Sumner Barnard 1857-1926

BARNARD, WARREN, NELSON, PATTEN, CUNNINGHAM, LAKE

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 4/2/2016 at 18:47:32

June 17, 1926 - Storm Lake Pilot Tribune - Sumner E Barnard, for over 50 years identified with various Iowa newspapers and believed to have been the oldest operative printer in active service in Iowa, met a tragic death at his home on Seneca street, when he fell down stairs Friday night, sustaining injuries from which he died at 9 o'clock Saturday evening.

Funeral services were held at Lakeside Presbyterian church Monday afternoon in charge of the Odd Fellows of the Newell Lodge of which deceased was a member. The church was well filled. Then the body was laid to rest at beautiful Lake View cemetery following the service of the Odd Fellows at the grave.

Mr Barnard had a most interesting career in the newspaper field. When some 15 years old he entered the office of the Anamosa Eureka as office boy. He later worked in the position of foreman. Ill health forced him to quit and he spent two years on a farm. But the old smell of printers ink so familiar to every newspaper employee proved too alluring and he removed to Carroll where he worked for two years on the Harold.

Sac City was next and in partnership with Byron McKean, he published the Sac Sun for two years. They sold out to Stouffer Brothers and Mr Barnard continued to work there for about 15 years.

In 1896 he came to Storm Lake and took charge of the printing office of Buena Vista college. Later he leased the Vidette from Mrs Morcombe and published it for a year. He next published the Newell Mirror and for awhile published the Alta Advertiser, being associated with the late Mrs Thatcher for a time. Four years ago he removed to Storm Lake to become foreman of the job department of The Pilot Tribune.

Mr Barnards accident came near midnight Friday night when a storm threatened and he arose to close the windows. In the darkness he missed his footing and tumbled headfirst down the stairway. His head struck the steps at the bottom with such force as to splinter the overhanging edge of two of the footboards. After a physician had been called, he was in such pain that opiate was given him and he passed away without regaining consciousness.

The obituary which was read at the funeral by Rev J.E. Holden was as follows: Sumner Ethol Barnard was born at Anamosa, Iowa in April 1857. His parents were John Harvey and Emily Barnard. He was married to Elvira M Warren April 4, 1882. Six children were born to them. Mr Barnard met with an accident in his own home and died from concussion of the brain Saturday, June 12, 1926.

He is survived by his wife, two daughters, Mrs Lulu Nelson of Lake View, and Mrs Florence Patten, of Alta; two sons: Arthur N of Mitchell, S.D. and Harvey A of Rock Valley. There are 9 grandchildren, two sisters: Mrs Gertrude Cunningham of Iowa City and Mrs W.F. Lake of Waterloo.

Mr Barnard was considered the oldest operative printer in the state of Iowa in active service and had worked on some of the more important newspapers in his time. He was at one time editor of the Storm Lake Vidette. His last work was with the Storm lake Pilot Tribune. He was during most of his life an active Christian worker in every town wherever his work and life was cast.

Among those from out of town who attended the funeral were: Mrs and Mrs Elmer Nelson and three sons, Harold, Robert and Lester of Lake View; Mr and Mrs Arthur Barnard of Mitchell, S.D.; Harvey Barnard of Rock Valley; Mr and Mrs J Allen Patten of Alta; Sumner Barnard, a grandson of Des Moines; Margaret Barnard, a niece of Norfolk, NE; W.F. Lake a brother-in-law of Waterloo; J.A. Warren, a brother of Mrs Barnard of Waterloo.