Barrons
Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history
of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western
Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
HON. STEPHEN E. BARRON needs
no introduction to the people of Okanogan county. In 1900 they sent him
to the state legislature and then nominated him for the United States congress,
but before election he withdrew, preferring to give his entire attention
to the promotion of the Q. S., a large property, which he controls and
manages. A more extended mention of this property will be found elsewhere
in this volume.
Stephen E. Barron was born in Hinesburgh,
Vermont, on October 2, 1850, the son Peter and Pauline (Bissonette) Barron.
The mother died when this son was about six years of age, later he went
to New York City, where he worked his way through some of the good educational
institutions of that place. After this he was associated with James Fisk
as a salesman, and did well. Then he attended the medical department of
the Pennsylvania University, and took his diploma as a Doctor of Medicine
and has practiced in several states. But Mr. Barron was more enthused over
mining and at once began to study the science carefully. Not content with
that, he at once placed himself so that he could be associated with the
industry practically. He delved in this line in Nova Scotia, and in 1869,
went to Australia. After extended research there, he returned to the United
States and has been in all the western states and territories and Alaska
and Mexico, following mining in every department. There is not a mine of
great note in the world that Mr. Barron has not either studied in person
on the ground or from extended reports of them. He has personally visited
all in the United States and many in other countries. He has made a deep
study of geology, mineralogy, metallurgy, and the science of mining in
all its departments. He is familiar with the manner of development of properties,
as well as with the management of a mine, and has thoroughly familiarized
himself with all that a man should know in mining. At the present Mr. Barron
is studying as heretofore in all lines, and is doubtless one of the best
posted men in mining in the United States. He has a fine reputation as
an expert, and is known as well as a man of stanch integrity and reliability.
In 1896 Mr. Barron came to the Okanogan country
and at once became interested in the mammoth lead now owned by the Q. S.
Mining Company. He traced the lead, found its dimensions, prospected the
same thoroughly and then interested capital in it. To show the reality
of the man and his faith in the Q. S., while in the east, Mr. Barron insured
his life in one of the large companies in favor of men who advanced the
money for the development of the Q. S. in case of his death or failure
to make the property a great mine. That is will soon be a great shipper
is evidenced when we note that the lead extends for about seven thousand
feet, and is from one hundred to three hundred feet wide. Between one and
two thousand feet of developed work has been done, and every foot of progress
shows a better property. Machinery has been installed and the property
is one of the great ones of the county. It is located midway between Conconully
and Loomis. Mr. Barron makes his home nearby, where he has a good stock
ranch well watered, to which he devotes attention together with the management
of the mine.
Mr. Barron is justly ranked with the leading
mining promoters of the state and his work shows for itself the amount
accomplished, while Okanogan county is to be congratulated that she has
secured as a resident this wide awake mining expert.
BACK