William Harrison Barber was born in North Whitehall Township July 29, 1843, his parents being Thomas and Mary Romig Barber. His father was a millwright by profession, of more than local reputation as a craftsman of superior talent. In 1844 he moved to Illinois, called there to fill a contract for building a large mill for parties in Philadelphia, on which trip his son accompanied him. There the lad remained until ten years of age, when he returned to Allentown, and enjoyed the advantage of superior instruction. Before returning from the West he had been deprived by death of the counsel and affection of a mother, a loss which he deeply realized. After leaving school he again returned to Illinois, almost a child in years. This was an undertaking of no small daring, manifesting a spirit of enterprise and determination rare in one of such tender years. Soon after the spirit of adventure, deeply rooted in his nature, tempted him to seek something more exciting in life, and hearing glowing descriptions of hidden fortunes in the neighborhood of Pike's Peak, he started for that new-found Eldorado, in company with several other young spirits. He was then fourteen years of age, a tender age, indeed, in which to venture so far into almost unexplored regions without guide or counsel. He reached the limits of Nebraska Territory, when some disagreement among himself and companions took place and he left them . Companionless and almost moneyless, be engaged to labor on a farm or ranch in that isolated district, where he remained for about two months, when, tiring of the dull monotony of such a practical life, he managed by various expedients to get back to Illinois, making Genesee his headquarters. His family and friends, fearing the consequences of this roving disposition, persuaded him to return to Pennsylvania. He at once agreed, and started for the old Keystone State, at least in appearance, but with the mental reservation in the promise to do as lie pleased. He, however, came to Allentown, having grown so much in his absence as to pass beyond the recognition of his friends. After a brief interval in the foundry owned by his father he engaged in teaching at Slatington, and continued thus employed until 1860, when an effort was made to enlist in the United States marine service. His youth proving an obstacle to a naval career, he repaired to Camden, N. J., and secured employment in a machine-shop, where, young and inexperienced as he was, he commanded full wages as a journeyman.

After another fruitless effort to enter the United States service during the late war, he removed to Allentown, and was elected teacher of the public schools in the Sixth Ward. He taught for eight months, studying himself in the mean time. He then entered the office of the late K J. Moore, Esq., counselor, as a student, and read law' while teaching. In 1862, still full of the fire of patriotism and adventure, he enlisted, though under eighteen years of age. He passed muster at Camp Curtin, and was detailed as clerk of recruiting service of Pennsylvania, under Maj. Dodge. He then went with a squad of recruits for the Forty-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers to South Carolina, commanded by Col. T. H. Good. There he was detailed as clerk of military commissions for that State.

Having entered the regiment enlisted in originally, he was sent with it to garrison Fort Taylor, Key West, and the Dry Tortugas. He was afterwards detailed as senior clerk of the commissary and quartermaster department. This was an important and responsible position, as more than a million and a half dollars were there invested in military stores. He remained about fifteen months, when the regiments were brigaded, and he was ordered to accompany Gen. Banks on his Red River expedition, as a member of Gen. MeMillen's staff. He took part in the battles of Sabine Cross Roads, Pleasant Hill, and the various skirmishes on the route. At the close of this campaign the regiment was brought North and placed in Sheridan's army. He was under fire at Cedar Creek, and one of the eager watchers of Sheridan's famous ride. He remained brigadier's clerk until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged, after serving for two years and eleven months.

Mr. Barber then returned to Allentown, and applied to his lather for employment in the shop. At this time the factory numbered but sixteen men on its labor roll, and its business was entirely local. His father, then at the head of it, was largely interested in blast- furnaces, and tired of the management of the shop. Harry at once conceived the idea of enlarging the works and extending the business. This was effected, and orders multiplied, until it required eighty-five to ninety men to do the work. During the panic Mr. Barber found it necessary to find additional fields for their products. He became acquainted with A. N. Wolf, Esq., the inventor of the turbine water-wheel, still made by the firm. Considering the invention a good one, he secured the right to manufacture them on royalty, advertised extensively with mill machinery, etc., and succeeded in building up an excellent trade. By this time he owned one-fourth of the establishment. In 1879, his father having died, he purchased the works from the heirs, with the patent-rights of the turbine-wheels from Mr. Wolf, and became sole proprietor. He also invented a bark-mill, and with these two specialties renewed and redoubled his efforts, and built up a trade which now extends to every State in the Union, as well as Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Brazil, England, and Germany.

Mr. Barber was at all times identified with the Republican Party, though latterly he took a less active part in politics. He was heartily interested in all that pertained to the improvement and prosperity of Allentown, few men of his age having contributed more to the city's welfare.

He was married Dec. 28, 1868, to Anne L., daughter of Archibald and Amanda Wilson, of Baltimore, Md. Their children are Thomas Wilson, George Romig, Laura Amanda (deceased), Anna Louisa, Robert Archibald, and William Harrison, Jr. The death of Mr. Barber occurred July 18, 1883, in his fortieth year.