Background
Barker, James Madison was born on March 13, 1886 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Charles T. and Emma J. (Burke) Barker.
Barker, James Madison was born on March 13, 1886 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Charles T. and Emma J. (Burke) Barker.
Bachelor of Science, Massachusetts Institute Technology, 1907. Doctor of Science, Middlebury College, 1939. Doctor of Laws, Westminister College, 1964.
Assistant, Massachusetts Institute Technology, 1907-1909. Draftsman, designer American Bridge Company, 1909-1910. Engineer Canadian Pacific Railway, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and Bureau Engineering Statistics, New York, 1910-1912.
With Electronic Arts Tucker Company, Boston, 1912-1913.
Instructor Harvard, 1914-1915. Instructor, assistant professor structural engineering, consultant structural engineer Massachusetts Institute Technology, 1914-1919.
Construction engineering Division Construction and Repair Department Navy, 1918. With 1st National Bank, Boston, 1919-1920, manager, Buenos Aires, Argentina, branch, 1920-1928.
With Sears, Roebuck & Company, from 1928, successively regional manager, Philadelphia, eastern vice president, retail administrator vice president, vice-president and treasurer, vice president, treasurer, controller, director, 1930-1968, named honorary director, 1968.
Director Allstate Insurance Company, 1935-1968, chairman finance committee, 1956-1960, Chairman of the Board, 1943-1960, subsequently honorary director, director Harris Trust & Savings Bank, Chicago, 1939-1956.
Member Price Adjustment Board, Chicago Ordnance District, War Department, 1942-1947. Member reorganization committee C.M.S.P. & P. Railway Company, 1945-1946, voting trustee, 1946-1950. Member Real Property Task Force Hoover Commision on Organisation Executive Branch Government Engineering library Massachusetts Institute Technology named for him, 1970.
Clubs: Chicago, University, Commercial, Wayfarers (Chicago).
Married Margaret Clark Rankin, April 13, 1914. Children: Robert Rankin, Hugh, Cecily Helen (Mistress R.W. Finley), Ralph.