Alfred L. Barker (1839 - 1912)

Born 18 Jan 1839 in Lost Creek Township, Vigo, Indiana, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Narcissa Tripp — married 18 Aug 1862 (to before 1870) in Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois, United States

Husband of Sarah Matilda (Converse) Barker — married 26 Jun 1872 in Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois, United States

Died 15 Sep 1912 at age 73 in Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois, United States

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Biography

Alfred Barker is Notable.

Second Lieutenant Alfred Barker served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: April 30, 1861
Mustered out: March 9, 1863
Side: USA
Regiment(s): 11th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Co. D; 74th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Co. A

Alfred Barker was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post 1, Rockford, Illinois.

Alfred played Major League Baseball in 1871

Alfred L.Barker played one major league baseball game in 1871 for the Rockford Forest Citys of the National Association.

Alfred was born in 1839 in Indiana. He was the son of Ira Barker and Margaret Stewart.

His family moved to Oregon, Illinois in 1848. ^[1]

In 1853 they moved to Rockford. ^[2]

Al worked as paper hanger, decorator, and store clerk in Rockford.

Civil War

Alfred enlisted with the 11th Illinois Infantry in April 1861. He mustered out in August that year. In August 1862 he re-enlisted with his brother Henry in the 74th Regiment, Illinois Infantry. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant. He mustered out in March 1863. His brother was killed a year later in the in the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. ^{[3][4][5][6][7][8]}

In 1862 he married Narcissa Tripp. ^[9]

Both were living separately by 1870 and she was going by “Tripp”. ^[10][11]

Baseball

Old Forest Cities, 1869

Alfred was one of the original members of the Rockford Forest City Baseball Club which formed in 1865. He played Left Field and was known as the best thrower and heaviest hitter. In 1871 the team joined National Association. By this time Barker was not part of the starting line up and only called upon as a substitute. He played one professional game as a starting left fielder on June 1, 1871 against the New York Mutuals. In five plate appearances he went 1-for-4 (a single) with a walk and had two runs batted in. In the field he made two putouts without an error. He later umpired 3 National League games in 1881, all as the home plate umpire.

Alfred married Sarah Converse- in 1872. ^[12]

They had no children.

They ran a ballroom dancing school in Rockford. ^[13]

He founded and was the manager the Benedict Orchestra. He played the tuba in the Forest City Band and the Rockford Military Band. He sang in several quartets the Immanuel Episcopal and the Congregational churches.

Al passed away in 1912. ^{[14][15][16][17]}

Gravestone Transcription

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M856-MQS : 19 December 2020), Alfred Barker in household of Ira Barker, Oregon, Ogle, Illinois, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
2. ↑ 1860 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d Year: 1860; Census Place: Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois; Roll: M653_240; Page: 305; Family History Library Film: 803240.
3. ↑ Illinois: Roster of Officers and Enlisted Men; GAR Dept of Illinois: Death Rolls; SUVCW

   Name: Alfred Barker

   Enlistment Age: 22

   Birth Date: 1839

   Enlistment Date: 24 Apr 1861

   Enlistment Place: Rockford, Illinois

   Enlistment Rank: Private

   Muster Date: 30 Apr 1861

   Muster Place: Illinois

   Muster Company: D

   Muster Regiment: 11th Infantry

   Muster Out Date: 30 Jul 1861

   Was Officer?: Yes

   Residence Place: Rockford, Illinois

   Last Known Residence Place: Rockford, Illinois

   Death Date: 15 Sep 1912

   Burial Place: Rockford, Winnebago Co., Illinois

   Muster 2:04 Sep 1862

   Muster 2 Place: Illinois

   Muster 2 Company: A

   Muster 2 Regiment: 74th Infantry

   Rank Change Date: 4 Sep 1862

   Rank Change Rank: 2nd Lieutenant

   Mustered: 09 Mar 1863

   Information: Resigned

4. ↑ Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls

   Name: Alfred Barker

   Rank: Private

   Company: D

   Unit: 11th Illinois Infantry

   Height: 6'

   Hair: BROWN

   Eyes: BLUE

   Complexion: LIGHT

   Marital Status: Married

   Occupation: Painter

   Birth Date: Abt 1839

   Birth Place: Ferchant, Vigo CO, IN

   Service Entry Age: 22

   Service Entry Date: 24 Apr 1861

   Service Entry Place: Rockford, IL

   Joined By Whom: GARRETT NEVINS

   Period: 3 MOS

   Muster In Date: 30 Apr 1861

   Muster In Place: Springfield, IL

   Muster Out Date: 30 Jul 1861

   Rank: 2nd Lieutenant

   Company: A

   Unit: 74th Illinois Infantry

   Service Entry Date: 5 Aug 1862

   Service Entry Place: Rockford, IL

   Joined By Whom: T J L REMINGTON

   Period: 3 YRS

   Muster In Date: 4 Sep 1862

   Muster In Place: Rockford, IL

   Remarks: RESIGNED MAR 9, 1863

5. ↑ "United States Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FSWH-MMN : 25 August 2021), Alfred Barker, 1861-1865.
6. ↑ "United States Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F9GH-D43 : 25 August 2021), Alfred Barker, 1861-1865.
7. ↑ "United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP8D-RNS4 : 3 September 2021), Alfred Barker, 9 Mar 1863; citing Military Service, NARA microfilm publication 76193916 (St. Louis: National Archives and Records Administration, 1985), various roll numbers.
8. ↑ G.A.R. Civil War Club Deaths 1879 – 1947 Barker, Alfred Pvt.& 2lt. Co. D. 11 Ill. Inf. & Co. A. 74 Ill. 9-15-1912
9. ↑ "Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK9L-FGWR : 19 February 2021), Alfred Barker and Narcissa Tripp, 18 Aug 1862; citing Winnebago, Illinois, United States, county offices, Illinois; FHL microfilm 1,914,041.
10. ↑ "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6W1-ZTH : 28 May 2021), Alfred Barker in entry for Ira Barker, 1870.
11. ↑ "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M64M-6M4 : 28 May 2021), Narcissa Tripp in entry for Tompkins Tripp, 1870.
12. ↑ "Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK9L-N2VB : 19 February 2021), Alfred Barker and Tillie Converse, 26 Jun 1872; citing Winnebago, Illinois, United States, county offices, Illinois; FHL microfilm 1,914,042.
13. ↑ "United States Census, 1900", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSCC-134 : 11 March 2022), Alfred L Barker, 1900.
14. ↑ Winnebago County Clerk, comp. Winnebago County Clerk Genealogy Records. Winnebago, IL: Winnebago County Clerk, 2008.

    Name: Alfred Barker

    Death Date: 15 Sep 1912

15. ↑ "Illinois Soldier Burial Places, 1774-1974," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVYM-TWLG : 10 September 2019), Alfred Barker, ; citing Burial, Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois, United States, Cedar Bluff Cemetery, Illinois State Archives, Springfield; FHL microfilm 1,001,183.
16. ↑ Free Image

    Name: Alfred Barker

    Residence Date: Abt 1912

    Residence Place: Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois

    Will Date: 7 Sep 1912

    Probate Date: 7 Sep 1912

    Probate Place: Winnebago, Illinois, USA

    Inferred Death Date: 1912

    Inferred Death Place: Illinois, USA

    Item Description: Probate Will Records, Vol 6-8, 1911-1919

17. ↑ Rockford Republic (Rockford, IL) 16 September 1912, page 9 GenealogyBank: accessed 3 April 2022

See also:

• Find A Grave: Memorial #52941669: accessed 03 April 2022), memorial page for Alfred L. “Al” Barker (18 Jan 1839–15 Sep 1912), citing Cedar Bluff Cemetery, Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois, USA ; Maintained by Adam Penale (contributor 47010370) .
•  Wikipedia: Al Barker
• Morris, Peter. Al Barker. Society for American Baseball.