Martin Barrett, Sr.

BARRETT, JESSUP, MCMAHON

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 8/26/2015 at 09:36:59

VALVULAR HEART TROUBLE CAUSE.

Martin Barrett, Pioneer Citizen of Dunlap, Succumbs to Dread Disease Last Saturday.

WAS SEVENTY-FOUR YEARS OLD.

Born in County Mayo, Ireland, and Came With His Parents to This Country When a Child.

Dunlap, Jan. 26--(Special to the Review)--Martin Barrett, Sr., whose serious illness has been mentioned in these columns from time to time, passed away Saturday afternoon, January 23d, at 3 o'clock. By his death we lose one of our most respected and influential citizens. For several years past Mr. Barrett had been a great sufferer from rheumatism and visited several notes sanitariums in hopes of gaining permanent relief, and would come home greatly encouraged and much relieved from the intense suffering, and he would again take up his usual interest in the affairs of the town. Four years ago he visited the celebrated baths in the south of Ireland and since that time has not suffered so much from rheumatism, but other complications arose and in his last illness he suffered from valvular heart trouble.

Martin Barrett was the second son of Jacob and Mary Barrett and was born in County Mayo, Ireland, seventy-four years ago. He came with his parents to this country when but a child, they settling at Madison, Ind., later removing to DeWitt, Clinton county, Iowa, where he grew to manhood and received his education. In January, 1860, Mr. Barrett was united in marriage to Miss Ann Hart at DeWitt, who with his brother, Michael Barrett, and sister, Mrs. Thos. Higgins, and four sons, two daughters and fourteen grandchildren are left to mourn his loss and revere the memory of one who gave them only good advice and tenderest affection. The children are: William H., a druggist at Mallard, Iowa; Michael L., an attorney at Logan, Iowa; Martin Jr.,a grocer at Hamburg, Iowa; Dr. John F., a dentist at Chicago; Peter F., in the furniture and undertaking business in the home town; Mrs. Charles Jessup, of Dunlap, and Mrs. P.D. McMahon, of SanDiego, Cali.; two daughters and one son died in infancy and one son, Jacob E., died in early manhood.

Soon after his marriage Mr. Barrett came to western Iowa and settled on a farm in Monona county, where by habits of frugality and industry he gained a full competency and reared and educated his children, retiring from active farm work in 1892, when he took up his residence in town, leaving the active management of the farms to his sons.

In religious belief Mr. Barrett was a Catholic and clung to the faith of his forefathers through all the hardships of pioneer days and was sustained by the beautiful and hopeful teachings during the weeks of suffering which he passed through uncomplainingly in his last illness.

In political opinion he was a democrat and served as postmaster at Dunlap during Cleveland's second term. His work in the office was conducted in such a manner as to give complete satisfaction to all.

The funeral was held from St. Patrick's church Monday, Father McManus, of Council Bluffs, celebrating pontification requiem high mass, assisted by Father O' Sullivan, of Woodbine, and his pastor, Father Hanson, who also gave an eloquent and sympthetic eulogy on the life and character of the deceased. Interment was made in Pleasant Hill cemetery. The attendance at the funeral, both from other towns and surrounding country, only in a small way testified in what high regard Mr. Barrett was held in this community.

The sincere sympathy of all goes out to the widow, children and his brother and sister, who will always miss the kindly presence of husband, father and brother.

Source: The Denison Review, Denison, Crawford, Ia., 27 Jan 1915.