Bio: Tarr, David D. (Commemorative Bio - 1895)

Poster: Crystal Wendt

David D. Tarr

David D. Tarr, a representative of one of the honored New England families who for generations have made their home in Maine, was born in Salem, that State, in May, 1839. His father, Mark P. Tarr, also a native of Maine, married Sophrona P. Merchant, who was born in Massachusetts, and they became the parents of three children - Hiram F., Mary E. and David D. The father, who was a farmer and lumberman, died in the Pine Tree State in 1889, where his wife had passed away two years previously. The paternal grandfather, John Tarr, lived all life in Maine, and by his marriage became the father of eight children-John, Abraham, William, Rufus, Abigial, May, Harriet and Mark P.

David D. Tarr, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the high school, and remained at home until he had attained his majority. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company C., Second Maine V. I., becoming corpora, serving three months, during which time he participated in the first battle of Bull Run. At the end of that time he re-enlisted for two years, remaining in the service until the spring of 1863, as a member of the Army of the Potomac. He was in the siege of Yorktown and Hanover Court House, and in the Chickahominy Swamps he was taken sick, on which account he was sent to the hospital at York, Penn., from which in time he was discharged, but after returning home he did not recover his health for one over a year. For a time, Mr. Tarr was employed in a mill, after which he made a trip to Omaha, Neb., for his health, and in 1868, went to Minneapolis, Minn., where for a year he clerked in a hotel. At the end of that time he went to Big Rapids, Mich., being in the employ of O. P. Pillsbury & Co., remaining there ten years, serving in different capacities, including the positions of scaler, foreman and, later, as superintendent of their upper river branch. He also engaged in general merchandising in Stanwood and Hersey, Mich., and on selling out that business returned to Maine, where he remained one year. In May, 1884, he came to Wisconsin, in the employ of the Merrill Boom Company, which belonged to the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company. O. P. Pillsbury sent for Mr. Tarr to come to Merrill and accept the position of superintendent of Merrill Boon, in which capacity he still continues to serve, being held in the highest regard by his employers. This company employs about eighty men, and handles as high as one hundred forty million feet of lumber of Merrill, and one hundred million for parties down the river.

On September 16, 1880, Mr. Tarr wedded Sarah Jane Palmer, who was born in Nobleboro, Maine, October 10, 1845, and is a daughter of Elisha R. and Sarah (Dunbar) Palmer, who had eight children – Halsey H., Arlinda R., Bertha A., Orlando A., Gulinglus C., Sarah J., Byron W., and Sanford K. The parents were natives of Maine, where the father was employed as shipbuilder and carpenter until his death, which occurred November 10, 1868; the mother now makes her home with Mr. Tarr. She is of Scotch lineage, being a direct descendant of Earl George Dunbar, who on suspicion, his estates being confiscated to the Crown. The Dunbar family occupies a conspicuous place all through Scottish history. To Mr. and Mrs. Tarr were born, June 18, 1882, twins: Arthur Jay and Alta May. Our subject takes a warm interest in public affairs, and uniformly casts his vote with the Republican Party. For three years he served as postmaster at Stanwood. Socially he is identified with several civic societies, belonging to the F. & A. M., in which he is a Knight Templar, and the Grand Army of the Potomac. He is frank and open in the expression of his opinions, and has the confidence and respect of all.

---Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the Upper Wisconsin Counties of Waupaca, Portage, Wood, Marathon, Lincoln, Oneida, Vilas, Langlade and Shawano. publ. 1895 by J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago 1110 pages, illustrated; Page 176-177