John O. Barke (1850-1921)

BARKE, NELSON, KROEZE, COLE, OLSON, TYSDAL

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:12

From The Roland Record, Roland, Story County, Iowa, Thursday January 27, 1921.

Death of J. O. Barke

Word was received here Tuesday that J. O. Barke of Fergus Falls, Minn., had passed away quite suddenly at his home at that place.

Mr. Barke was a former resident of this place but moved to Fergus Falls a number of years ago where he practiced his profession, attorney at law.

From The Roland Record, Roland, Story County, Iowa, Thursday February 24, 1921. (Mostly quoting Fergus Falls Journal, Fergus Falls, Minnesota.)

OBITUARY

John O. Barke

This community was saddened Monday evening by the death of Mr. J. O. Barke, who has been one of its best and most highly respected citizens for the past forty years. Mr. Barke has been in failing health for two years, and death while not entirely unexpected, is a sad blow to his family and to the city in which he has so long made his home. He underwent two operations about two years ago, but never fully recovered his health. Pernicious anemia had been developing and was the ultimate cause of his death. He was able to be up and about until last Tuesday, when he took a turn for the worse and he has been slowly sinking since that time. He lost consciousness and passed to the life beyond at 6:55 in the evening. He has been a patient sufferer during his illness and his death, as befitted his life, was calm and peaceful.

John O. Barke was born at Stavanger, Norway, Nov. 12, 1850, and came to the United States in the month of May, 1870, settling first in Story county, Iowa. He attended Luther college at Decorah, Iowa, the North Missouri State Normal school and later the Drake University at Des Moines, Iowa, graduating from the law department of the last name institution in 18808 and coming to Fergus Falls in August of that year. He immediately opened a law office here and has practiced law ever since. He has been interested in various business enterprises.He was married Feb. 14, 1882, his bride being Miss Bertha Nelson of Cambridge, Iowa, who survives him. He is also survived by 4 children: Miss Josephine, who is a member of the faculty of the Moorhead Normal; Arthur, who is engaged in the bond brokerage business at Denver, Col.; Ralph J., who is in partnership with his father here, and Mrs. H. A. Kroeze, formerly Miss Gladys Barke, now of Jackson, Miss. Another son, Owen, died in 1914.

Mr. Barke wsa a member of the First English Lutheran church of this city and was an earnest Christian. He was actively interested in the affairs of the church and of every other institution that meant the upbuilding and moral development of the city. He took an active part in securing the location of the Park Region Luther college here and was secretary of the college corporation from its establishment until he resigned because of failing health a few months ago. He was vice president of the American State bank of this city up to the time of his death and was alderman from the third ward several years ago. He was the type of citizen that this or any other city can ill afford to lose. - Fergus Falls Journal.

Relatives of Mr. Barke at this place are: Mrs. Ove Barke, Mrs. I. M. Cole, Josie Olson, Dr. O. B. Olson, Arthur Olson and Rexford Tysdal.