Levi Barber

Who was Levi Barber?

Levi Barber was a surveyor, court administrator, banker, and legislator.

Levi Barber was born in Simsbury, Connecticut, the son of David Barber and Sarah Lawrence. Levi moved to Ohio where he was a surveyor in the employ of the federal government. His name appears on early survey records in what later became Monroe County, Ohio.

On February 15, 1803 in Washington County, Ohio, Levi Barber married Elizabeth Rouse of Massachusetts. They had at least four children: David, Elizabeth, Austin and Levi, Jr.

He was appointed Washington County surveyor in November 1805 and served until July 1816. He was commissioned receiver of the United States land office in Marietta, Ohio, on April 1, 1807.

Levi Barber was elected from Washington County to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1806. He served as clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and the court of Washington County from 1809 until 1817, when he resigned to take his seat in Congress. He also served as a Justice of the Peace and performed civil marriages.

During the War of 1812, Levi Barber was an aide to Governor Return J. Meigs, Jr.