Henry Rodman Barker

Henry Rodman Barker
Henry Rodman Barker
Born	Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age; Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Died	March 17, 1901 (aged 59); Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Politician, banker
Years active	1873–1891
Known for	15th mayor of Providence, Rhode Island

Henry Rodman Barker (September 15, 1841 – March 17, 1901) served as the 15th mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, holding office from 1889 until 1891.

Personal life

Henry Augustus Rodman Barker was born in Providence, Rhode Island to parents William Cornell Barker and Sarah A. Jencks. He completed his education at Providence public schools in 1859. The following year, he commenced his career with the Providence Mutual Fire Insurance Company. During the American Civil War, Barker enlisted as a sergeant in Company I of the Tenth Rhode Island Regiment before resuming his work in insurance. He maintained involvement with the Grand Army of the Republic after his military service.

Barker occupied executive positions at various financial organizations, such as Samuel P. Colt's Industrial Trust Company, Rhode Island Investment Company, Old Colony Cooperative Bank, Roger Williams Savings Fund and Loan Association, and Boston Investment Company.

In 1862, he became affiliated with the Masons and was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church. He married Annie C. Tripp from New Bedford in October 1864, and together they had two children.

His life concluded unexpectedly at his Providence residence on March 17, 1901, reportedly due to heart failure. Barker was laid to rest at Swan Point Cemetery.

City council

From 1873 through 1880, Barker dedicated seven years to serving on the city council. During this tenure, he was a strong proponent of Mayor Doyle’s initiatives aimed at modernizing Providence’s infrastructure by implementing essential utilities such as water supply systems, sewage networks, updated educational facilities, and improved municipal services.

Mayor

As mayor, Barker championed municipal financing for the public library, facilitating its transition from private to public administration. His administration also focused on enhancing the city’s sewage infrastructure and upgrading the railroad terminal, thereby supporting Providence’s urban growth.

Notes

a.Some references incorrectly list Barker’s year of death; however, both his obituary published in the Providence Daily Journal on March 18, 1901, and his gravestone confirm his passing on March 17, 1901.

External links

Henry Rodman Barker at Providence City website