Farmer and brick mason; son of James Barker (1805-1871) and Sarah Williams Murray (1816-1855); 1880 Census lists sons John E., age 16 born about 1864; Guy C., age 9, born about 1871; George W., age 4, born about 1876; and Wm. P., age 1, born about 1879 (refers to Perl William Barker (1878-1970)); birth date on death certificate and grave stone inscription is November 30, 1841; birth date in Barker Genealogy, by Elizabeth Frye Barker. New York: Frye Publishing Co., 1927, page 322, is November 30, 1842, birth place is identified as Bristol, Ohio, family (wife Martha Bromley and sons John, George, Guy, and Pearl [sic]) is listed on page 350. His death certificate lists November 30, 1841, as his date of birth, his father James Barker and mother Sarah Murray; the informant was Perl Barker.
Bristol, Ohio is currently an unincorporated community in southern Pike Township, in Perry County, Ohio. Bristol, Ohio was also at one time a town that was platted in 1831, named for its location within Bristol Township in Morgan County, and no longer exists. A post office called Bristol was established in 1834 and remained in operation until 1915. Considering these historical facts, designation of Morgan County as the location of Bristol, Ohio, in 1841, where William Perl Barket and his brother Thomas Penny Barker were born is correct. William Perl Barker and his twin brother Thomas Penny Barker were each skilled fiddlers and probably self taught. Willliam's son John Ervin Barker was a professional musician.
POWESHIEK TWINS HOLD UNIQUE RECORD
Claimants for the oldest set of twins living is arousing considerable interest over the state and the fact that Poweshiek county has an entry will especially attract the local folks. Thomas and William Barker, formerly of Deep River, and uncles of our own Dick Morgan, who now live at Ponca, Neb. have reached the ripe old age of 83. They were born November 30th, 1840. Both are in good health and are able to perform their various duties without assistance. The Barker twins, years ago were noted as musicans and played violins. Many an old timer can remember stepping out gaily to the sweet music of their fiddles. Dick Morgan states that it was impossible to tell their playing apart and that they played as one.
From the above stated facts, it seems that the Barker twins have the honor.
[from Montezuma Republican June 5, 1924]
BIRTHDAY PARTY BY OLDEST TWINS
PONCA, Neb., Nov. 30--(AP)--The oldest pair of twins in northeastern Nebraska and perhaps in the state are celebrating their eighty-fourth birthday today. The twins, residents of Ponca since 1886 and 1887, are William and Thomas Barker or "Tom" and "Bill." These brothers are widowers and have lived alone for twelve years, but their house is noted for its neatness.
[Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Monday, November 30, 1925]
DEATH SEPARATES BARKER TWINS
THOUGHT TO BE OLDEST LIVING TWINS IN UNITED STATES
William Barker, 86 years old, died in Ponca Tuesday, March 6th, at the home of his twin brother, Thomas, where he had lived the last 15 years. They were born in Ohio in 1841. Surviving the deceased besides his brother, Thomas, is a son, Pearl, of Sidney. Mr. Barker has spent a great deal time in the out door life and had taken a homestead and tree claim in South Dakota in 1880. Short funeral services were held Wednesday, March 7, at the Mohr's Funeral Parlors, rev. Karriker officiating and internment made in the Ponca cemetery.
[from Nebraska Journal-Leader, Ponca, Nebraska newspaper, March 8, 1928]
WILLIAM BARKER
William Barker, twin brother of Thomas Barker of Ponca died here Tuesday morning at the age of 86 years, and it is thought his death separates the oldest twins in the United States. Mr. Barker was a widower and had lived with his brother here for 15 years. He was born in Ohio in 1841, and moved to Iowa in 1855. In 1880 the twins went, in a covered wagon, to Iroquois, S.D., where each took a homestead, and William also took a tree claim. Surviving besides his brother Thomas, is one son, Pearl [sic] of Sidney, Nebr. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from Mohrs' funeral home, Rev. C. P. Karriker officiating. Internment was made in Ponca cemetery.
[Dixon County Advocate, March 8, 1928]
Bristol, Ohio is currently an unincorporated community in southern Pike Township, in Perry County, Ohio. Bristol, Ohio was also at one time a town that was platted in 1831, named for its location within Bristol Township in Morgan County, and no longer exists. A post office called Bristol was established in 1834 and remained in operation until 1915. Considering these historical facts, designation of Morgan County as the location of Bristol, Ohio, in 1841, where William Perl Barket and his brother Thomas Penny Barker were born is correct. William Perl Barker and his twin brother Thomas Penny Barker were each skilled fiddlers and probably self taught. Willliam's son John Ervin Barker was a professional musician.
POWESHIEK TWINS HOLD UNIQUE RECORD
Claimants for the oldest set of twins living is arousing considerable interest over the state and the fact that Poweshiek county has an entry will especially attract the local folks. Thomas and William Barker, formerly of Deep River, and uncles of our own Dick Morgan, who now live at Ponca, Neb. have reached the ripe old age of 83. They were born November 30th, 1840. Both are in good health and are able to perform their various duties without assistance. The Barker twins, years ago were noted as musicans and played violins. Many an old timer can remember stepping out gaily to the sweet music of their fiddles. Dick Morgan states that it was impossible to tell their playing apart and that they played as one.
From the above stated facts, it seems that the Barker twins have the honor.
[from Montezuma Republican June 5, 1924]
BIRTHDAY PARTY BY OLDEST TWINS
PONCA, Neb., Nov. 30--(AP)--The oldest pair of twins in northeastern Nebraska and perhaps in the state are celebrating their eighty-fourth birthday today. The twins, residents of Ponca since 1886 and 1887, are William and Thomas Barker or "Tom" and "Bill." These brothers are widowers and have lived alone for twelve years, but their house is noted for its neatness.
[Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Monday, November 30, 1925]
DEATH SEPARATES BARKER TWINS
THOUGHT TO BE OLDEST LIVING TWINS IN UNITED STATES
William Barker, 86 years old, died in Ponca Tuesday, March 6th, at the home of his twin brother, Thomas, where he had lived the last 15 years. They were born in Ohio in 1841. Surviving the deceased besides his brother, Thomas, is a son, Pearl, of Sidney. Mr. Barker has spent a great deal time in the out door life and had taken a homestead and tree claim in South Dakota in 1880. Short funeral services were held Wednesday, March 7, at the Mohr's Funeral Parlors, rev. Karriker officiating and internment made in the Ponca cemetery.
[from Nebraska Journal-Leader, Ponca, Nebraska newspaper, March 8, 1928]
WILLIAM BARKER
William Barker, twin brother of Thomas Barker of Ponca died here Tuesday morning at the age of 86 years, and it is thought his death separates the oldest twins in the United States. Mr. Barker was a widower and had lived with his brother here for 15 years. He was born in Ohio in 1841, and moved to Iowa in 1855. In 1880 the twins went, in a covered wagon, to Iroquois, S.D., where each took a homestead, and William also took a tree claim. Surviving besides his brother Thomas, is one son, Pearl [sic] of Sidney, Nebr. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from Mohrs' funeral home, Rev. C. P. Karriker officiating. Internment was made in Ponca cemetery.
[Dixon County Advocate, March 8, 1928]
Farmer and brick mason; son of James Barker (1805-1871) and Sarah Williams Murray (1816-1855); 1880 Census lists sons John E., age 16 born about 1864; Guy C., age 9, born about 1871; George W., age 4, born about 1876; and Wm. P., age 1, born about 1879 (refers to Perl William Barker (1878-1970)); birth date on death certificate and grave stone inscription is November 30, 1841; birth date in Barker Genealogy, by Elizabeth Frye Barker. New York: Frye Publishing Co., 1927, page 322, is November 30, 1842, birth place is identified as Bristol, Ohio, family (wife Martha Bromley and sons John, George, Guy, and Pearl [sic]) is listed on page 350. His death certificate lists November 30, 1841, as his date of birth, his father James Barker and mother Sarah Murray; the informant was Perl Barker.
Bristol, Ohio is currently an unincorporated community in southern Pike Township, in Perry County, Ohio. Bristol, Ohio was also at one time a town that was platted in 1831, named for its location within Bristol Township in Morgan County, and no longer exists. A post office called Bristol was established in 1834 and remained in operation until 1915. Considering these historical facts, designation of Morgan County as the location of Bristol, Ohio, in 1841, where William Perl Barket and his brother Thomas Penny Barker were born is correct. William Perl Barker and his twin brother Thomas Penny Barker were each skilled fiddlers and probably self taught. Willliam's son John Ervin Barker was a professional musician.
POWESHIEK TWINS HOLD UNIQUE RECORD
Claimants for the oldest set of twins living is arousing considerable interest over the state and the fact that Poweshiek county has an entry will especially attract the local folks. Thomas and William Barker, formerly of Deep River, and uncles of our own Dick Morgan, who now live at Ponca, Neb. have reached the ripe old age of 83. They were born November 30th, 1840. Both are in good health and are able to perform their various duties without assistance. The Barker twins, years ago were noted as musicans and played violins. Many an old timer can remember stepping out gaily to the sweet music of their fiddles. Dick Morgan states that it was impossible to tell their playing apart and that they played as one.
From the above stated facts, it seems that the Barker twins have the honor.
[from Montezuma Republican June 5, 1924]
BIRTHDAY PARTY BY OLDEST TWINS
PONCA, Neb., Nov. 30--(AP)--The oldest pair of twins in northeastern Nebraska and perhaps in the state are celebrating their eighty-fourth birthday today. The twins, residents of Ponca since 1886 and 1887, are William and Thomas Barker or "Tom" and "Bill." These brothers are widowers and have lived alone for twelve years, but their house is noted for its neatness.
[Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Monday, November 30, 1925]
DEATH SEPARATES BARKER TWINS
THOUGHT TO BE OLDEST LIVING TWINS IN UNITED STATES
William Barker, 86 years old, died in Ponca Tuesday, March 6th, at the home of his twin brother, Thomas, where he had lived the last 15 years. They were born in Ohio in 1841. Surviving the deceased besides his brother, Thomas, is a son, Pearl, of Sidney. Mr. Barker has spent a great deal time in the out door life and had taken a homestead and tree claim in South Dakota in 1880. Short funeral services were held Wednesday, March 7, at the Mohr's Funeral Parlors, rev. Karriker officiating and internment made in the Ponca cemetery.
[from Nebraska Journal-Leader, Ponca, Nebraska newspaper, March 8, 1928]
WILLIAM BARKER
William Barker, twin brother of Thomas Barker of Ponca died here Tuesday morning at the age of 86 years, and it is thought his death separates the oldest twins in the United States. Mr. Barker was a widower and had lived with his brother here for 15 years. He was born in Ohio in 1841, and moved to Iowa in 1855. In 1880 the twins went, in a covered wagon, to Iroquois, S.D., where each took a homestead, and William also took a tree claim. Surviving besides his brother Thomas, is one son, Pearl [sic] of Sidney, Nebr. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from Mohrs' funeral home, Rev. C. P. Karriker officiating. Internment was made in Ponca cemetery.
[Dixon County Advocate, March 8, 1928]
Bristol, Ohio is currently an unincorporated community in southern Pike Township, in Perry County, Ohio. Bristol, Ohio was also at one time a town that was platted in 1831, named for its location within Bristol Township in Morgan County, and no longer exists. A post office called Bristol was established in 1834 and remained in operation until 1915. Considering these historical facts, designation of Morgan County as the location of Bristol, Ohio, in 1841, where William Perl Barket and his brother Thomas Penny Barker were born is correct. William Perl Barker and his twin brother Thomas Penny Barker were each skilled fiddlers and probably self taught. Willliam's son John Ervin Barker was a professional musician.
POWESHIEK TWINS HOLD UNIQUE RECORD
Claimants for the oldest set of twins living is arousing considerable interest over the state and the fact that Poweshiek county has an entry will especially attract the local folks. Thomas and William Barker, formerly of Deep River, and uncles of our own Dick Morgan, who now live at Ponca, Neb. have reached the ripe old age of 83. They were born November 30th, 1840. Both are in good health and are able to perform their various duties without assistance. The Barker twins, years ago were noted as musicans and played violins. Many an old timer can remember stepping out gaily to the sweet music of their fiddles. Dick Morgan states that it was impossible to tell their playing apart and that they played as one.
From the above stated facts, it seems that the Barker twins have the honor.
[from Montezuma Republican June 5, 1924]
BIRTHDAY PARTY BY OLDEST TWINS
PONCA, Neb., Nov. 30--(AP)--The oldest pair of twins in northeastern Nebraska and perhaps in the state are celebrating their eighty-fourth birthday today. The twins, residents of Ponca since 1886 and 1887, are William and Thomas Barker or "Tom" and "Bill." These brothers are widowers and have lived alone for twelve years, but their house is noted for its neatness.
[Lincoln (Nebraska) Star, Monday, November 30, 1925]
DEATH SEPARATES BARKER TWINS
THOUGHT TO BE OLDEST LIVING TWINS IN UNITED STATES
William Barker, 86 years old, died in Ponca Tuesday, March 6th, at the home of his twin brother, Thomas, where he had lived the last 15 years. They were born in Ohio in 1841. Surviving the deceased besides his brother, Thomas, is a son, Pearl, of Sidney. Mr. Barker has spent a great deal time in the out door life and had taken a homestead and tree claim in South Dakota in 1880. Short funeral services were held Wednesday, March 7, at the Mohr's Funeral Parlors, rev. Karriker officiating and internment made in the Ponca cemetery.
[from Nebraska Journal-Leader, Ponca, Nebraska newspaper, March 8, 1928]
WILLIAM BARKER
William Barker, twin brother of Thomas Barker of Ponca died here Tuesday morning at the age of 86 years, and it is thought his death separates the oldest twins in the United States. Mr. Barker was a widower and had lived with his brother here for 15 years. He was born in Ohio in 1841, and moved to Iowa in 1855. In 1880 the twins went, in a covered wagon, to Iroquois, S.D., where each took a homestead, and William also took a tree claim. Surviving besides his brother Thomas, is one son, Pearl [sic] of Sidney, Nebr. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from Mohrs' funeral home, Rev. C. P. Karriker officiating. Internment was made in Ponca cemetery.
[Dixon County Advocate, March 8, 1928]
Inscription
MARTHA BARKER
MAR. 31, 1845
JULY 31,1899
Wm. P. BARKER
NOV. 11, 1841
MAR. 6, 1928
Family Members
Siblings
