Mary G. Barnard Murphy 1848 - 1931

BARNARD, HANSCOM, MURPHY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 11/8/2020 at 02:24:28

Onawa Democrat
5 March 1931

Mary G. Barnard was born May 24, 1848 at Bellaire, Ohio, where she lived with her parents until 11 years of age when they moved to Wauken, Allamakee County, Iowa, then a frontier community and trading post. Here she grew to womanhood and was united in marriage to Watson R. Hanscom November 10, 1869.

Immediately after their marriage they moved to Monona County, Iowa where they settled on a farm in the Maple river Valley near Castana, Iowa.

Here they lived several years experiencing the hardships and difficulties of pioneers. They then moved to Onawa, Iowa where they lived until the death of Mr. Hanscom in August 1879.

To this union was born four children, Emma Jean, Gusta M., Lottie M., and Watson R. Hanscom.

Shortly following the death of Mr. Hanscom, she moved with her family back to the farm near Castana where she lived until March 1908.

In July 1883 she was united in marriage to Frank Murphy to which union there was born one child, Ethel S. In the year 1908 she and Mr. Murphy moved to a farm near Monowl, Nebraska where they lived until 1921 when they again moved westward to Dallas, South Dakota. Here she resided until October 1930 when she came again to Monona County, Iowa and was shortly taken sick and passed away at Onawa, Iowa, February 27, 1931 at the age of 82 years 9 months 3 days.

Mrs. Murphy experienced the distinction of thrice removing from settled districts to frontier communities and molded a character of staunch integrity facing problems and difficulties bravely and confidentially. A kind and loving wife and mother, she leaves to mourn her loss her husband, Frank Murphy and her children, four of whom are living. Gusta M. Hoadley and family of Long Beach, California, Lottie M. Ryan and family and Watson R. Hanscom and family in Kennebec, South Dakota, and Ethel S. Bouslaugh and family of Castana, Iowa together with many old friends and Neighbors.

Funeral services were held on Monday, March 2 at 1:00 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home. Rev. Thomas Batho, Minister.

Interment was at the Onawa Cemetery. Music was given by Mrs. William Rowles and Mrs. T. Gossard, with Mrs. Hamer at the piano.