Barber, Earle William

BARBER, Earle William (1855-1915) was active in Winnipeg where he was a partner with the important Winnipeg architect Charles A. Barber (see list of works under Barber & Barber). Born in Athens, Ont., Earle W. arrived in Winnipeg before 1880 and was employed by his older brother at a draftsman for two years. In 1882 they formed a partnership; their office quickly became the largest and busiest architectural practice in Winnipeg during the building boom there in 1882-84. After their business declined dramatically in 1885-86, the brothers left Canada in late 1887 to establish two new offices called Barber & Barber, one in Duluth, Minnesota (operated by Charles A.) and the other in Superior, Wisconsin (operated by Earle W.). Although Charles later returned to Winnipeg to resume his career in 1893, Earle chose to remain in Superior for the remainder of his career. In 1904 he won the competition for the U.S. Court House & Custom House, Tower Avenue, SUPERIOR, WISC., 1904-06 (Catalogue of the Annual Exhibit of the Washington Architectural Club, Corcoran Gallery, 1904, 83-4, illus., item 291-92). His other major works in Superior include Central High School (1914), the Y.M.C.A., and the Hammond Avenue Presbyterian Church. Barber died in Superior on 27 November 1915 and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery there (obit. & port. Superior Telegram, 29 Nov. 1915, 3; inf. Paul Gaboriault, Superior, Wisc.). His son Gordon, who had been associated with his father, continued the practice.