Marriage license
of Manley Miller Barr and Mrs. Anna Vogt, October 16, 1922
It was probably quite
a shock to a confirmed bachelor to become a father for the first
time a few months before his 40th birthday. From stories I have
heard he had been giving advice to his brothers and sisters
on how to bring up kids. Four of the brothers and their wives
came to Elba to see their new niece. My Dad couldn't wait until
they got in the house and carried me out to their cars before
they could even get out of their cars. That's how men change
when they become Dads.
He lived in Howard
County near Elba the rest of his life and died in 1969, and
is buried at Elba, Nebraska.
I never remember
a cross word from my Dad and if I was doing something he didn't
like his reprimand was "I wouldn't to that honey."
He wouldn't walk
down the aisle with me at my wedding because he said he would
never give me away but if I was going to marry anyone he was
glad I had chosen Axel who he loved like the son he didn't have.
I honored him by
giving the Barr name for the middle name of our 3 children.
I hope my children
and 5 grandsons live their life as honestly and kindly as my
Dad did.
Manley Miller Barr,
October 25, 1884, York, Nebraska - September 9, 1968; son of
James Airth Barr* and Mary Ann Miller; Married Anna Ellen Ender
Vogt; one daughter, Betty Ann Barr Boilesen.
*Manley's grandfather
David Barr (May 10, 1807 - May 8, 1866) was born at Wishaw,
Scotland. He emigrated to Canada in 1833 and married Agnes Airth
(May 12, 1814 - January 28, 1876) in 1834. "Glen Burnie"
was the name chosen for their Renfrew, Ontario farm.
Manley's father James Airth
Barr was born on July 31, 1849 in in Horton, Renfrew County,
Ontario, Canada. He passed on April 11, 1937 in York, Nebraska.
Manley's mother Mary Ann Miller
Barr was born on March 20, 1860 in Lochwinnoch, Renfrew County,
Ontario, Canada. She passed on April 7, 1950 in York, Nebraska.
David Barr and
Agnes Airth Barr, James A. Barr's parents
In the spring of 1877 James Airth
Barr moved to York, Nebraska and bought a homestead in March.
In 1879 he returned to Renfrew and on February 16, 1880 he was
married in Renfrew to Mary Ann Miller. A note was found from
Manley's mom that had the address of David Jamieson on one side
and the explanation on the other side the David was a cousin
of James A. Barr and "was groomsman for us at Renfrew February
16, 1880.
The day after the wedding they
returned to York and settled in a sod house (20 x 20). Manley's
mother wrote in the Bible that was given to them for their wedding
"we left the next morning for Nebraska".
Manley's father,
James Airth Barr, 2nd row, 4th over
Manley's mother,
Mary Ann Miller, sitting on the floor on far right
Manley was born October 25, 1884
and was preceded in birth by 1) David Alexander Barr (May 11,
1881 - August 31, 1881), 2) James Ernest Barr (October 10, 1882
- January 25, 1954)). 3) Manley's October 25, 1884 birthday
was followed by 4) Aubrey Aaron Barr (September 16, 1886), 5)
Robert Goldwin Barr (August 2, 1888), 6) Gavan (Guy) Allen Barr
(July 29, 1890 - January 20, 1967); 7) Lindsay John Countermine
Barr (August 1, 1892); 8) William Barr (December 23, 1894 -
January 9, 1895); 9) Thomas Barr (December 23, 1894 - January
9, 1895); 10) Jessie Belle Barr (February 16, 1897 - May 18,
1974); 11) Joy Mervin Barr (August 4, 1899 - October 5, 1966);
12) Francel Airth Barr (April 24, 1902).
Manley as a baby,
York Nebraska - Durnam Photographer
Manley, Aubrey
and James, 1886 taken at Renfrew, Canada
