Hezekiah Barker was one of the town's first settlers, arriving in 1806 shortly after Zattu Cushing. From Rhode Island, he had served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. After coming to the area, he purchased a great deal of land, including much of the original parcel where the center of the Village of Fredonia is today. He donated the land known as Barker Commons to be used forever for the betterment of the community, gave land to the town for the Fredonia Academy where Village Hall stands today, and set aside the land for his final resting place at Pioneer Cemetery. Through his business endeavors, Barker was responsible for much of the growth of the early community. He built the first gristmill in the area on Canadaway Creek, later built a sawmill near the Main Street bridge, and also built a log tavern on his property where One Park Place stands today. Along with others such as Zattu Cushing and his son-in-law Doctor Squire White, he helped guide the growing community through its early years before his death on July 5, 1834.