CATHERINE ANN DENNING (1844-1923)

BARKER, BECK, CRAWFORD, DENNING, DOWNING, TROSTLE, UTT, WARNER

Posted By: Volunteer Paul French
Date: 1/11/2006 at 21:00:53

“MOTHER”

Catherine Ann Denning, daughter of John and Abigail Denning, was born near Mt. Zion, Iowa, Van Buren county, Dec. 22, 1844. Being one of the eight children of this sturdy pioneer family, she doubtless knew many of the hardships along with the joys which made life worth while. In her childhood, as it were, at the age of 14 years she accepted Christ as her personal Savior, uniting with the Presbyterian church at Winchestor and has followed Him all the way – lo! These many years. When she was a maiden of 17 years the Civil War broke out. After its turmoils were all over and our boys in blue were again in the ranks of domestic life, then it was that her soldier brave claimed her as his bride and she was united in marriage to John T. Barker at her home in Mt. Zion, Jan. 31, 1866.

After her marriage they moved to Davis county, settling on the farm which continued to be the family home. Here her eight children were born, and (with the exception of baby Emma Jane, the oldest, who died at the age of 6 months,) were reared to manhood and womanhood. The children are her daughter, Mrs. Sarah Utt of near Bloomfield, and six sons, Henry, Harry, John, Jesse, Joseph and Charles, all of whom reside near the old home except Henry who lives at Galesburg, Ill. As a result of the hardships of war Mr. Barker’s health was impaired; so necessarily the duties and cares of Mrs. Barker’s family fell heavily on her shoulders. She never wavered but carried bravely on; caring for her family and afflicted husband until death claimed him and the Heavenly Father took him home Oct. 14, 1907.

Then in their turn her family have comforted and cared for her through the years of her widowhood and old age and were ever ready and willing to do everything for her comfort during her lingering illness which had been of more than three months duration. But her Master hath said “it is enough.” Her sufferings ceased April 2, 1923, at 6 a. m., and she hath gone to that rest eternal, at the ripe old age of 78 years, 3 months and 11 days, where no more partings or sad farewells ever are spoken.

When Mrs. Barker came to Davis county she united with the Bethel M. E. church at Chequest and is one of its oldest members. She is survived by her seven children: Mrs. Henry Utt, Bloomfield; W. H. of Galesburg, Ill.; J. H., J. T., J. F., J. A. and C. W., all of Floris. Twenty grandchildren, six Great-grandchildren, three sisters, Mrs. Mary Crawford, Memphis, Mo.; Mrs. Melissa Beck, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Mrs. Abigail Warner, Bloomfield, Io.; two brothers, Mr. Johathan Denning, Douds-Leando, Io, and Washington Denning, Bosworth, Mo.

Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, April 4, 2 p. m., at the Bethel M. E. church (Chequest) with Rev. Trostle of Troy in charge. Scripture lesson 90th Psalm. A touching solo “My Mother’s Own Beautiful Hands” was most beautifully rendered by Prof. William Downing of Lawrence, Kansas.

Services both at the church and the grave were very largely attended. The body was laid to rest at the Rouch cemetery, beside her companion. Dewey Barker, Eugene Barker, Ross Utt, Harley Barker, Edward Barker and Otto Church, six grandsons, acted as pallbearers.

Source: undated newspaper clipping with no source cited contained in “Family History” of the Barker, Sherod, and Forbes families and descendants compiled by Bernadine Forbes Clark, December 1980.