In the death of John R. Barker,
draughtsman and artist, which occurred February 28, 1884, the
office has sustained a serious loss. Mr. Barker was born in
Philadelphia, April 19, 1824, and in early life served as passed
midshipman in the Navy. Resigning to enter upon civil pursuits,
he cultivated his taste for the arts, and in 1873, having entered
the service of the Coast Survey, was assigned to duty in making
the views required for the Coast Pilot. The graphic delineations
of the approaches to nearly every harbor on the Atlantic coast,
and the artistic sketches of prominent headlands and other features
which illustrate the volumes of that work are due to his skillful
pencil. Some of the finest of his views are those of the Hudson
River. About two years before his death, Mr. Barker took up
the art of etching, and with great success, many of the views
of harbors on the southern coast being from his own etchings.
His quickness of perception, skill in execution, and entire
devotion to his work cannot easily replaced.
Superintendant's Report, 1884 (?)
