JAMES W. BARKLOW is a native of Union County, Ky., and was born April 3, 1841. His grandparents were natives of Maryland, and both his grandfathers were wounded at the battle of New Orleans. His parents, Leroy and Harriet (Belmire) Barklow, are natives of Union County, Ky., and are sincere and consistent members of the United Baptist Church, and have reared a family of fourteen children, of whom our subject is the eldest. James W. was reared a farmer and agriculture has been his principal occupation through life. September 25, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, First Illinois Volunteer Light Artillery, under Capt. Franklin, and served until July 15, 1865, without intermission; he is now drawing a pension for injuries received while in the service. Returning from the war he engaged in farming in Crittenden County, where he has since lived. He was married November 7, 1864, to Elizabeth Riley. She was born April 6, 1846, in Crittenden County, and has borne nine children; Julia A., Leroy L., Charles B., Laura F., Harriet E., John, Rosella, Thomas and Ritta May. Politically Mr. Barklow is an enthusiastic Republican; he is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 717-718.