Michael Barry, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Michael Barry
MICHAEL BARRY, a blacksmith and carriage and wagon manufacturer, is a native of County Cary, Ireland, his birth occurring December 12, 1843. He is one of eleven children, eight yet living, born to James and Mary (Fitzgerald) Barry, the father of whom is dead, but the mother is yet living in the old country. Michael Barry received only a fair education in the old country, and at the age of twenty, in October 1863, came to New York City and was there fourteen months, working at his trade, which he learned of his father in Ireland. Having friends in Indiana, he came to Valparaiso, in December 1864, and began with his brother, and has remained a citizen of Valparaiso ever since. In 1875, he and brother dissolved partnership, and Michael then opened a blacksmith and a wagon and carriage shop on his own responsibility. He has three buildings where he carries on his business - two brick rooms 22x60. He gives employment to eleven men, and by hard work and economy he has made a comfortable fortune and an excellent business. In June, 1882, he received a patent for a spring wagon of entirely new design in reference to springs and reach, which for neatness and durability is unsurpassed, and is rapidly taking a front rank amount vehicles of its kind. Mr. Barry was married in New York City, in 1863, to Miss Mary Griffin, a native of Ireland, and by her had one son, since deceased. Mr. Barry has taken an interest in the public affairs of Valparaiso, and for six years represented the 3d Ward in its Council. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church.
Source: Goodspeed, Weston A., and Charles Blanchard. 1882. Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana: Historical and Biographical, Illustrated. Chicago, Illinois: F. A. Battey & Company. 771 p.
Page(s) in Source: 233-234
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook