Bartow, Elijah Hening 1827-1900

BARTOW, PEER, CATCHAM, MARTIN, STALLINGS

Posted By: Christy Jay (email)
Date: 2/18/2005 at 10:25:11

OBITUARY E. H. BARTOW

His sickle garners the bearded grain
Nor spares the flowers that grow between

Another whose face and voice was familiar to most all of us now no more mingles in the social throng of mortal earth. A faithful husband, loving father and generous friend has folded his tent for the other shore. Centuries ago a pagan philosopher used this illustration of death: “The Master came into the busiest group and beckoned the leader into the open door. He followed and the door shut. God’s finger touched him and he slept.” Life bears us on like a stream of a mighty river. Our boat glides down the narrow channels. We see its grassy borders; the treed shed their fragrance and blossoms; we are eager and hopeful; the stream bears us on. Our course in manhood is along a wider and deeper flood. We may be shipwrecked, but we cannot anchor. Our voyage may be hastened but cannot be delayed. Whether rough or smooth the river hastens towards its home till the roar of the sea is in our ears, and we take our leave of mortality.

The drama of life culminates at the grave. Here all rank ends.

The rich man must surrender his wealth, the poor man his rags. The prince and the pauper are equal in the republic of death. What is the invincible, mysterious spark which distinguishes life form death? Her philosophers cease to be wise. Faith carries us beyond the domain of reason and assures us the grave is no the end. That somewhere in God’s great universe man’s spirits dwell in peaceful abodes where they will ere long welcome their earthly friends. The attributes that we knew and admired still exist and live. The spirit is not buried with the closed eyes, pulseless heart and cold still hands. The light of his countenance no more shall brighten the couch of pain nor his strong hop lift up the despondent heart. Winter storms no more disturb his slumbers. His mortal form is not disturbed by the summer’s heat. Love, hate, hope, ambition all lie down in the dust together. Shall God’s noblest work perish from the memory of man? Is the grave the end? Does death end all? “If a man dies shall he live again?” Millions of agonizing hearts have asked this question. May we not answer? And somber shadows cover the feet of shining hills so death hides from the eyes the “Evergreen Mountains of life “Through dark mysterious mists our brother has bone on into the great brightness.” “There is on death; the friends gone on before in brighter, happier homes are living yet.”.

Is his death a noble life went out; a kind heart ceased to beat. The tapestry of his life curtains the brightest and noblest of patterns. With extended hands and through scalding tears we peer into the depths beyond and ask “Whiter bound?” Here stands the watchman, Death, grim and impassable, yet down through the ages thunders our watchword “Immanuel.” Those other dear words come to us, “Birth,” “Life,” “Death,” and “Resurrection.” We believe that his noble sprit has been transplanted by angel’s bands into the garden of God. Even the clouds of earth have a silver lining.

Elijah Hening Bartow was born in Harrison County, Ohio, August 13th 1827, died February 10th, 1900, aged 72 years 3 months and 27 days. He was married to Martha Peer, October 28th, 1853, which survives him. To them were born eight children, five living, and three having died in infancy. Those living are Mrs. Mary E. Latcham of Montezuma, Hester A. Martin of Lynnville, Elsworth Bartow, of Lynnville, Ketrurah Stallings of Knoxville and Miss Alta Bartow who is at home. He was one of nature’s noble’s men. He was known and honored all over the state. His life was the sweetest of odors and his memory we revere. Tired of the dust and heat of the day, ere he had reached old age, he laid down among the flowers of a well spent life, by time’s roadside, and was caressed to the sleep of eternity by many kind hearts and loving hands. His friendships were of the David and Jonathan type. For many years be was an honored worthy member of the I. O. O. F. His deeds of benevolence are known by many. He was a man of profound thought and firm convictions and his personal character above reproach. His strong vigorous mind and indomitable will made him a leader among men. He made a deep impression upon the early pioneers of this country. He believed that honesty and ability should be the requirements of officers; no blind party fealty. In religion he was liberal and charitable, in politics honest and generous. He filled all the township offices of trust and for many years was president of the school board. He came to Iowa in 1847 and entered the farm on which he died. He walked from Iowa City to Newton and there was not a town on the route. There was a sawmill at Lynnville and Newton was only a hamlet. He has seen cities and towns grow from the rolling prairies. Jasper County was then one ocean of grass and the red man was monarch of all he surveyed. E. H. Bartow was Jasper County’s Grant, the still, watchful, prudent leader, glowing with executive ability. He served as County Treasure from 1870 to 1876. During this time he resided with his family in Newton. Later he served several terms as County Supervisor and credit to himself and honor to the taxpayers. He voted for Birney for President when only three votes were so cast in Jasper County. He retained his bright intellect to the last and made all arrangements for his funeral.

All his children were present during his last days which afforded him much happiness. The funeral was from his late residence. Feeling and timely addresses were made by E. B. Macy, W.R. Mathews, D. B. Mendenhall, O. Burnham and Mrs. M. Mayfield. A large attendance of friends followed the mortal remains to its last resting place, in Odd Fellow’s Cemetery near the old settler’s park. The many friends who during day and night assisted in wiping the death damps from the hero’s brow, have the thanks and heat felt gratitude of all the relatives.

Let them who stood with breaking hearts around an open grave have no tears. Death at the worst in only perfect rest; but we believe it is a spirit birth that will grow and unfold its beauties during all eternity, to the happiness of all. Then to our departed friends let us no say “Good Night,: but rather in some better, brighter land “Good Morning.”. ~ Scrapbook of Eliza (White) Jay (1844-1919)

Submitted on Sun May 26 13:59:21 2002 by
Christy Jay, Jaygenie@aol.com
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Elijah H. Bartow Dead

E. H. Bartow, known throughout Jasper County as one of our best and most highly esteemed citizens, died at his home near Lynnville on Saturday morning, February 10th, in his seventy-third year. Mr. Bartow has been a resident of this county for over fifty years, few men being better known than he, and none standing higher in the estimation of his fellow citizens.

Elijah Hennings Bartow was born in Harrison County, Ohio, Aug. 13, 1827. He came to Iowa in 1847, when he was a young man of twenty years, and entered land from the government on which he died. He then returned to Ohio and in 1849, brought his mother and sisters with him to Jasper County. He cared for the family until his sisters were married and his mother died at an advanced age. He was married to Martha Peer of Richland Township, Oct. 28, 1853; who survives him. Eight children were born to them, five of them still living: Mary E. Latcham of Montezuma, Hester A. Martin and Elsworth Bartow of Lynnville, Keturah Stalling of Knoxville, and Alta Bartow at home.

He had served in different offices in the county and was elected County Treasurer for three consecutive terms, viz. from 1870 to 1876, during which time he resided with his family in Newton for five years, with the exception of which time he had lived on the same farm, which he had bought from the government and where his spirit passed to the home above.

The funeral was from the late residence, Sunday afternoon, there being a large attendance of relatives and friends. Brief addresses were delivered by E. B. Macy, W. R. Mathews, D. B. Mendenhall, Mr. Burnham and Mrs. Mayfield, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Odd Fellows Cemetery near the Old Settlers Park at Lynnville. ~ The Newton Record Thursday, February 15, 1900