A native of Ohio, he was drawn to California during the Gold Rush in 1852 and settled in Santa Barbara in 1869, where he established himself as the city's foremost architect and served as postmaster and for two terms as mayor.

His works include the Arlington Hotel, the second County Courthouse, and the original Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, as well as several private houses.

[1] In 1851, following the death of his parents, Barber left Cleveland to return to Nelson, where he collected his share of the family property and joined a group of friends bound for California.

His image of a gentleman-architect attracted many of the newly rich in town, and he designed structures for major local figures such as Mortimer Cook and William Welles Hollister.

In 1874 he designed the Arlington Hotel, competing with several San Francisco architects for the commission, and it became the center of Santa Barbara's social life.

[6] Several local figures attended his funeral, including members from the Daughters of Rebekah, the Starr King Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.