Martin Barlow 1814-1891

BARLOW, LONG, BURNETT, CREEL

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 2/17/2013 at 21:18:23

The Afton Enterprise
Afton, Iowa
July 16, 1891

OBITUARY

Martin Barlow was born near Millersburg, Nicholas county, Kentucky, December 26, 1814, died at Afton, Ia., July 12, 1891. Aged 76 years 6 months and 17 days. When 20 years of age, he went to Indianopolis, Ind., and remained in that vicinity about 5 years. From there to Farmington, Fulton Co., Ill., where he built a small shop and engaged in the blacksmith trade. Being in stringent circumstances financially, it was a usual occurrence for him to walk to Canton (12 miles) purchase iron and carry it home on his back. May 18, 1837 was married to Miss Ann Long. In course of time he disposed of his possessions in Farmington for a tract of land 5 miles southeast of that place and engaged in farming in which he was very successful. While there his wife died, December 3d, 1861. September 18, 1862 he was married to Miss Sarah Burnett, who still survives him. Of the last union there were four children, Bell who died April 20, 1885, Mrs. Clara Creel, of Friend, Neb., Anna Barlow who was born July the 23d, 1863 and died December 2d, 1864 and son William. In 1864 he sold his farm and removed to Farmington and remained there until 1882, when they moved to Union county.

HIs love for hunting and dogs was above the average. He passed many nights in the heavy timber between his home and the Illinois river, chasing wolves, coons, etc. Although rough in his way, there never was an action that would harm any one. On the contrary, when the poor needed help they went to him. When the rich wished to enhance their wealth they applied to him for assistance, and as in many other instances his friends were his enemies.

The people of Afton did not know Old Man Barlow. About eight years previous to his coming here the final crash came and unnerved him for any business thereafter; his hopes were crushed, his confidence in humanity lost, all was gone, at one fell stroke he was financially wrecked. His word was his bond, good at any bank, woth 100 cents on the dollar. But, Alas! the Change! The same old story; the drama of every day life. Prosperity--Annihilation. That heart which is now stilled in death, which beat kindly for those who worked upon his confidence to beat or to break--those hands which now lie silent in the grave signed the last document to help a friend which, in a short time, wrenched from himself and family $10,000. the writer has experienced the bitter pangs of adversity, and my pen runs wild with enthusiasm on this subject. there is no doubt but there are men walking on our streets to-day asking a penny to drown their sorrow when, if the straight line was drawn, they would be independent or miillionaires--as well ask the grave to give up its talented dead and to recall one particle of the irredemmalbe past. The subject of our sketch allowed the serpent of Debt, in the shape of security, to coil itself around him and in one unsuspecting moment paralyzed an active brain for business, a man of powerful mind, kept his own counsel, he stood on the precipice of disaster where many men jump off. In the wisdom of his kindness he made some mistakes, and on his broad back he carried many a thankless load.

Peace to his imperishable clay.

[buried Greenlawn cem]