John M. Barker, 1844-1916

BARKER

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 7/28/2006 at 10:15:29

AGED CITIZEN IS STRICKEN BY HAND OF DEATH

John M. Barker suffers a Fatal Stroke of apoplexy

MASONS CONDUCT BURIAL

I. O. O. F. Brothers Attend in a Body
Deceased Familiar Figure at Court House

The entire community received a shock when the news rapidly spread on Friday morning that John M. Barker had died suddenly at 11:30 p.m. Thursday. He had been in his usual health Thursday and had spent the day at his work as deputy auditor, and had taken an automobile ride in the evening. He was taken sick suddenly upon retiring and soon suffered a stroke of apoplexy which took him away very quickly.

John M. Barker was born in Cambridgeshire, England, May 8th 1844, and died in Estherville May 11th 1916, at the age of 72 years and 3 days. He came to New York state with his parents in 1856 where he remained but six months and then came on west to Sparta, Wis., where he lived until 1869, when he moved to Iowa, arriving in this state on the 4th of July, 1869.

On the 14th of November, 1869, he was united in marriage to Luella R. Lovell, at Angelo, Wis. He and his young bride came to Iowa, where they have lived happily together until separated by the grim messenger of death. To this union there was born two daughters, Edna M. Barker and Mrs. L. C. Doolittle, both living in Estherville.

Mr. Barker moved on a farm when he first came to Iowa where he lived until 1886, when he moved into Estherville where he has since resided.

His honesty, industry and integrity and the high esteem in which his fellow citizens have always held--are clearly seen in the many civic positions of honor and trust he has been called upon to fill both in his town and county. He has served for several years as a member of the School Board of the town and also several years as a member of the town council where his good business judgment was given to the city in the conduct of its affairs.

He has had an exceptionally long and honored career in the public life of the county. In 1872 he was elected to office for the first time being chosen as county clerk, which office he filled for six years. Then he was elected as surveyor, filling that office for four years. For a short time following that he was connected with a store in Estherville. In 1885 he was elected as county treasurer, which office he ably filled for eight years. Then for a few years he worked as assistant and clerk in the various county offices.

When R. J. Ridley was elected as county auditor in the fall of 1902, he appointed Mr. Barker as his deputy. This office he filled for eight years with Mr. Ridley and when Chas. Root was elected as Mr. Ridley's successor he retained Mr. Barker as his deputy, which office he continued to fill until suddenly summoned to lay down all earthly years. Thus he has served his county in public office for 31 years and for five or six years more he worked in various offices as assistant and clerk, thus giving to Emmet county some 36 or 37 years of faithful service. A record hard to be excelled anywhere in the state.

Mr. Barker has been closely associated with the fraternal life of the city. He united with the Masonic Order on the 21st of August, 1883, and has since retained his membership with that body. On the 26th of March, 1888, he united with the I. O. O. F. lodge where he has since retained a membership. On the 29th of October, 1888, he with several other men formed the Estherville Camp of Modern Woodmen.

He has been a member of the board of trustees of the local Baptist church for a long period of years. First as trustee of the Free Will church and when the two Baptist churches united three years ago he was elected as a trustee of the Union Baptist church and was a member of that board when called up to lay down life's affairs. He was actively interested in the building of the new parsonage two years ago and had spoken often of hoping to see a new meeting house where the Old Free Will church building now stands. His wise council and good business judgment will be missed in all the affairs of the church.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, two daughters, Edna M. and Mrs. L. C. Doolittle; one grandson, John Doolittle; four brothers, George, Henry, Tom and Warren Pullen, and two sisters, Mrs. H. E. McCoy and Mrs. Geo. Heathman of Pluver [sic], Iowa besides a large number of other relatives and hosts of warm friends.

Mr. Barker was a lovable man. One always found him the same. A good word for everyone and a friend to all. To know him was to love him. He will be greatly missed in his home, the church, the lodge, the court house. the city and the entire county, where he has been so well and favorably known by so many of its best citizens.

The funeral services were conducted from the home on north Seventh street at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, May 14, by Rev. J. Frederic Catlin, the pastor of the Union Baptist church. Regardless of the rain the house would not hold the many fr iends who wished to pay their last respects to the d one. The Odd Fellows and Masons attended in aody and acted as an escort to the cemetery, notwithstanding the fact that it was pouring down rain all the time. The Masons conducted the burial service at the Oak Hill cemetery, where the body was deposited in its last resting place.

The following persons attended the funeral rvices from out of town: Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Broadwell of Minneapolis; Mrs. Dora Converse and son, Roy, and Mrs. Paul Dalaba of Sparta, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. George Heathman and Alice McCoy of Pluver [sic], Iowa. Mrs. Broadwell, Mrs. Converse and Mrs. Dalaba are all sisters of Mrs. Barker, and Mrs. Heathman was a sister of Mr. Barker.

Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: Estherville Democrat, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, May 17, 1916.

CC Note: Gravestone photo available