William H. Barrick, a prominent young
business man of Mount Olive, who well deserves a place in this work as one
of the progressive citizens of Macoupin county, is a native of Carlinville,
born October 17, 1877. He is a son of Charles F. and Martha (Wentworth)
Barrick. The father was born in Carlinville in 1839, his parents having
arrived in Macoupin county from Kentucky about 1835. He learned the
carpenter’s trade but the outbreak of the Civil war interfered with his
plans and he offered his services to his country, enlisting as a member of a
company which was recruited at Carlinville. He went to the front with his
regiment and served during the entire four years of the rebellion,
participating in a number of the great battles and in many of the important
campaigns. After receiving his honorable discharge he returned home, and
until 1881 engaged in the carpentering and building business at Carlinville.
He then came to Mount Olive and entered the lumber business with which he
was prominently identified for sixteen years. In 1897 he moved to Ramsey,
and for a year was connected with the hardware business but at the end of
that time disposed of his interests and entered the lumber business at
Carlinville. in which he was engaged during the remainder of his life. He
died in 1908 but his wife is still living and resides in Carlinville. The
business which her husband originated is now being conducted by her son
Julius. She is well known in the community and is an active member of the
Christian church. Mr. Barrick was a prominent supporter of the republican
party and although influential in its councils in Macoupin county he never
sought the honors or emoluments of public office, preferring to devote his
attention to his family and his business affairs.
Mr. Barrick, whose
name introduces this sketch, was reared under highly favorable influences
for a useful life and was educated in the Mount Olive public and high
schools, graduating from the high school in 1897. In the spring of the same
year he began the study of pharmacy in the Binney Pharmacy at Mount Olive
and in 1901 passed the examination of the state board, receiving a
certificate as pharmacist. He has since that time been manager of the Binney
Pharmacy, which was established about 1893 by Dr. Binney and A. J. Kopf.
After the death of the senior member of the firm Mr. Kopf disposed of his
interest to the Binney estate and upon the settlement of the estate the
pharmacy became the property of Mrs. Barrick. As he possesses an excellent
address and is thoroughly familiar with the business to which he has devoted
his best energies, Mr. Barrick has gained many friends and is recognized as
one of the broad and progressive men of the community. He is also identified
with other branches of business and is a member of the board of directors of
the First National Bank, manager of the Mount Olive Ice, Cold Storage & Fuel
Company, and is actively interested in the development of the oil deposits
in the vicinity of Mount Olive.
On the 20th of January, 1902, Mr.
Barrick was married to Miss Margaret Binney, a daughter of Dr. John Binney,
who was for twenty-five years a resident of Mount Olive and one of the
leading practitioners of Macoupin county. He was a native of this county,
and a son of Walter P. Binney, who was born in England and settled on a farm
in Staunton township, Macoupin county, about 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Barrick have
two children, Grace L. and Binney. Mr. Barrick is not connected with any
religious denomination, but his wife is identified with the Methodist
Episcopal church and also with the Order of the Eastern Star. He is a member
of Staunton Lodge No. 177, A. F. & A. M.; Staunton Chapter No. 227, R. A.
M.; and also of Mount Olive Camp No. 888, M. W. A. In politics he is in
hearty sympathy with the republican party and is now serving as a member of
the town council, being also president of the school board. He finds
happiness in his business and his enterprise has brought him gratifying and
honorable success; at the same time he has gained the merited confidence and
respect of his business associates and all with whom he comes in contact.
Extracted 18 Oct 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 163-164.
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