Robert and Clara, the original homeowners, were not just another affluent couple. Robert was a two-time state senator, assistant U.S. Commissioner for Indiana, and a significant investor in natural gas—pioneering the energy landscape for both Fort Wayne, IN and Chicago, IL. Clara was an art enthusiast who played a vital role in establishing the Fort Wayne Art School and co-founding the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. Hailing originally from Muncie, IN, they moved to Fort Wayne to expand their multifaceted careers and became local luminaries.
Clara's impact is immortalized at the Art Museum, while Robert's law firm, Barrett-McNagny, continues to serve Fort Wayne to this day. The couple had one child, Bessie, whose life was tragically short-lived due to illness.