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Mr. Baron was born in
Elora, Ontario on October 27, 1850.
One of the first homesteaders in the region, Barron walked to the
Carberry region in1878 with George “Laird” Hope and filed for a
homestead. John, a single man at the time, later married Ellen Hope (a
daughter of George Hope). They raised four sons and four daughters.
Mr. Baron quickly became a community leader. In 1879 Barron was
appointed the first postmaster on the plains. In the summers of
1879 and 1880, Presbyterian services were held in his home.
He served as Councillor and as Reeve of the Municipality.
THE CATTLE INDUSTRY
It was as an agriculturist that J. G. Barron has left his legacy. In
1882 he began what was to be recognized as one of the best Shorthorn
herds in Canada. In 1897 he swept the field at the Industrial
Exhibition in Winnipeg.
Both the Manitoba and the Canadian Shorthorn Breeders' Associations
recognized the tremendous contribution Mr. Barron had made to the
breed, and held two banquets in his honor.
Baron’s prize-winning shorthorns – 1920
Community Leadership
Aside from his achievements in farming, Mr. Barron continued throughout
his life to be an active member of the community. He gave the land on
which the Fairview Schools were built. In 1905 he was made
Honorary President of the Agricultural Society. In 1908 he was on
the committee in charge of finances for the new town hall.
He died on Feb. 12, 1926 and was posthumously inducted into the
Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame.
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