BARKLEY, Elijah King 1842-1931

BARKLEY, DRUMM, HEATON, NICOLLS, PECK, PIXLER, DEARINGER

Posted By: Laurie Wilson Ihry (email)
Date: 4/15/2005 at 22:19:41

(Note: Unknown newspaper, est. March 1931)

The career of another early settler of Woodbury county came to an end Friday, February 27th, when, like a chapter in a good book, death solemnly entreated the seal to be placed on the life of Elijah King Barkley. Sad though the parting, the surviving children and grand children are bequeted a heritage that will fill their memories of good deeds and admonitions of the grand old man, whose span of life was marked with gay epics as a son of a Virginia aristrocrat, a miner and an early settler in a new country.

Dating his ancestry back to English gentry, the blood of aristocracy flowed freely in the veins of the Barkleys of Virginia, who were influential land owners during the secessions of the Southern states. So apprehensive was the situation for the younger generation, that young Elijah under age for Civil war enlistment, joined a party of northern sympathizers and came west to Omaha, then considered the metropolis on the western frontier in 1863. Young Barkley here joined a 168 wagon train for the gold rush to Virginia City, Montana. Turning their faces northwestward, the caravan lumbered up the Platte valley, over precipitious points down into the Little Big Horn Valley in southern Montana, and on to the gold fields. The gold rush of '63 boasted as many dark and bloody deeds in comparison for the west as did the battles of the raging war in the east. While experiencing life in this wild and untamed country Mr. Barkley witnessed some of the most blood curdling scenes imaginable. On one occasion he saw bodies of road agents murdered and hung to a protruding pole by a gang of cutthroats that operated in the mining district near Bannock.

Mr. Barkley obtained permission to stake a gold claim in Alder gulch. His adventrues in "striking it rich" ended in disappointment. Years later when the claim had passed into other hands, it yielded its worker considerable wealth. This chapter in Mr. Barkley's life was indeed eventful and colorful. He was a part of western civilization. After many years of hard labor and many thrilling experiences, a vision of the old home smote him with homesickness and he returned to his kindred in Iowa, joining a party across the mountains and arid vastness to Salt Lake City, Utah. A novel pasttime of Mr. Barkley on this long trek was joining the other men in shooting buffaloes. Oftimes squatting on the wagon tongue of the covered wagon, drivers would aim at the buffalo, whom they were in constant fear of causing a stampede. Reaching Salt Lake City in safety, the travelers visited the Mormon settlement and personally visited with Brigham Young. Denver, then a small town at the foothills of the majestic Rockies, was passed through on the perilous return jouney back to civilization.

Mr. Barkley, with his parents, can be designated as true pioneers of Iowa, arriving in the Mississippi Valley in 1848, which was before Iowa became a state. They settled in what is now Linn county. His father's farm, several years later was platted and became the thriving town of Lisbon.

He was married to Miss Agnes Drumm in 1874 and continued residence near Shellsburg, Iowa, until 1883, when they emigated with their family to a tract of land now known as the Wm. Flamme farm southwest of town. The journey westward was made by train to Correctionville, which was the terminus of the Northwestern railroad at that time. As early settlers had to be practical, Elijah Barkley had at his command a great fund of common sense. By hard labor he was privileged to enjoy in old age the comforts associated with the reward of living a life well.

He was of sturdy stock, where advanced age is a proud boast. He is survived, besides his own children and grandchildren, by two brothers, Sanford and Simeon Barkley of California, both past 80 years old. Five boys of his family also lived to be past 80.

Obituary

Elijah King Barkley's life was like a long day's journey. That journey began in Linn County, Iowa on February 13, 1842. Eighty-nine years and two weeks later it came to a close. He died at the home of his son, O.K. Barkley, on Friday afternoon, February 27th.

In youth he attended country school. On March 26th, 1875 he was married to Miss Agnes Drumm. They made their home at Shellsburg, Iowa. In 1883 they came to Pierson, Iowa and located on a farm two and one-half miles southwest of town. In 1891 they moved to Grand Meadow township. In 1909 they retired from the farm and moved to Kingsley, Iowa. On March 19th, 1922, the wife died. Since that time he has had something of a lonely journey.

He united with the Providence Methodist church at the time it was organized. He was a faithful member, attending all the services regularly. After moving to Kingsley, he united with the Methodist church there. To Mr. and Mrs. Barkley there were born 12 children, seven boys and five girls. Three died in infancy. A beloved son, Howard, died on April 7th, 1913. Those who are left to mourn the father's going are: O.K. Barkley, of Pierson, Iowa; J.R. Barkley, of Vermilion, South Dakota; I.L. Barkley, of Ardmore, South Dakota; Mrs. O.C. Nicolls, of Mitchell, South Dakota; Mrs. John Peck, of Lake Andes, South Dakota; Miss Esther Barkley, of Omaha, Nebraska; Mrs. Guy Pixler and Mrs. Melvin Dearinger of Pierson, Iowa, all of which were present at the last sad rites. Also 30 grandchildren and three great grandchildren mourn his loss.

The funeral services were conducted from the O.K. Barkley home in Grand Meadow township on Sunday afternoon, March 1st, 1931. Rev. G.R. Gilbert gave the sermon. A beautiful part of the service was the music furnished by two granddaughters of the departed, the Misses Erma and Elma Barkley. They sang, "Abide With Me," and "God Be With You Till We Meet Again." Miss Ruth Broadie accompanied them at the piano. The tired body of this weary traveler was laid to rest by the side of his companion of life in Grand Meadow cemetery.