Home > United States of America > Iowa > Story County > Nevada > Nevada Municipal Cemetery > Charles Stephen Decatur Barker

Charles Stephen Decatur Barker

View larger map

Birth	:	7 Aug 1855 Steuben County, New York, USA
Death	:	19 Feb 1940 Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Nevada Municipal Cemetery, Nevada, Story County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.0215683, -93.4610672
Plot	:	Block 11, Row 4, Plot 28. Lot 24
Description	:	From Nevada Evening Journal February 20, 1940 (page 1) C. D. Barker, County Pioneer, Is Dead Today Charles D. Barker, 84, pioneer Union township citizen, died at the Iowa Lutheran hospital in Des Moines Monday evening at about 11 o'clock, from complications incident to his advanced years. Mr. Barker whose health had been fairly good until the last 2 years, had been failing recently had submitted to an operation for prostate trouble and for the past few weeks his condition had been realized as critical. Death was due to a heart attack. The funeral rites are... Read More	From Nevada Evening Journal February 20, 1940 (page 1) C. D. Barker, County Pioneer, Is Dead Today Charles D. Barker, 84, pioneer Union township citizen, died at the Iowa Lutheran hospital in Des Moines Monday evening at about 11 o'clock, from complications incident to his advanced years. Mr. Barker whose health had been fairly good until the last 2 years, had been failing recently had submitted to an operation for prostate trouble and for the past few weeks his condition had been realized as critical. Death was due to a heart attack. The funeral rites are to be held Thursday afternoon, Feb. 22 at 2 p. m., at the Bishop Funeral Home, and burial will be in the Nevada cemetery. The story of the life of Mr. Barker is one of interest and covers much of the history of Story county. Born on a farm in Steuben county, New York, Aug. 7, 1855, he spent his childhood days there and went to school in the old schoolhouse where both of his parents had attended and which is still standing. The building is over 100 years old, and still used for school purposes. When Charles, or "C. D." as he became known, was a lad of ten years, the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Barker sold their New York state home and with a party of relatives and neighbors set out westward, there being seven prairie schooners and a considerable amount of livestock in the wagon train. The trip to Iowa took nearly the entire summer and "C. D." recalled many interesting evens on the trip. Telling of the trip, he said, "Much of Illinois was not settled and in Iowa, west of the Mississippi, which was crossed on a raft, there was nothing much but wild prairie--no bridges and little in the way of roads." Reaching the then village of Nevada, they stopped and the father rented a cabin to house his family while the rest of the party in the train went on the Kossuth county, where they might homestead land. Jesse Barker, Sr. finally bought a farm in Union township, where he established himself, raised his family, and finally died. There the home was established, a large residence was erected and one of the features was what was then known as Barker's hall; where the young people of community gathered for dances and other social activities. It was there that the subject of this sketch grew to manhood. He was married Emily Eastman in 1878 and they established their home on a farm nearby the old homestead, and it was there that their children were born and raised. The children are Ada Ray of Des Moines, Angie Gutekunst of State Center, Alta Maxwell of Albert Lea, Minn., Leslie who lives on the old Barker homestead, Jesse who had lived with and made a home for the father during the later years and Arthur who was accidentally killed by a falling three a few years ago. Son Otto Ralph died in infancy. He also leaves 13 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Mrs. Barker passed away Dec. 17, 1931. During his more active years, Mr. Barker did much traveling, takin a long trip almost every year, and upon the majority of these occasions was accompanied by his wife. The last 7 years before the death of Mrs. Barker, their winters were spent in Florida. But a few years ago he stated, "Yes I have been in every state in the union, every province in Canada from Quebec to Vancouver, was 1500 miles up in Alaska; going over the famous "White Pass" where hundreds lost their lives during the Klondike rush. I have also made one trip to Cuba and sever over into Old Mexico." From History of Story County, Iowa (Vol. 2) Charles D. Barker, a prominent and wealthy agriculturist of Union township, is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of Story county's most valuable land. His birth occurred in the state of New York on the 7th of August, 1855, his father being Jesse Barker, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work. He was reared at home and in the common schools acquired his education. When about twenty-three years of age he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, cultivating rented land for a short time. About 1880 he purchased eighty acres of his present home farm, paying but fifteen hundred dollars for the tract. He has since placed many substantial improvements on the property, including a modern and attractive residence and other necessary buildings. As his financial resources have increased he has added to his holdings until they now embrace three hundred and twenty acres of very valuable and productive land. His farm is well drained, for he recently laid fifteen thousand tile. Following progressive and practical methods in the conduct of his agricultural interests, he has won a gratifying measure of success and is widely recognized as a prosperous and leading resident of the community. Mr. Barker has traveled a great deal, having made extended trips, almost yearly and visiting nearly every state in the Union as well as Mexico, Canada, Cuba and British Columbia. In the winter of 1910-11 he visited the Isthmus of Panama. Being a keen observer, he has greatly benefited by his sojourns in different parts of America and possesses that knowledge and culture which only travel can bring. He is an expert with the camera and has many interesting views of the countries through which he has traveled. While away from home he has been a regular contributor to the local papers and his articles have attracted wide and favorable attention. On the 31st of August, 1878, Mr. Barker was united in marriage to Miss Emily Eastman, of Union township, Story county, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Jane (Ball) Eastman. Her father was killed at New Orleans during the Civil war. Unto our subject and his wife have been born seven children, six of whom are yet living, as follows: Ada May, the wife of Frank Ray, of Indian Creek township, this county; Angie Ordell; Arthur Clinton; Leslie; Jesse; and Alta V. G. Mr. Barker is a republican in politics but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. During a long residence in this county he has become widely known and is a man of many friends. His life history proves what may be accomplished by determined and honorable purpose. He has based his business principles and actions upon the rules which govern strict and unswerving integrity and industry and thus he has gained his present enviable position in the ranks of the leading citizens of Story county.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Charles Stephen Decatur Barker's memorial?
Charles Stephen Decatur Barker's memorial is located at: Nevada Municipal Cemetery, Nevada, Story County, USA.
When did Charles Stephen Decatur Barker death?
Charles Stephen Decatur Barker death on 19 Feb 1940 in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Charles Stephen Decatur Barker's memorial?
Latitude: 42.0215683
Longitude: -93.4610672

Family Members:

Parent

Jesse Barker

(1828 - 1916)

Elizabeth Mary Brown Barker

(1830 - 1913)

Spouse

Emily Ann Eastman Barker

(1862 - 1931)

Siblings

Alice Floratine Barker

(1859 - 1903)

Nora Josephine Barker

(1862 - 1902)

Delphine Barker Bennett

(1864 - 1942)

Eugene Barker

(1865 - 1926)

Frank Arthur Barker

(1870 - 1905)

Children

Ada May Barker Ray

(1885 - 1961)

Angelina Ordella “Angie” Barker Gutekunst

(1887 - 1972)

Arthur Clinton Barker

(1889 - 1926)

Frank “Leslie” Barker

(1893 - 1965)

Jesse R Barker

(1896 - 1972)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Nevada Municipal Cemetery
Nevada, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0215683, -93.4610672

2. Saint Patricks Cemetery
Nevada, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0233803, -93.4629364

3. Evergreen Memory Gardens
Nevada, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0424995, -93.4682999

4. Knoll Cemetery
Nevada, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0489006, -93.4869003

5. Pleasant Run Cemetery
Nevada, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9864006, -93.4060974

6. Mound Cemetery
Nevada, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9899520, -93.3691480

7. Murphy Cemetery
Richland Township, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0569000, -93.3672028

8. Bloomington Cemetery
Ames, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0466573, -93.5852182

9. Woodland Cemetery
Iowa Center, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9324989, -93.4064026

10. Oak Hill Cemetery
Richland Township, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0891991, -93.3550034

11. Ames Municipal Cemetery
Ames, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0301208, -93.6061249

12. Pleasant Grove Cemetery
Ames, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1063740, -93.5614370

13. Saint James Cemetery
Colo, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0088997, -93.3099976

14. Colo Cemetery
Colo, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0181808, -93.3083420

15. Story Memorial Gardens
Ames, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9933014, -93.6112976

16. McMichael Cemetery
Ames, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0852203, -93.5915833

17. Arrasmith Cemetery
Franklin Township, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0855600, -93.5913900

18. First Christian Church Columbarium
Ames, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0270500, -93.6174100

19. Walnut Grove Cemetery
Ames, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9468994, -93.5903015

20. Cambridge Cemetery
Cambridge, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 41.9067600, -93.5424400

21. Maxwell Cemetery
Maxwell, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8950500, -93.3996900

22. Sheffield Cemetery
Howard Township, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1369020, -93.5585790

23. Saint Thomas Aquinas Columbarium
Ames, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0224370, -93.6450840

24. Saint Johns Episcopal Church Columbarium
Ames, Story County, USA
Coordinate: 42.0224100, -93.6481040