Biographies in USGenWeb Archives for Barry County

-Biography of Peter Cobb, early landowner
About 1841-1842, Peter Cobb came to Barry County, MI to buy land. He bought tract section 27 and in June 1842 moved upon it with his wife Hannah (Moyer) and family. His brother Adna came but only stayed a short time. Peter is the oldest resident that settled in Irving, MI which was named after Washington Irving. Peter was a supervisor in 1846,1857,1859,1867-68, and 1873-76, Treasurer in 1850 and 1879 and Justice of the Peace in 1846 and 1860. Peter Cobb was listed on the poll in 1848. When the North Irving Post Office was established in 1858, Peter Cobb was appointed postmaster and continued many years. He was also the class leader in the Irving Methodist Episcopal Church.

Information from the History of Eaton and Barry County sent to Laurine (Tuttle) George by Paula Walters, a genealogist in Hastings. Submitted by Laurine (Tuttle) George

-Biography of Albert Main, early pioneer
Albert Main was born in Pennsylvania in 1818, and died in Barry County March 30, 1899. He came to Michigan from Canada, Kent County Howard Twp, with his family, Wife Mary (Atkinson) and 3 daughters, Sophronia J. m.(John W. Wilson), Elzina m. (1.Joseph Racey, 2.? Kimble, and 3. Frederick Hart), and Minerva in 1851, and first lived on land he purchased from the Government, the property was in Barry County Woodland Township, then moved to Castleton Township where he resided most of his life, Albert and his wife Mary (Atkinson) Main had 6 more children all born in Barry County Michigan, Sarah m. ( William Arnold) Mary Ann m. (1.Peter Oleson, 2. Isaac Golden), Nancy m. ( 1. Edgar Haskin, 2. Wellington Talent), William Roy m. ( Addie Pittinger), Conrad m. ( Mary E.E. Hill she was always called Amelia),
Olive m. ( William Charles Hill brother to Amelia) Their home in Castleton Township still stands on Greggs Crossing Rd.
Albert is burried in Barryville Cemetery in Castleton Twp. Barry County Michigan.

Submitted By Cherl (Main) Fitzpatrick