George Harrison Barbour

George Harrison Barbour (June 26, 1843 – March 28, 1934) was an American businessman, industrialist, financier, and manufacturer of stoves in Detroit, Michigan. He received his initial exposure to the business world while still a young boy at his father's grocery store. He was associated with many civil society organizations and international exhibitions.

Barbour was director and president of many Michigan manufacturing firms, and a member on the board of directors of several banks, insurance firms, and other enterprises throughout the United States. He was a key executive with the Michigan Stove Company.

Early life Barbour was born in Collinsville, Connecticut, on June 26, 1843. He would attend school the first part of the day and assisted his father at the store for the remainder.

World's Largest Stove The Michigan Stove Company built the World's Largest Stove for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. While on the national board of the Chicago Fair, Barbour came up with the idea to build a giant Garland kitchen range to represent the company at the fair and passed it on to Dwyer.

Promotion to chairman of the board Barbour continued to work as the secretary and sales manager of the company until 1886 when he became vice president and general manager. He then became president of the business in 1919 and chairman of the board in 1921. Barbour executed a merger with the Detroit Stove Works in 1925 to then become the largest manufacturer of stoves in the world.

Memberships and affiliations Barbour was involved with many commercial interests in Detroit and throughout Michigan. He organized the Michigan Copper & Brass Company in 1907. They had four children: Edwin (b. 1870), Grace (b. 1874), Estella (b. 1878), and George Jr. (b. 1880). Barbour liked trout fishing and was fond of fine horses. His office was at 1022 Jefferson Avenue in Detroit and his permanent residence was at 134 Lafayette Boulevard. Barbour died on March 28, 1934, at the age of 90 at his summer residence at 9 Berkshire Place in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, near Detroit. He died of pneumonia which he contracted a week before his death.