Hugh Franklin Barron (1827-1904)

In the varied relations of life, Major Hugh F. Barron ever commanded and deserved the good-will of those with whom he came in contact and Jackson County, Oregon knew him as one of her most valued and honored citizens. He belonged to that class of men who while promoting individual success contribute to public progress. His business interests were of an important character yet he never allowed them to monopolize his time to the exclusion of active participation in the matters of progressive citizenship. In fact his life was well spent and the sterling traits of his character gained him the high regard of those who knew him.
Born in Lee County, Virginia, August 28, 1827 , he was a son of William Nathaniel Gale and Anna (Collier) Barron, who spent their entire lives in Virginia and were members of early families of that state. Both the Barrons and the Colliers were slave holders and were quite wealthy, but at the outbreak of the Civil War freed all of their slaves. Major Barron spent his useful days on the old home plantation and the common schools afforded him his educational privileges. He was a young man of twenty-four years when in 1851 he went to California, crossing the plains with ox teams in company with his mother's brother. They remained in California, however , for but a brief period and then proceeded northward to Jackson County Oregon, where they arrived in the fall of 1851. Here Major Barron, James Russell and James Gibbs took up three claims of 160 acres each, cornering on each other, and they built a house where the properties joined. There, they conducted a hostelry known as the Mountain House and conducted a their business affairs, including the development of their land in partnership for some time. In the fall of 1853, however Mr. Gibbs was killed by an Indian. Subsequently Major Barron acquired the claims of both of his former associates and made extensive purchase of other lands until he owned over four thousand acres, becoming the owner of one of the finest farms in all Jackson County. It is situated in a beautiful little valley at the head of Hill Creek, and he also had access to the outside range for his cattle. He was for years extensively engage in the cattle business but in later years sold his cattle and handled sheep and goats. That undertaking proved very profitable and so he prospered as the years went by that he was able to leave his family in very substantial circumstances. All this did not come however without earnest and discriminating effort, and in the early days he was forced to undergo many of the hardships, privations and trials of pioneer life. There was constant danger of Indian attack and he went through two of the Indian wars that of 1851-1853 and that of 1858. He persevered, however, in the face of difficulties that would have utterly discouraged and disheartened many a man of less resolute spirit and he again and again proved his worth in matters of citizenship as well as in business connections.
Major Barron was a staunch Republican in politics but was never an aspirant office. He took a great interest in educational matters and served for several terms as a member of the school board, ever proving a loyal friend to the cause of education. In fact he stood for all that meant progress and improvement in the community and cooperated heartedly and every movement for the public good. He recognized, too, what might be what might be accomplished and as years passed his life constantly broadened in its usefulness and activity.
On the 18th of March, 1856, Major Barron was married to Miss Martha A. Walker, the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Fruit) Walker, who were natives of Kentucky. The father died in Illinois and the mother with her family crossed the plains with ox teams from Lee County , Iowa, to Oregon in 1853. She made her home with her son Minus, until the marriage of her daughter Martha A., to Major Barron, when she took up her home with them and remained with them until the time of her death in 1872. Mrs. Barron still resides on the old home place. She is a lady of many excellent traits of character and accomplishments. Unto the Major and Mrs. Barron were born for children, as follows: Alice A., the wife of G.S. Butler of Ashland, Oregon; and Edgar B., George W., and Homer W.
The home farm has been divided between the children and the sons are now cultivating the land. In addition to her own children Mrs. Baron has reared two children of a niece, Genevieve and Edmonds Roberts. The former is the wife of a Mr. Goodwin of Medford, Oregon, and the latter also resides in that place.
The death of Major Barron occurred December 4, 1904 resulting from an accident. The front wheel of the wagon in which he was riding came off and he was pitched forward, striking his head on a rock which killed him instantly. He was man of sterling character, upright and honorable and every relation, and was one of the most influential residents of his part of the state. Jackson County numbered him amoung her best-known citizens. He was seventy-seven years of age at the time of his demise and his death closed a life record that was characterized by many notable qualities. Justice, integrity, helpfulness were among his strong traits. While he prospered in business he was never one to take advantage of the necessities of another in any trade transactions and his persistency of purpose in unfaltering energy were the qualities that brought him success. He held friendship inviolable and was always loyal to those who gave him his personal regard.

The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912.
Joseph Gaston, George H Himes
Volume III,Chicago. S.J. Clarke publishing Company, 1912.

Back row L to R: Martha A. Walker Barron (wife of Hugh Franklin Barron), Mary Ann Meyer Walker (wife of JP Walker, first wife of Crittenden Fruit Walker), Sarah B.(Mrs. Albert) Rockefellow Front row L to R: John Pugh Walker, Major Hugh Franklin Barron, holding grandson Hugh Franklin Barron-(son of Homer Walker Barron), Albert Rockefellow .
abt 1904 Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon

Left to right:
Hugh Franklin "Major" Barron
Homer Walker Barron
Martha Ann Walker Barron
Alice Adeline Barron Butler (m. Gwin S. Butler)
George Washington Barron
Edgar Baker Barron