Theodore
LaBarre, a general blacksmith and wagon manufacturer, who has engaged in
business in Starrucca, Wayne county, since 1891, has led a life of
honest toil. His business interests have been so managed as to win for
him the confidence of the public, and the success that has come to him
is certainly deserved.
Mr. LaBarre was born in Hancock, Delaware Co., N. Y., December 12,
1852, a son of Jacob LaBarre, also a native of Hancock. The
grandfather, George LaBarre, was born at the Delaware Water Gap, on the
Jersey side, known now as Delaware Station; he was of French ancestry.
In 1800, at the age of twenty-two years, he settled in Hancock. He
married Miss Achsa Williams, who was born April 6, 1785, in Mt.
Pleasant, Penn., of German descent, and died March 22, 1882, at the
advanced age of nearly ninety-seven years. Jacob LaBarre married Miss
Jane Hawk, daughter of John and Julia (Thomas) Hawk, the former of whom
was born in Colchester, Delaware Co., N. Y., and was of German
parentage; he was one of the early settlers of Hancock, and in 1820
built the first hotel there, the place being now known as the Riley Reed
property. Julia (Thomas) Hawk was born in Hancock in 1801, and died in
1887.
To Jacob and Jane LaBarre were born two children, twins, Theodore,
the subject of this sketch; and Theodora, wife of Samuel N. Wheeler, of
Hancock, N. Y. The father was a carpenter by trade, was a Democrat in
politics, and in religion was liberal. He died at the age of
sixty-seven years, and his wife, who was a true Christian woman,
departed this life in October, 1893, aged seventy-four years. Both were
widely and favorably known throughout their community.
In the common schools Theodore LaBarre obtained a good practical
education, and he received his business training upon the home farm.
Since 1881 he has been a resident of Starrucca borough, Wayne Co., Penn.
Besides his business he owns a good farm of fifty acres in the borough,
which is known as "Morning Side." Naturally it is a beautiful place,
and it has been materially improved by our subject, who has erected good
buildings and placed the land under excellent cultivation. He has a
pleasant residence, and is surrounded by all the comforts which go to
make life worth living.
In Mt. Pleasant township, Wayne county, Mr. LaBarre was married,
December 18, 1879, to Miss Keziah Spencer, a lady of education and
refinement, who was for a time a popular and successful teacher. Her
father, Ezra Spencer, died at his home in Mt. Pleasant October 23, 1899,
at the advanced age of ninety-two years, eleven months, six days. He
had been a resident of Mt. Pleasant for eighty-three years, and was
highly respected by all, a man of unblemished Christian character, a
consistent Christian, and a member of the Episcopal Church. He was a
Democrat in politics. He married Mary B. Moore, who was born in New
Jersey, daughter of James Moore, of Preston, and died in 1858. The
following children constituted their family: James M.; Eliza, deceased
wife of James Partridge; Juliette, deceased wife of William Kerr; Norman
E., who was a soldier in the Civil war, and died in Starrucca in 1884;
Adaline, deceased wife of H. L. Butler; Clark E.; Keziah, Mrs. LaBarre;
Kate, wife of Mathew Clemo; Olive, wife of James Watson; Hetty, deceased
wife of Frank Clough.
Mr. and Mrs. LaBarre have two children: Jay E., born February 16,
1883; and Norman E., born November 23, 1884. The parents are both
consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. LaBarre
holds membership with the Knights of Honor. His political support is
given to the Democratic party, and his influence is always extended to
those measures which he believes best calculated to advance the public
welfare and promote general prosperity.
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