Barr, Grant 1872-1958

BARR, BROWN, GELINAS

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/7/2025 at 23:31:38

Note: His mother's maiden name is Brown.

RITES HELD LAST WEEK FOR PIONEER AKRON RESIDENT

Grant Barr Was One Of The First White Children To Be Born In Akron

In these columns last week brief mention was made of the death of one of Akron’s earliest pioneers, Grant Barr on Monday, August 18, at 12:15 noon, at University Hospitals, Iowa City, Iowa, following a major operation for amputation of a limb, at the age of 86 years, 6 months and 7 days.

Mr. Barr suffered a stroke at his home here four years ago and spent the last two years with his wife, Laura, in the Leads Nursing Home, Sioux City, where he became ill about two weeks ago and was taken to the hospital.

Grant Barr was born February 11, 1872, in Akron (then Portlandville) Iowa, and was the last surviving son of Harvey and Bebe Bar, who were among the early pioneer settlers of this area. The parents came to Portlandville from Ohio in 1809. Mrs. Barr was the first woman resident of Portlandville, making the trip here by ox-team.

Grant Barr and Laura Mamie Gelinas, of Sioux City, Iowa, were married December 25, 1894, and to their union seven children were born, the first child passing away at birth. There were four sons and two daughters, one daughter, Mrs. Zepherine Lupi, of Kenosha, Wis., preceding her father in death in 1950.

For many years engaged in house moving and carpenter work, he was widely known in the surrounding territory and well like for his jovial disposition.

Left to mourn his departure are his wife, Laura; four sons, Velton, of Akron; Garvia of Hawarden, Ia.; DeCelle of Kenosha, Wis.; Bruaseau, of Evanston, Ill.; one daughter, Mrs. Leonide Murray, of Kenosha, Wis.; 15 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death besides his parents were the daughter above mentioned; two sisters, Mrs. C. H. Maxson and Mrs. Bert Port and four brothers, Frank, Marion, Marion, Major and Ora.

Funeral services were held here last Thursday forenoon at the Rossow Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Williams, of Hawarden officiating. Serving as pallbearers were V. G. Adams, Calvin Anderson, Dan Blake, Roy Neilsen, Orian C. Moore and Albert Elliott. Interment was in Riverside cemetery.

Out of town relatives and friends in attendance were: Mr. and Mrs. DeCelle Barrr of Kenosha, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Barr and son, Roger of Evanston, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. James Murray (grandchildren) of Kenosha; Garvia Barr of Hawarden; Mr. and Mrs. Orville Port and family of Sioux City; Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Burke of Snohomish, Wash.; Mr. and Mrs. Harley D. Small and the Calhoom family, of Sioux City; Irving Serman, of Leeds Nursing Home, Sioux City.

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, August 28, 1958
Akron, Iowa