Mayor/Manufacturer. Born on a Friday to War of 1812 soldier Nathaniel Barstow and his wife Sophia Chafee. He can trace his family back to 12 century. His relatives came to this country in 1635. He recieved a basic education and never went to college. He joined a stove manufacturing firm and in 1836 he became the owner. He changed the name to the Barstow Stove Company and turned it into such a large success that his products where sold all over the country, in Europe and the Pacific Islands. His stoves still turn up on auction sites. He received the Grand Medal of Merit at the 1873 Vienna World's Fair for the best stove and range. He married Eemline Mumford Eames on May 28, 1834 and would have 5 girls and 2 boys. One of his sons would run the company upon his death and the other would move to Texas and found the town of Barstow. He served as the 3rd Mayor of Providence having been overwhelmingly elected. He served one term, 1852 to 1853, and did not seek reelection citing to many business obligations. He served on the Providence Common Council and was a Rhode Island State Representative in the late 1860s and early 1870s, serving as its speaker in 1870 to 1871. He was the first President of the Providence YMCA. He also served as President of The City National Bank of Providence, The Mechanics Savings Bank, The Providence Gas Company and the Mechanics Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He was also Trustee of the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company. He was also co-owner and president of the Providence Warehouse Company from 1882 to his death. The warehouse was on the site of the present day Providence Convention Center. President Grant appointed him to the Board of Indian Commissioners and served on the board till 1880. He was the Chairman of the Board for the last 2 years. He died on a Wednesday from the effects of a stroke.