Joseph Osgood Barrett was born April 13, 1823 in Canaan, Maine. He had training in batany and forestry but he also was interested in mesmerism and inducing a trance. He experienced visions, and as a result he trained for the ministry. He served as a minister in the Universalist Church, but he also continued to practice spiritualism and was a medium for spirits. The Illinois Convention of Universalists dropped him from fellowship in 1869. He moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin around 1860. He published a newspaper in Eau Claire during the Civil War. He was not able to serve as a soldier in the war due to deafness, but he was appointed chaplain of the 8th Wisconsin regiment. He also wrote books including a book about "Old Abe" the war eagle of the… Go to person page >