A veteran in newspaper work is the Hon. Charles I. Barker of Burlington, one of the Representatives from Des Moines county. He was born in Westmoreland, New Hampshire June 4, 1826. He attended the common schools of his native town and afterwards studied at the academy of Keene, New Hampshire, and at Mount Cassar Seminary at Sandusky in the same State. At Keene he learned the printing business, and after mastering its details came west and went into business for himself at Hamilton, Ohio. In 1867 he came to Burlington, purchased the Gazette and for ten years was editor and proprietor of that paper. Since leaving the Gazette he has been engaged in various pursuits directly connected with printing. Mr. Barker has always been, a Democrat. The only elective public office he held previous to being sent to the legislature was one term as alderman in the Burlington city council. He was nominated for auditor of State by his party in 1880, but defeated in the election. In 1873 he was the delegate from the first Congressional district to the Democratic national convention at Baltimore. Mr. Barker is married and has several children.