Barker in DALLAS CO, MISSOURI mid-1800s
Robert Barker b 1859 first shows as a 1-yr old in the 1860 census living with the Milton Birch family. By 1870 he is farmed out with the Nathan Breshear family, using his true name of FRAZIER.
Robert was likely illegimate and Barker was likely the mother's name, either maiden or married.It appears she did not survive (or was "forced" to give up her baby), and Robert was taken in by the Birch family, possibly as Mrs Birch was nursing her own infant and could provide for infant Robert's needs.
Robert would stay in this area his entire life, as well as his father and other siblings who (amazingly) did not take him in.This indicates to me there was scandal prohibiting acknowledement of the child.Later, family notes admit Robert as the son of Frazier.
I am looking for any info on a Barker family who lived in the Dallas Co MO area in the mid- to late-1850s.Someone will have to give up their family secrets for this one to surface.