Barker, Isaac, 1847-1929

BARKER, CHAMPENY

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/29/2012 at 08:53:47

DEATH CLAIMS ISAAC BARKER
Prominent Plymouth County Farmer Died Saturday
Had Farmed Southeast of Hawarden for More Than 44 Years.--Leaves Widow and Six Children

Isaac Barker, a highly respected pioneer resident of Plymouth county, fourteen miles southeast of Hawarden, died shortly after midnight Saturday morning [December 21], following a paralytic stroke which he suffered on Tuesday of last week. Mr. Barker had been a sufferer from rheumatism for many years and had scarcely been away from his house for the past ten years, although his condition was in no way regarded as critical until he suffered the stroke early last week.

Funeral services were held at the home at 1 o'clock Monday afternoon and at the Crathorne church at 2:30, conducted by Rev. Smith, the pastor. The funeral was one of the most largely attended ever held in that section and the profusion of floral offerings attested to the high esteem in which Mr. Barker was held by his friends and neighbors of many years' standing.

Isaac Barker was one of a family of twenty children. He was born in Barton on Humber, England, March 21, 1847, and died Dec. 21, 1929, at the advanced age of 82 years and 9 months. He came to America when 23 years of age and settled in Clinton county, Iowa. Forty-four years ago he came to Plymouth county and started farming one of the places which he still owned at the time of his death. He was united in marriage with Anne Champeny at LeMars June 13, 1888, and she has been his constant companion during the more than forty years which have elapsed since then.

Besides his widow he is survived by six children, William, Harry, Walter, Charles, Bessie and George. William, the eldest son, is married and lives on a neighboring farm, while all the other children are at home. He also leaves one grandson, Norman Barker, and one brother and one sister in England.

Mr. Barker was one of the best known and most highly successful farmers in this territory. He farmed on an extensive scale and prospered accordingly. He early recognized the unequaled value of good farm land in this territory and at his death was the owner of 1,100 acres of Plymouth and Sioux county land, besides nearly 2,000 acres of farm land in South Dakota. One of his outstanding traits of character was loyalty to his friends and his ever good sportsmanship. He was able to take reverses in the same cheerful spirit which characterized him in success. In his death many residents of the community have lost a true and tried friend and his family a kind and benevolent husband and father.

Relatives from a distance who attended the funeral included Mrs. A. F. Wilson and George and Bennie Barker of Correctionville, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Bride and son Edward, Mrs. Daisy Lyle, Miss Margaret Lyle and Mr. and Mrs. Lee Bride of Kingsley, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Champeny, Misses Charlotte and Pauline Champeny, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Champeny and Miss Minnie Champeny of Ames, Iowa.

Source: Hawarden Independent, December 26, 1929.