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William Burgess Barton 1859 - 1924

BARTON, CAMPBELL

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/17/2021 at 20:05:20

The Onawa Democrat
3 July 1924

Wm. B. BARTON, PIONEER PASSES ON

End Came On Friday Evening At Five O’Clock After MONTHS OF SUFFERING

For Thirty Three Year, Mr. Barton was Agent of the I. C. Road at this Place -- Masonic Funeral Held .. on Sunday Afternoon.

William Burgess Barton an honored and respected citizen of this community, was born November 6th, 1859, at North Amboy, N. J. and died at his home in East Onawa Friday afternoon at five o'clock. June 27th following an illness of several months if he had lived until the sixth day of the coming November he would have bbene sixty-five years of age.

On January 19 1881, he was married to Miss Margaret Campbell at South Amboy N. J. Rev L. H. Copeland of the Baptist church officiating. To this union four children were born Florence B. Hawks, of Ulmer, Iowa, George H. Barton and Richard P. Barton both of Los Angeles California and Fred C Barton of Onawa Iowa.

More than half of his life was spent in Onawa. Mr. Barton had very fine parents. Thoughtful and at all times very much interested in their children. He had a wonderful mother. She was affiliated with the Methodist church and naturally are brother was to receive his education in the rank and file of that religious body. While young in life, Mr. Barton studied for the Ministry and graduated from the Methodist Theological Seminary of Hackett's Town N J., although he never became active in this work. He declined to accept a charge. While going to school he found time to study telegraphy and became efficient as a telegrapher, working for a few years, for the New Jersey Central R. R. of New Jersey.

In 1888 Mr. and Mrs. Barton came to Onawa. Mr. Barton was employed by the Illinois Central R. R. at this place as agent, which position he held with increasing profit to the Company and unusual credit to himself. For thirty-three years continuous service as a record held by few men. Three years ago he was honorably discharged at his own request, and placed on a pension by the company. Recently he received a button from the President of the railroad, voicing his splendid years of excellent service. This token of appreciation was issued only by those rendering long and satisfying service to the company.

Mr. Barton was a member of Vesper lodge No 223 A.F.&A.M. and always associated himself with honorable and honest companions. Our brother was one of those honorable, pleasing and economical men who never fail to make friends with his acquaintances. He enjoyed the confidence of an unlimited number of people. For more than a year he has been confined quite closely to the house. He loved his home. Looking forward to the day when he would be free from the depot and its surroundings and might be located in a quiet resident district. This desire was gratified and how much he did enjoy it. His faithful wife stood by his side to the very last. So devoted, so tender, and so loving. During his last days, in fact for some month this disease was such that required constant care. This was a great test of her physical endurance. Nothing was left undone. Every request was complied with. Day and night she was by his side ready to make him more comfortable or minister to his wants. What a consolation to the good wife, today, to know that she was ample to minister tenderly to him.

He leaves a loving wife, three sons and one daughter, four sisters, Mrs. C.H. Bower of Council Bluffs, la., Mrs. John Davis, Mechanicsburg, Pa., Carry and Flora Barton of Annadale Staten Island. His father and mother, two sisters, and one brother preceded him in death. He leaves a niece, Mrs. John Cope, two granddaughters one in California and one in Onawa. Besides a host of relatives and friends to mourn his loss.

Funeral services were conducted from the home on Sunday afternoon at one o'clock conducted by Rev. C. S. Kleckner of the Onawa Christian church. The services at the cemetery were in charge of the Vesper Lodge and A. F. & A. M., of of which body Mr. Barton was Worshipful Master during the year 1906. The music was furnished by Mr. John Brandin with a beautiful and touching violin number and a Masonic quartette consisting of W.H. Reeves, Brenton Hamil, Hugh G. Gray and Fred Wonder. The remains were lovingly laid to rest in the family plot in the Onawa cemetery.


 

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