Mansfield in Richland County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Barker Family Home
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Sarah Daisy Barker Thomas
Photographed by Craig Doda, August 29, 2026
1. The Barker Family Home Marker
The Barker Family Home.
Generations of the Barker family lived in the house that stood at 89 Wood Street from 1875 to 1973. George W. Barker (1836-1913) was born enslaved in Virginia, emancipated age 13, and settled in Mansfield by 1870. He worked as a well-known chef in downtown hotels. In December 1873, Barker married Dayton-native Harriet J. Hurley (1840-1925). The next April, he purchased a corner plot in Snyder's Subdivision for $450. Completed by 1875, his original brick house sheltered Barker, his wife, and his mother-in-law, Eliza Hurley (1815-1885). The Barker's children—Sumner (1875-1890) and Sarah Daisy (1877-1973)—were born there. The Barker family were one of Mansfield's historic Black families and members of the First Congregational Church. Their house once included a decorative wooden porch, numerous outbuildings, and served as an important community gathering place.
Sarah Daisy Barker Thomas.
"Daisy" Barker graduated from Mansfield High School (1896) and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music (1900). She taught music in Kentucky's Eckstein Norton Institute, a school dedicated to educating African Americans,
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Erected 2026 by America 250: Ohio Commission; Richland County Land Bank; Richland County Historical Society; Mansfield Historic Preservation Commission; Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 11-70.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the America 250: Ohio Commission, and the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1873.
Location. 40° 45.385′ N,
Photographed by Craig Doda, August 29, 2026
2. The Barker Family Home / Sarah Daisy Barker Thomas Marker
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sultana Tragedy (approx. half a mile away); Commander Edward Parker Wood (approx. half a mile away); Madison Township Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building (approx. half a mile away); Johnny Appleseed’s Run for Reinforcements (approx. 0.6 miles away); Mansfield Blue Star Mothers War Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Abraham Lincoln (approx. 0.6 miles away); Allen J. (A. J.) Vandayburg (approx.
Photographed by Craig Doda, August 29, 2026
3. The Barker Family Home / Sarah Daisy Barker Thomas Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, August 29, 2026
4. The Barker Family Home / Sarah Daisy Barker Thomas Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 30, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
