Eliza Gwin Barker, 1848-1930

BARKER, GWINN, MOHR, CRISPEN

Posted By: Ann Jaber (email)
Date: 1/9/2006 at 20:11:47

DEATH OF MRS. ELIZA BARKER

Death on Monday of this week claim one of Victor's early pioneer settlers and most highly respected residents in the person of Mrs. Eliza J. Barker. Mrs. Barker had been in failing health for some time, death being due to the infirmities of old age. She was 81 years, 4 months and 28 days old.

Mrs. Barker was a daughter of Jesse and Susanna Gwinn, and was born in Holmes County, Ohio, August 16, 1848. When she was about 2 years of age her parents came to Iowa Co. and homesteaded a farm south of Victor on the old State road. Here she grew to young womanhood, receiving her education, and at the age of 16 she passed a teacher's examination and taught school in Victor, being one of the town's earliest school teachers.

In January, 1868, she was united in marriage to Wesley C. Barker, who proceeded her in death on Sept. 10, 1918, after 53 years of happy wedded life. Mrs. Barker was the mother of ten children, of whom three survive: Charles and Mrs. V.C. Mohr of Victor and Mrs. H. G. Crispen of Des Moines. There are also two aged brothers, Colonel Gwinn and David Gwinn of Galesburg, Ill, besides seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and host of friends, who mourn her death.

Mrs. Barker's parents were Methodists, and early in life she gave her heart to God and united with the Victor M.E. Church, remaining a consistent worker in the church all these years. She was faithful in her attendance at church as long as her health would permit. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother and a good neighbor. Earth is poorer and Heaven richer for her going.

Her life was given in loving service to her family. A favorite quotation which she had written on the back of photographs of her grandchildren was: "I live for those who love me and the good that I can do."

Funeral services were held Wednesday at 10 am from the Methodist Church, in charge of her pastor, Rev. O.E. McBride. Mrs. C.J. Raffensperger rendered a beautiful solo. Interment was made in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery.

From Ethel Rohrer Glass' scrapbook. Actually paper unknown. Date written beside obit is Jan 13, 1930.