BARKER, Mary 1855-1930

BARKER, HARRISON, PURCELL

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/25/2015 at 07:28:44

Mrs. J. C. Barker Dead

Mrs. J. C. Barker died at her home in Grundy Center shortly before noon today. She had been in ill health for the past year and her condition was regarded as serious several days before her death.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 24 April 1930, pg 1

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Mrs. Barker Buried At R'Beck

Funeral Services Held in Grundy Center Saturday Afternoon

Funeral services for the late Mrs. J. C. Barker were held in the Methodist church in Grundy Center last Saturday, Rev. J. B. Bird, the local pastor, officiated at the service, which was very largely attended. The remains were taken to Reinbeck for interment.

Obituary
(By Rev. J. B. Bird)

A long period of physical ? of severe illnesses of anxiety and hopefulness on the part of family and friends came to a close about noon on Thursday, when Mrs. Barker quietly breathed her last. The end came quietly. The long illness followed by an attack of pneumonia placed too great a burden on the weakened heart.

She had lived in this community twenty-five years. Her life, her unselfish interest in all whom she met, her devotion to the good and welfare of all, especially of those who were in need, won to her many friends who thank God for this woman's devotion and love and who themselves have been made better by her sympathy and goodness.

Sometimes the word "wonderful" is used to describe some man or woman who has achieved distinction in the field of invention, discovery, ?, philanthropy, or political life: hers I am glad to bear witness with you today to one who achieved distinction in the realm of goodness. The brief ? made by many of you upon hearing of her death was the simple tribute. "She was a wonderful woman," and I knew by the pulse of your voice that she was all that to you because of her great ?ness. The loving tribute was rendered to one who ? of life's meagerness in things material, made the little she possessed go far because it was spread lavishly in self sacrifice, labor and love. Tennyson was right forever right, when he wrote, "Kind hearts are more than coronets and simple faith than Norman blood."

Mrs. Barker gave her heart to Christ when a girl and her devotion to the church to which she was adorned thro all the years.

Mrs. Barker was known as Mary Harrison before her marriage. Her birthplace was Westwood in the province of Ontario, on the 3rd of May, 1855. At 16 years of age she went to live at Detroit, Michigan. Five years later she married Henry Purcell, who died in the year 1900. In the fall of 1904 (Oct. 13) she became the wife of Mr. J. C. Barker and came to live here.

Having no children of her own, she was yet the mother of two families, the children of her two husbands, to which children she was truly a mother. Her husband and the following children survive: Mrs. Maggie Blaik, Dayton, Ohio; Geo. Barker, in Canada; Al Barker, Duluth, Minn.; Percy Barker, Virginia, Minn., and Harry Barker, Mason City, Iowa. Now that she is gone only one member of her parents' family of nine children is left, a brother who lives at Barryton, Mich.

I will not say much more, save only that her many friends will often miss her, and will feel lonely without her. The ones to whom she gave of her life, her husband and family, will feel sorely the loneliness of the home without her.

Some ten years ago, her husband and some friends provided $30 by which she was made, not a life member, but a perpetual member of the W.H.M.S. so that each year her dues will be paid and her interest and membership in that organization will continue in the future.

Relatives and friends from outside of the local community who were here at the funeral were the three sons, Harry Barker from Mason City, Al from Duluth and Percy from Virginia, Minn., Miss Sarah Barker, Mr. and Mrs. Will Barker, Mr. and Mrs. Will White and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Mitchell from Reinbeck, Ben Fletcher and family, Dike; Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Franken, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Stahl and John Fletcher from Holland; Will Whirten and family, ?; Mrs. Sarah Fothergill, Mrs. Mae ? and ? Brown, Armstrong; Mr. and Mrs. ?, Green Mountain.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 1 May 1930, pg 6

**the online copy was very difficult to read, some completely unreadable