This contains a transcription of the Warren Snow Barrows of Hinsdale, NH biography from Biographical Review Volume XXIII: Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Cheshire and Hillsboro Counties, New Hampshire, Biographical Review Publishing Company, Boston, 1897.

Pages 61-62

WARREN SNOW BARROWS was highly esteemed in Hinsdale, both as a citizen and a faithful public official. Born in Westmoreland, N. H., May 9, 1824, son of Warren and Phila (Smith) Barrows, he was a descendant in the seventh generation of John Barrowe, the Pilgrim, who emigrated from Yarmouth, England, in 1673, settled in Salem, Mass., and afterward removed to Plymouth, Mass. John’s son Robert remained in Plymouth, Ebenezer settled in Cumberland, R. I., while Joshua and Benajah located in Attleboro, Mass. Benajah Barrow, who was born in 1683, and died in April, 1754, married Lydia Bucklin, of Attleboro. John Barrow, eldest son of Benajah, was born in 1708. His son, John (second), was graduated from Harvard College, and for fifty years was a teacher in Dighton, Mass. Joseph Barrow, another son of Benajah, was born in 1713. He married Bethsheba Woodward. Joseph’s son, Elijah Barrows, with whom the present form of the name began, was born in 1738. Elijah married Sarah Brown; and his son, Elijah (second), who was born in Attleboro, September 23, 1766, was the grandfather of Warren S. Barrows. Several members of the family became distinguished in professional life, among them being the Rev. E. P. Barrows, a noted professor at Oberlin Seminary; the Rev. John O. Barrows, at one time a missionary in Turkey; the late Judge William G. Barrows, Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine; and the late Hon. George B. Barrows, who at one time was the president of the Maine Senate.

Elijah Barrows (second) settled in Westmoreland, N. H., as a pioneer, and became a prosperous farmer. His death occurred January 16, 1840. He married Martha Lucas, who, born in Middletown, Conn., October 18, 1771, died January 4, 1852. Of their six children the third, Warren, born in Westmoreland, August 25, 1800, was an industrious farmer and a much respected citizen. He died July 13, 1868. His wife, Phila, became the mother of six children, of whom Warren S., the subject of this sketch, was the second born.

Warren S. Barrows acquired such education as the district-school system of his day afforded. After completing his studies he assisted for a time in carrying on the homestead farm. When he was nineteen years old his father gave him his time, and also afforded him a sum of money, with which to make a start in life. Declining the proffered assistance, he came to Hinsdale, and obtained employment at a pail manufactory, carried on by the late Almon Goodnow. After a time he became an expert in that business, and made pails that won a premium at the World’s Fair in New York City. Later he worked in Northfield, Winchester, and other places. Then he returned to Hinsdale, where he finally became proprietor of the Eagle Iron Foundry. In a few years the condition of his health forced him to give up the enterprise. Selling out, he engaged in other pursuits, and gradually acquired a good knowledge of probate court affairs and the settlement of estates. Afterward, taking up that business as his regular occupation, he followed it throughout the rest of his life. In that period he adjusted the affairs of over one hundred different estates, and upon the resignation of Judge Hardy he was tendered the office of Judge of Probate, but declined. In July, 1862, he was appointed the agent of a railroad station, a position which he held until within a month previous to his death. For many years he was the agent for the Cheshire County Mutual Fire Insurance Company. In politics he was a Democrat, and for seventeen years he rendered able and faithful service to the town as a member of the Board of Selectmen, acting in the capacity of chairman of the Board for fifteen years of that time. He was a Justice of the Peace for thirty years, and he was appointed Postmaster in 1885, a position he held at the time of his death.

In 1856 Mr. Barrows was united in marriage with Maria L. Walker. She was a daughter of Samuel Walker and a granddaughter of Captain James Walker, a Revolutionary soldier. Mrs. Barrows became the mother of two daughters; namely, Adelia M. and L. Phila. Mr. Barrows died at his home in Hinsdale, October 26, 1888. His daughter Adelia, who was his assistant in the post-office, succeeded him there, and has since held the position by successive reappointments.

The late Mr. Barrows was one of the rare examples of whole-souled, public-spirited men, in whom the community unhesitatingly places its trust. During the exciting times of the Civil War his position as chairman of the Board of Selectmen caused him to be sought in an official capacity by volunteers who were anxious to enlist; and the deep interest he manifested in their welfare, together with the many acts of friendship he displayed toward them, will be long remembered by the veterans. His acts of charity were numerous and of a nature agreeable with his generous character. His loss was keenly felt by the general community, who as a unit looked upon him as a sincere friend and an able and willing counsellor [sic].