Barr, Catherine Hoffman (1835-1920)

BARR, HOFFMAN, ROBINSON, MEEKS

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 10/29/2023 at 12:58:35

Webster City Freeman
Webster City, Iowa
Monday, September 20, 1920

Catherine Elizabeth Hoffman was born in Frederick county, Virginia, June 29, 1835. Early in life her family moved westward, first to Ohio and later to Waynesville, Illinois. During their residence here she arrived at womanhood and on Sept. 29, 1853, was married to Andrew Jackson Barr. About four years later they moved to Blue Earth, Minn. It was at this period of their lives that the civil war occurred. Mr. Barr was among the volunteers and served one and a half years. During this time Mrs. Barr kept the family and managed and largely worked the farm. It was a period not only of wartime hardships, but of pioneer privations and experiences as well. Soon after his return from the war occurred the New Ulm Indian massacre. Once more Mr. Barr shouldered his gun and stood for the defense of his home and country. This was a period of thrilling experiences for all the family. The children now recall their places of hiding as the alarm was given from time to time. The pillaging and burning occurred within sight of their home, but Mrs. Barr always proved her courage and heroism under such occasions. About 1871 they moved to Hamilton county and settled on a farm six miles south of this place. In 1887 they moved to Webster City which has since been their home. Her husband died seven years ago.

Mrs. Barr was converted and joined the church in her youth and throughout her life maintained an active interest in things religious. The children, now grown, have a lively remembrance of being bundled into the bob sled and drawn by an ox team for miles, night after night, to a religious meeting. Time and again, her hands made the shroud for a neighbor's dead. Often she was the first to visit the newcomer in the community. There are those now present who declare that she offered the first prayer that hallowed their house, or traveled several miles to minister to the sick. Nor will it be out of place in this connection to recall that her husband shared the same spirit in these ministrations. They were not only both active in Sunday school work at home, but they were instrumental in establishing several schools in their neighboring communities. By such labors as these, and others, they secured a high place in the esteem of all who knew them and afford a literal fulfillment of "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord. They rest from their labors and their works do follow them."

Mrs. Barr's family consisted of six children, two of whom, Morgan L. and Angie M., died in childhood. The other members of the family are Mrs. Elsie C. Robinson of Gilbert, Iowa; John T. Barr of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Martha E. Meeks of Webster City and Wm. M. Barr of Bridgewater, S.D. She also has numerous relatives and a large circle of acquaintances and friends.

For some months past it had been apparent that Mrs. Barr's earthly tabernacle was letting down. The silver cord was loosening, the golden bowl was shattered. Very slowly she approached the end. She kept about till within a few days of her departure. Loving hands continued their kindly ministrations for a few days longer and then last Monday the pitcher was broken at the fountain and the wheel broken at the cistern and the dust returned to the earth as it was and the spirit to God who gave it. She had marked 85 years of a career according to the flesh, but eternity will fail to mark the end of her spiritual career.

The funeral occurred at the home at 929 Bank street, Wednesday afternoon. Interment took place beside her husband in Graceland cemetery.

[according to Find A Grave information her headstone shows her year of birth as 1834.]