William was born on April 26, 1839 to William Henry and Mary Jane (Shaw) Barr in Spencer, MA. During the US Civil War he served as a wagoner, teamster, and forage master in the 21st Massachusetts Infantry, Company C. Private Barr enlisted in July 1861 and served faithfully until he mustered out in October 1864. During his service he contracted malaria but survived. After the War William returned to Massachusetts and worked as a teamster and laborer, taking on odd jobs. He mar