Barton Family of Early Nobles County
Friday,
February 23, 1906
Worthington Advance
A Great Social Gathering at Spofford.
On Monday last, friends and neighbors from far and near, bringing with them an abundance of choicest provisions and gallons of the finest ice cream gathered at the home of Mrs. W.C. Barton, tendering them a complete and cheerful surprise.
Mrs. Barton was equal to the occasion and her generous nature responded nobly in giving to each and every one a hearty welcome. As friends and neighbors we respectfully regarded the occasion with more than usual interest, since they who once owned it are now about to depart from among us.
In the year 1873, Peter Barton came west with his wife and family from his Wisconsin home and began the building of a home on these sparsely settled prairies. Mr. and Mrs. Barton possessed the characteristics common to the early pioneers viz: that energy of youth, that integrity of purpose, and that in firm and resolute daring to battle against the hardships of pioneer life.
In those days the farming was done almost entirely with oxen, so the settlers labored long and hard to maintain a livelihood; yet so wisely did they plan and so diligently did they devote themselves to the pursuits of farming and stock raising, that they soon surrounded themselves with such evidences of thrift as fertile fields and lowing herds. Mr. Barton suffered as did the other settlers from the grasshopper plague, but like many others obtained ready and convenient relief and support from his herds. He worked on, cheerfully improving his surroundings, planting trees and increasing his fields and herds, but scarcely had he enjoyed the fruits of his industry ere the Master called him to his rest. Mr. Barton was a devoted christian, a kind father and a peace-loving man. We feel assured that he builded well.
The duties of the farm now devolved upon the wife and six children. The manual labor of the farm was now performed by her sons, F.A. and W.C. Barton and they conducted the farming in this way for a space of two years after the father's death, or until the year 1880. Mrs. Barton continued to live upon the old homestead where she now resides, with the exceptions of a visit to Tacoma, Washington for a year and a half and some other visits to Illinois, Wisconsin and South Dakota, she has lived there continually. She has always lived a true christian, and has been a remarkable influence for good both far and near and her peaceful and loving nature has endeared her to the hearts of many until the name, Grandma Barton is spoken with praise and admiration by all who know her.
In the year 1880, W.C. Barton, the younger of the two sons, married Miss Hattie Pope of Martin Co., and located upon the old homestead, began life together. They greatly improved the homestead by planting a beautiful orchard, and other trees for adornment and protection, by adding new and convenient buildings, by adding a large and beautiful herd of sheep, and by increasing their herd of cattle. Mr. Barton believed in raising stock, and was especially given to raising good horses. Mr. and Mrs. Barton prospered in farming the old place and did so well that in a few year they purchased the quarter section adjoining them on the west, thus making them a beautiful half section farm. Mr. W.C. Barton died about five years ago, and his sons have carried on the farming since then under the direction of his son Will. Mr. and Mrs. Barton's family consisted of three sons and two daughters all of whom are at home except Oscar who resides at Zion City. These young people are all highly respected in our community and will be greatly missed in all our social and religious functions. Miss Ethel is a young lady of rare attainments, and her winsome manners have won for her a host of friends. She has presided as church organist for a number of years and certainly filled the position well. Mrs. W.C. Barton is a kind christian woman and her zeal for the advancement of christianity never flagged and in caring for the sick she never wearied, and in and out of the community her conduct stands unimpeachable.
The above is but a fragmentary account of this Godfearing, peace loving home. The event will long be remembered as one of the grandest occasions of its kind yet occurring in the town of Ewington. It was a beautiful expression of good will and sympathy toward these good people, and the tender loving farewells are stamped indellibly upon our minds. These people are going to settle in Zion City, Ill. They have chosen that place as their home because of the excellent religious training and the fine facilities for education found there.
Below are the names of those who attended the party. Mr. and Mrs. abe Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Silas Pope, Mr. and Mrs. B.W. Pope, Mr. and Mrs. J.N. Dodge, Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Spafford, Mr. and Mrs. G.H. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. John Kallem, Mr. and Mrs. O.P. Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Chris Larson, Mr. and Mrs. Otis Hankin, Mrs. Helen Pigman, Mrs. Emma E. Gehrke, Mrs. Cordes, Mrs. Elizabeth Knuth, Mrs. Andrew Gorrie, Mr. M. Baumann, Mrs. John Katus, Williard Murphy, Clara Katus, F.A. Spafford, Agnes C. Murphy, Mary Gunther, Susie Barton, Anna Kallem; Martie Barton, Emma Katus, Lena Mittlestadt, Abbe Kallem, Edna Anderson, Will A. Barton, Walter Spafford, Vera Murphy, Irene Smith, Jennie Smith, Lela Murphy, Paul Smith, Ella Kallem, Clarence Smith, Mildred Smith, Rosy Pigman, Orvie Anderson, Hazel Anderson, Gladys Anderson, Arthur Pope, Luman Barton, Ethel M. Barton.