Lewis Barnes 1850-1911

BARNES, LEHMANN, DEFOREST, BROWNING, BINGHAM

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/17/2018 at 13:05:12

2 March 1911 - West Branch Times

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Mrs. S. C. Gruwell sends us the following clipping from the Biloxi Herald in regard to the death of our townsman, Lewis Barnes, which will be read with interest by his many friends in West Branch:

"The death of Lewis Barnes of West Branch, Iowa, occured last Saturday at about 4 p.m. with acute indigestion. Mr. Barnes came down with Mr. and Mrs. Gruwell of the same place. Also Dr. and Mrs. Leech, Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Kinsey and daughter, Inez, came later. The deceased had been here almost three months and had gained nine pounds in weight. He had stomach trouble before he came. From milk and malt he soon got so he ate almost what he wished. He enjoyed fishing and went quite often, getting up as early as half past four a.m. and out usually most of the day. He was cheerful and happy and contented during his stay; made everybody his friend. His sickness was only forty-two hours. Sad indeed for a hale and hearty man to be carried away so quick, but all was done that could be done but to no avail. At about 10 a.m. the tourist began to gather around the undertaking parlors of the Bradford Undertaking Co. Dr. John Lunn of McLeansboro, Ill, made an address and prayer in behalf and tokens of respect for the deceased. Dr. Lunn urged all to be ready for death as the decree had gone forth from on high that all must die. No gold, silver riches or any station in life, saint or sinner could prevent death.

After the services some 200 marched to the depot and at 10:57 the body was shipped to West Branch, Iowa. Dr. Leech and Miss Inez Kinsey accompanied the body home. Dr. Leech will return in a few days where he and his wife will continue their vacation. They are stopping at the residence of Mrs. S. Picard, 128 Main street."

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Lewis Barnes was born in Cedar county, Iowa, near Downey, Feb. 5, 1850, and died at Biloxi, Miss., Feb. 18, 1911, aged 52 years and 13 days.

He was united in marriage to Hattie Lehmann, Dec. 23, 1880 and for twenty-one years lived on a farm near West Branch. Nine years ago they moved to town where they made their home until the death of his wife on April 26, 1906.

He leaves to mourn his loss, two daughters, Mrs. Harvey DeForest and Mrs. W. B. Browning, with whom he made his home for the past two years. He also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Lewis Bingham of Rockwell City and Miss Laura of Iowa City, and five brothers. Jess of San Francisco, Cal., Charlie of Trinidad, Colo, Otto, Bert and Ned all of Iowa City.

On December first, he with others went to Biloxi, Miss. to spend the winter, from which place he was called to his heavenly home.

The body arrived here Wednesday evening, Feb. 22, in charge of Dr. Leech and funeral services were held at the W. B. Browning home Thursday at 2 p.m. when a large number of friends assembled to pay respects to the deceased. The services at the house were conducted by Rev. W. A. Montgomery, and those at the grave by the Modern Woodman.