a financier in the control of his interests. He is yet a young man and the future undoubtedly holds in store for him larger success.