Patrick W Barry : Short Biography

Son of Welch and Mary (O'Brien) Barry both born in Ireland, brother to Mathew Barry of Akron, Ohio and John N. Barry of Nashua, NH. Married to Mary Anne Honore Moran on 8 August 1861 in Nashua, N.H. Children: John W. James Francis, Timothy, Mathew E., Patrick A., William Henry.

Nashua Telegraph Jan 24, 1912 
Patrick Barry, one of Nashua's oldest and best known residents, died at his home, 104 Palm street, Tuesday evening after an illness of four weeks. His health, however had not been good for a number of months past. Had he lived about a week longer he would have celebrated his 75th birthday. In the death of Mr. Barry, the city loses a resident who for over half a century past, has been closely identified with the history of the city and one who has taken great pride in its growth. Patrick Barry, son of Welsh and Mary (O'Brien) Barry, was born in County Leitrim, near the town of Dunshano, Ireland, Feb 2, 1837. He was educated in the public school of his native place and came to America, August 8, 1853. He went to work as a farm hand on the old Daniel Webster place at Marshfield, Mass. and remained`there until 1858. He then went west but remained there only a year, and on his return, worked in the upholstering business in Boston with Patrick A. Collins, the late mayor of that city. In October, 1859 he came to Nashua and during the next year was employed by John M. Flanders as a carpenter. The succeeding year was spent on a farm in Hollis; then two years in the employ of the Nashua Iron & Steel company and two years in Otterson's foundry where he learned the moulder's trade. In October 1863 he was drafted into the army but for reasons which were satisfactorily explained at the time, he furnished a substitute giving for this every dollar he possessed. He worked in Hudson at chopping wood and in Wilton for the Boston & Lowell railroad, where he had a paying contract to fit wood for locomotives. In 1868 Mr. Barry returned to Nashua and during the next four years, was employed at the works of the Francestown Soapstone company. His next shift, for as will be noted Mr. Barry was a very versatile man, was to the Nashua Fire department as a driver; then to the police department where he served four years won the reputation of being one of the shrewdest and most successful criminal detectives in New England. In 1869 he formed a co-partnership with John H. Vickery, under the name of Barry & Vickery and embarked in the coal business, which the Nashua Coal & Ice company later took over. Later Mr. Barry conducted a grocery store for a number of years and was a successful investor in real estate was a director of the Nashua Building & Loan association. Much of his time in his later years was devoted to attending to his real estate. For a time he was sexton of the Immaculate Conception church. He was the first Catholic undertaker in the city and was in partnership with David Sullivan, which business he had followed up to the time of his death. He was a power in local politics and served ward 5 in the city government and two terms in the legislature. After moving into ward 8 his opportunities for political preferment were ended by the Republican majority in that ward. It was the greatest satisfaction to Mr. Barry that he lived to see his youngest son, William H. Barry, elected mayor of the city of Nashua, by the largest majority ever given a candidate for that office. He was one of the founders of the O'Donnell Memorial Building association, a charter member of Division I, A.O.H., a charter member of Court Nashua, F of A., a charter member of the Knights of Columbus, and of the John Boyle O'Reilly club. Mr. Barry was a man who appreciated the humorous side of life and contributed to the goodfellowship of Nashuans. He was ever ready to lend a helping hand in public celebrations and was as charitable as his means would allow. He was united in marriage to Annie Moran, August 8, 1861, and six children were born to the union. three sons survive, all living in Nashua, James F. Barry, Patrick A. Barry and Mayor William H. Barry. He is also survived by one brother Matthew Barry of Akron, Ohio.