Barrett, Charles W.

Charles W. Barrett, born in New York City on May 11, 1859, was a self-made pioneer businessman who became the oldest continuous hardware merchant in Fresno, California. He descended from a historic pre-Revolutionary family, being the great-grandson of Colonel James Barrett, who commanded minute-men at the famous battle at Concord in 1775. Charles moved to California with his parents, F. A. Barrett and Agnes Berry, in 1861 and was raised in San Francisco where he attended school until age fourteen. After a year working as a bookkeeper for the California Silk Factory, he apprenticed with the pioneer plumbing firm J. and E. Snook until 1882. His background connects early American colonial history directly with the commercial growth of the Pacific Coast.

In 1882, Charles arrived in Fresno and eventually co-founded a plumbing and hardware business on J Street with the late J. D. Hicks. Incorporated in 1895 with Charles as president, Barrett and Hicks developed into the most extensive wholesale and retail hardware establishment in the city. Beyond his business success, he was a charter member of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce and an active Mason and Odd Fellow. On February 18, 1885, he married Minnie Thomas, and the couple later established a welcoming residence at 1127 S Street. His long career as a civic and commercial leader established his historical significance within the economic foundation of Fresno County.