BIOGRAPHY

Born May 28, 1867

Charles was approved a substitute member June 11, 1900 of Steam Engine Co. 1, located at 555-557 Congress Street, near Congress Square.  He was appointed a Callman January 14, 1901 with Badge #5. His occupation was a sheet metal worker.  He joined the Portland Veteran Firemen’s Association in 1904.

On June 22, 1908, he was appointed Permanent Hoseman on Engine 1.  Permanent firefighters were On-duty at Portland firehouses 24 hours-a-day, with one-day-off-in-thirteen.  A daily “Supper Hour” off-duty was allowed, and they were able to go to their home in the neighborhood of the firehouse.

Because of the extended time on duty, Hoseman Barrett sent in his resignation, so he could be at home more often to care for his ill wife and his six children.  His resignation was to take effect October 1st, but he agreed to stay on duty until his replacement was to report at the Engine House on Sunday the 4th.

On Friday, October 2nd, 1908, at 7:15 PM, Engine 1 answered a still alarm at the Congress Square Hotel for a fire in the basement caused by arcing wires.  After extinguishing the fire, Engineer Perry & Hoseman Barrett went outside to check the wires.  Hoseman Barrett, age 41, was killed, when he came in contact with the swaying live wires of high voltage.  He was predeceased by a 10-year old son, James.  He was survived by his sick and invalid wife Katherine, six children, Lawrence, Kendall, Clifford, and three others.

Hoseman Barrett was laid to rest in Portland’s Forest City Cemetery in South Portland, Lot D-29, on the first street towards Fern Avenue.