Barroll, Henry Harris, 1850-

Henry Harris Barroll was born in New Madrid, Missouri in 1850. He was educated both in New Madrid and in Jackson, Missouri, where his family resided in 1858. In 1867, he entered the United States Naval Academy. Barroll graduated from the Academy as part of the class of 1871 and began a successful military career, being promoted to commander in 1899. He voluntarily retired in this grade, from active service, under what is known as "the Act of March 3, 1899," but continued on shore-duty at the Hydrographic Office in Washington D.C.

During the Spanish American War, Barroll served on the blockades of Havana and Santiago and also in guarding the Yucatan Channel. He participated in the capture of Guantanamo and received, through Congress, two medals for conspicuous service during this war, one for services at Santiago, and one for service at Guantanamo.

On November 5, 1884, Barroll married Elizabeth Johnson Brady. Brady was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 6, 1860 as the second daughter of Matthew Brady and Mary Elizabeth (Johnson) Brady, of West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana. Together Barroll and his wife had one son, Henry Harris Barroll Jr. Elizabeth died in Palm Springs, Florida on February 6, 1886. Her son married Edwina Watson Knapp, daughter of Edwin Fitch Knapp and Helen (Cotter) Knapp of South Norwalk, Connecticut, on June 3, 1908.

On October 3, 1889, Barroll remarried to a woman named Marie Louise Hoyt. Hoyt was born in Danbury, Connecticut, as the second daughter of Thomas Granville Hoyt and Julia Elizabeth (Holt) Hoyt. Barroll and Hoyt had no children together.

From the guide to the Henry Harris Barroll Diary, 1876-1881, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)