in Florida; Once Was Nation's Biggest Producer of Cigars -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Banker, Realty Operator,
Mr. Barlow had not been in good health since he suffered a stroke several years ago. Diabetes set in and he was confined to his bed at Daytona Beach for several weeks before his death. He was born at Davenport, Delaware county on October 26, 1853, the son of Mr. & Mrs. Martin Barlow. His father was a farmer. He studied in the Davenport public schools and after a few years on the old home farm he went to Otego, where he was employed as a salesman. |
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At one time he owned a store in Otego. He showed a keen business ability that made him a leader in his field, and caused him to become widely known, first as a commericial traveler, and eventually in cigar salesmanship. Binghamton was then a great national cigar center and in his activities at Otego, young Mr. Barlow found himself selling tobacco products of the late John J. Hull, Jr., a rising figure in the Binghamton cigar trade. After four years at Otego, Mr. Barlow came to Binghamton about 1880, and for the next three years he represented Mr. Hull on the road. Then he traveled for the late George A. Kent, a leader in Binghamton cigar manufacture, and about 1887 he entered business in partnership with the late John B. Rogers & John B. Simpson. Mr. Barlow bought out the interests, first of Mr. Simpson, and later of Mr. Rogers, and ultimately became owner of the largest cigar factory in the American field, with a record production of 30,000,000 hand-made five-cent cigars per year. It was located in the large building in Wall street, just north of the Court, now a part of the Fair Store. Mr. Barlow and his partners at one time employed 800 workers and had factories in both Binghamton and Lancaster, Pa. After eight years with this factory under his sole ownership and management, he sold the business to the American Cigar Co., about 1898. He then turned his attention to the management of large real estate interests he had acquired in various sections of the city and, as time passed, his son George H. Barlow, Jr., and his grandson, George H. Barlow III, became associated with him. Mr. Barlow owned a large winter home in Florida, and during 1905-1911 he owned and operated one of the largest tobacco plantations in the South. A great lover of horses and owner of numerous speedy harness racers he was a familiar figure about the race tracks of this region. One of his closest associates was Mr. Hannum, Homer banker immortalized in "David Harnum." A book in the Binghamton Public Library, on the life of David Hannum, tells how the old banker often came to Binghamton to talk horse and pass judgement on the Barlow stables. Mr. Barlow bought the home on Front street, one of the show places of Binghamton's early days, which formerly was owned by Mayor John Rankin, the John Lennox of "David Harnum." Mr. Barlow was president of the Binghamton Racing Association which sponsored the races at Binghamton Industrial Exposition grounds before the days of the Hughes anti-racetrack bills, and with G. Tracy Rogers and John P.E. Clark financed the erection of the grandstand that long stood there. He was often judge, starter or timer at the races here and at other tracks in this section. He was also prominent in the ice racing in Hawley street or on the Susquehanna river 30 years ago. He was a member of the board of directors of the Peoples Trust Co., later the Marine Midland Trust Co. of Binghamton, and for years was chairman of the board. He was also long a member of the board of managers of the Binghamton State hospital. He was a member of Otseningo Lodge, 435, F. and A.M., being a 32nd degree Mason, and of Binghamton Lodge, 352, B.P.O.E. He married Miss Nettie Seamans of Otego in 1878. She died in January, 1930. Besides his son and grandson, he is survived by a cousin, Edward C. Barlow of Binghamton. The body will be brought to Binghamton, and the date for the funeral will be announced later. March 26, 1935 Copy of the original news article |
