BENJAMIN DARST BARGER

Benjamin Darst Barger, who passed away in 1912 at Le Roy, was for twelve years associated with the local bank and for five years preceding his demise was the owner of the institution. Before turning his attention to banking he was engaged extensively in the stock business and he was widely known throughout the county and esteemed wherever known. His birth occurred in Rockbridge county, Virginia, April 4, 1864. His father was educated for the Presbyterian ministry but never preached, devoting his tie to agricultural pursuits instead. After removing from the east he first located in Missouri but soon afterward took up his abode upon a small farm in Lucas county, Iowa, northeast of Le Roy. He was also postmaster for a number of years and held that office at the time of his death. His wife is also deceased.

Benjamin D. Barger was eight years of age when he accompanied his parents to Missouri and was still a child when the family home was established in Lucas county, this state. He received his education in the public schools and was reared under the parental roof, assisting his father with the work of the homestead. Following his marriage he devoted his time to buying and shipping stock, particularly horses, and he became one of the most successful stockmen in the county. In 1890 he removed to Le Roy and in 1900 became cashier of the local bank. He proved very efficient in that position and under his direction the affairs of the institution were in a most prosperous condition. In 1907 he became the owner of the bank and his wife took up the duties of assistant cashier. They consulted each other in deciding questions relative to the management of the bank and worked together in the greatest harmony. Mr. Barger had an extensive acquaintance in the county and his ability and integrity were universally acknowledged. He passed away on the 13^th of June, 1912, and Le Roy thus lost one of its leading citizens.

Mr. Barger was married in 1884 to Miss Julia Spridgen, whose birth occurred in Lucas county, Iowa, in 1861, and who is a daughter of William and Elizabeth Spridgen, natives of Lincolnshire, England. Her parents were married in that shire and remained there until 1851, when they emigrated to America, locating first in Ohio, whence they went to Indiana, where they resided until their removal to Lucas county, Iowa. In 1862 the father enlisted in the Union army and died while in the service, in a hospital at St. Louis. He is interred in the National cemetery of that city. His widow resided upon the farm until about four years before her demise, when she removed to Le Roy. She reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years, passing away on the 21^st of April, 1913. She was a Methodist in her religious belief, as was her husband. To their union were born five children, three of whom grew to maturity, but only Mrs. Barger and a brother are now living. Mr. And Mrs. Barger became the parents of a son, Elbern, who died when about nine years of age.

Mr. Barger was a democrat but never desired public office as a reward for party loyalty. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has many friends in those organizations. In his early manhood he belonged to the Baptist church but he attended the Presbyterian church. He was a very generous man and could always be depended upon to do his share in furthering worthy public enterprises. He began his independent career with no capital and through his own well directed efforts and those of his wife, who is a good business woman, he accumulated a considerable fortune and was recognized as one of the well-to-do men of Decatur county. He possessed excellent judgment, could readily determine the value of a proposition and was aggressive and resourceful, - qualities that do much to insure success in any line of endeavor. Mrs. Barger owns a comfortable home and two productive farms which she leases, one comprising one hundred and sixty acres and the other one hundred acres. She and Mr. Barger lived together for twenty-eight years and their married life was one of unusually close companionship and of community of interests.