Jeremiah Harmon Barker (1885)

BARKER, YOUNG

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 11/8/2005 at 18:32:11

Winterset Madisonian, Winterset, Iowa
February 5, 1885

Mr. J. H. Barker, born in N. C. in 1826. When three years of age, his parents moved to Iowa where he remained until 1854, then went to Jacksonville, Illinois, in which place he lived one year. He came to Madison county in 1855. He was married to Miss J. B. Young in June 1859, which lady he has left to mourn him, also three children.

Mr. Barker was one of the most respected of all Winterset businessmen, strictly honest in all his dealings, public, spirited conscientious and beloved by all who knew him. Of late years his health had been broken, and not withstanding this fact he has continued carrying on his business against obstacles that would crush many a man in good health.

Eight years ago last December he was stricken by paralysis, which left him all but helpless, although able to get around, and since that time he has twice been a victim of the same misfortunes, which finally resulted in his death.

His familiar face will be seen no more, and while we are stirred with the deepest sympathy and sorrow, we cannot but feel that his suffering which he bore with such fortitude and patience are at an end.

---------

This is from the gold Madison County history book below written in Madisonian with the above obit.

In the cemetery section of the "History of Madison County" is the following" Private Cemetery. Mr. J. H. Barker and Dr. D. H. Philbrick have a private cemetery in a beautiful location on the hill-side just south of the city cemetery. Mr. Barker has two children at rest there and Dr. Philbrick one. the original intention was to have vaults built in the hill-side at this plac e, which was first used in 1862. At that time the city cemetery was considered by these gentlemen to be too damp for burial uses, but it has since been so well drained and improved that they will probably remove their dead there and abandon the private cemetery." (Note: Indices from the Winterset Cemetery do not have listed J. Barker or his children. Chances are the old cemetery was not abandoned.)

Submitted by Ida Morse