BARNES, Hiram (1817-1896

BARNES

Posted By: Kathy Weaver (email)
Date: 7/6/2017 at 12:28:23

Malvern Leader
Thursday
June 25, 1896

An Honored Citizen Gone

At his late home in Malvern on Wednesday afternoon, June 17, occurred the death of Mr. H. Barnes, after a most painful illness of something more than seven weeks duration. Few residents of the community were better known or numbered a larger circle of friends than did Squire Barnes, as he was commonly called. Coming to Malvern almost twenty-three years ago he was identified with every good interest of the community. For some years he was associated with his son-in-law, Dr. Roberts, in the mercantile business, and since then has been called by his fellow citizens to fill a number of important local offices, at the time of his death being a Justice of the Peace and also member of the Soldiers Relief Commission of the county. He was a faithful and consistent member of the Presbyterian church, always present at all services when his health would permit and ever taking a keen interest in the cause which lay so close to his heart. Deceased was also a member of the Masonic order, where his loyalty to the duties of this work won him a warm place in the heart of every brother. In the hour of his country’s peril he promptly responded to duty’s call and enlisted in the 47th Iowa, serving with the same fidelity and loyalty that was characteristic of him in all the walks of life. While honored and greatly respected by a wide circle of friends, for a consistent, upright, christian character, he was especially dear to his family for his tender, loving care. No parent could be kinder. To serve those he loved was his greatest delight, and his patience in the trying experiences that come to the head of a family was marvelous, even to those who loved him most. And his fortitude and patience in the last weeks of his life, filled as they were with such long days and nights of intense suffering, was a true exemplification of his christian profession. Every little kindly ministry was received with such acknowledgments of gratitude that to care for him was rendered a most pleasant duty, and his dear ones deemed it a privilege to anticipate and provide, so far as human skill and love could, for every desire. The funeral services at the Presbyterian church Thursday afternoon, despite the intense heat, were largely attended, his old neighbors and friends desiring thus to engage in publicly showing their respect for one whom they had intimately known and esteemed during life. The pastor spoke briefly of the character and life of the deceased and emphasized the necessity of being prepared for the great change that must come to all. The audience room of the church was profusely decorated with flowers wrought into many appropriate and beautiful designs. From the church, where the deceased had so long been a conspicuous member, the remains were followed to the cemetery by a large number of Masons, G.A. R.’s and other friends in carriages and on foot, and at the grave the beautiful and impressive ritual of the Masonic order was conducted, and as the sun was sinking in the west, all that was mortal of the loving husband, kind father and true friend, was tenderly laid to rest to await the joyful summons on the morning of the resurrection.

Hiram Barnes was born in Paris, Indiana, December 12, 1817. Removed to Appanoose county, Iowa, in 1856, and came to Malvern in October, 1873. He leaves a wife, one son and two daughters, all residents of Malvern, who have the tender sympathy of the community in their hour of sorrow.

NOTE: Civil War Veteran