Colson, Barney R.

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Businessman.

Barney Ralph Colson was born on April 24, 1879 in Trenton, Florida. He attended Alachua County public schools, the South Florida Military Institute (Bartow), and the University of Florida. In 1901, he joined the Alachua County Abstract Company, later buying it and becoming president. He was a leader in education as the chairman of the Alachua County School Board, as well as a prominent member of the Gainesville Rotary Club, Phi Kappa Phi, the Blue Key Society, and the University Club.

Colson was a friend of Governors William S. Jennings and Napoleon B. Broward, and a prominent lobbyist for the University of Florida, instrumental in bringing the campus to Gainesville instead of the rival site of Lake City. He was married to Miss Eddie Sue Bowers of Tennessee, and they had the following children: Eddie C., Nell, Frances Melvina, Martha Dallas, and Barney R. Jr. Colson died in 1939.

From the description of Colson family papers, 1897-1920. (University of Florida). WorldCat record id: 48886595

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Alachua County Abstract Company (Gainesville, Fla.). Records, 1874-1930. University of Florida
referencedIn Alachua County Abstract Company Records, 1874-1930 Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida
creatorOf Colson, Barney R. Colson family papers, 1897-1920. University of Florida
referencedIn Alachua County Abstract Company (Gainesville, Fla.). Records, 1874-1930. University of Florida
referencedIn Alachua County Abstract Company Records, 1874-1930 Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Alachua County Abstract Company (Gainesville, Fla.) corporateBody
associatedWith Broward, Napoleon Bonaparte, 1857-1910. person
associatedWith Fletcher, Duncan Upshaw, 1859-1936. person
associatedWith Jennings, William Sherman, 1863-1920. person
associatedWith South Florida Military College corporateBody
associatedWith University of Florida corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
Florida
Alachua--12001
Subject
Occupation
Activity

Person

Active 1897

Active 1920

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SNAC ID: 16803638