Sarah Barker (1877)

BARKER, COX

Posted By: Ida Morse (email)
Date: 3/23/2006 at 19:48:20

Winterset Madisonian, Winterset, Iowa
March 22, 1877, Page 7

OBITUARY

Sarah Barker, known as Grandmother Barker, died the 7th of March, 1877. She was born May 20th, 1799, in Randolph county, North Carolina, and died in her 78th year. Her maiden name was Sarah Cox, was married to S. G. Barker in her 22d year.

At the early age of 12 years she professed conversion while a member of the Friends or Quaker church, and about 43 years ago united with the Baptist church.

She with her husband, moved from North Carolina to Indiana 48 years ago, and lived there till 21 years ago, when they moved to Iowa, Madison County, Grand River township.

She became a member of the Bethesda Baptist church, which was organized in a house on their farm. She was a woman of strong body and mind and bore the hardships of privations incident to the early settlers of Indiana and Iowa, and helped to raise a large family; so that where she has lived for 24 years has been know as the Barker settlement.

She was the mother of eleven children, ten of which survive her. All have families, numbering in all (including granchildren) (grandchildren) 87, of which 66 are now living.

All her children have professed a hope in Christ, and a good many of her grandchildren.

S. B. barker her husband, who died about 18 years ago, was a pioneer Baptist preacher in this new county and did much to build up the cause of Christ and the Baptist denomination.

Grandmother Barker, was as we believe, a constant Christian, often in her quiet way giving evidence of her acceptance with God, faithfully attending the meetings of the church, and was a help-meet of her husband and children in the great work of life. As she grew old in years, her mind with her body grew feeble as it regarded things of this world, but was always clear and bright on the subject of religion.

Captain Barker, her son who was kindly caring for her in her old age, had a pleasant visit with her the evening before she died. She had been better than usual for a week and seemed quite cheerful and happy. She went to bed about eight o’clock an rested well till eleven, when she got up as was usual; her son helped her to bed and placed the covers around her, as he commonly did, she seemed as well as common and soon seemed to go to sleep and breathe easy, but a little before one o’clock, she slept her life away without a struggle. “A sleep in Jesus, blessed sleep.” She looked as if the first view of heaven so animated her that it lit up her countenance with a heavenly light which left no room to doubt as the result.

The children were summoned and came to perform the last acts of tender affection and respect to their beloved mother. Her funeral was preached by J. M. Smith, Friday 9th at 11 o’clock. Text, II timothy, IV chapter, 6, 7 and 8 verses, to a large congregation of relatives and friends, who followed her to the grave to pay the last respect.

She was nicely buried, laid between her husband and brother in what is know as the “Moon Cemetery,” near the center of the township. The children and friends can truly feel they have new interest in heaven. It may be truly said, she fought a good fight.

J. M. Smith

Iowa Gravestone Photo Project
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen