Barton, Florence L. 1862 - 1884

BARTON

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/5/2014 at 12:27:18

Iowa Plain Dealer December 11, 1884, P3 C3

DIED.

BARTON.--In Cresco, Iowa, Sunday, December 7, 1884, of consumption, Miss Florence Barton, aged about 22 years.

Second Obit in Iowa Plain Dealer December 18, 1884, P3 C2

OBITUARY.
BARTON.—December 7th 1884, at her home in Cresco, after a long and painful illness, Florence L. Barton, in the 22nd year of her age.
She was born in Louisville, Ky., but about eight years ago removed with her Parents to Cresco, where she has since lived; though in this time she attended the St. Mary’s Institute in Prairie du Chien, and was one of a class of four young ladies to graduate from there June 29th 1882, while her honors were among the best to be gained.
She spoke in the highest commendation of her life there, and of her great gain in spiritual life, as well as in the knowledge of books, though she never abandoned her faith in her own church.
She was a good student, ever ready to learn more for herself and to impart that knowledge as far as lay in her power to others; especially to her younger brother and sisters who learned much from her patient lips of wise counsel and profit.

Teachers and schoolmates speak of her as a true christian girl. She was well versed in the bible, which fact, a more mature life would have developed if health had been granted her.

She said to her mother not many days before her death, “Mother, I have nothing to regret in the conduct of my past life; yet if I had my life to live over I should strive to follow more closely in the foot-steps of our Savior.”

She was a musician of far more than average ability, and many will remember the hours spent in her society, where harp, guitar or piano responded to the touch of her skillful fingers and made pleasant the companionship of friends.

Her life was one of golden promise, until within a few years, during the greater part of which time it has been one of suffering for herself and anxiety for her friends, especially for the devoted mother whose almost constant companion and everkind and dutiful daughter she has been.

Only a short time before her death, preparations were being made for a long journey to the Sunny South land, hoping there to find returning health, but before her mother could fulfil her hearts desire, her Heavenly Father called her home, and on Sabbath morning her young life went out into the unknown, which for her had no fear. “I am not afraid to die, mother,” were words which passed her lips not long before her death; and as the deep love for her mother, shone in her eyes and conveyed the longing she {illegible} to have her still her companion in death and bear her company. She silences the thought, as she said “You should be left to guide and care for the {illegible} ones left in your keeping;” and long will they remember the words of wise counsel and admonition she gave them about her dying bed.

Florence had been a member of the Congregational church for several years, amid when her health would permit, taught a class of little girls in the Sunday school. Nothing would more truly show the affection they felt for their teacher than the grief they manifested when last they looked upon her face.

The memorial services were held in the Congregational church, Tuesday afternoon, and a large concourse of people, and the exquisite offerings of flowers were most fitting for the young life just passed away.

May the sorrowing friends be comforted in their affliction and know more perfectly of the true christian life which she lived.

”So they may go
When this life of ours is o’er,
Where she dwells;
There to utter never more
Sad fare wells.”

COM.