Martha T. Barrus Summoned Home

One of Western Wyoming's Greatest Educators Died in Fairview Last Sunday

(By Lettie D. Campbell)
After a brief illness of acute pneumonia, Mrs. Martha A. Barrus,beloved wife of Emery Barrus of Fairview, passed away at her ho me in Fairview Sunday November 16th, at 1 o'clock p.m. The best medical aid obtainable was had and all that loving hands could do was done. the end came suddenly and unexpectedly. By her bed-side were her husband and all the children except Mariner, who was in the hills hunting, Orlo who is working in Tooele and foster, who was in attendance at the state University at Laramie. They were summoned and returned home in time for the funeral.
Martha Tolman Barrus was born fifty-two years ago, her birth occurring at Tooele, Utah, July 28, 1887. Her noble parents, Cyrus Tolman and Margaret Utley Tolman endowed her with a healthy body with more than ordinary spiritual and intellectual capacity. She received her education in the public schools of Tooele and attended the B.Y.U. of Provo, graduating from the Normal course and emburing in a great degree the spirit of the great instructor, Carl Maeser, whi was her instructor.
She was happily married to Emery Barrus september 20, 1888. six sons and two daughters all of whom are living blessed this union. Mr. and Mrs. Barrus came to Star Valley thirty-one years ago and have ever been progressive and useful citizens, their work and influence being felt for good.
Margaret T. Barrus served in many positions of trust and prominence which she faithfully filled. She was a worker in the Stake Primaries for more then 25 years, being president most of that time. We all acknowledge that she was greatly influential in bringing about, the consolidation of the schools of Star Valley without which there could have been no high school. she was one of the first directors of the school District 19, As a school teacher several terms in Afton, Osmond and Fairview at which place she was teaching when she became ill. as a patriot she was true blue, of which her activities in the Red Cross, during the great war will testify. The success of the Fair in the fall of 1919 is a lasting memory to her name. Two sons, Foster and Osmond, did creditable work overseas.
At the time of her death she was president of the Fairview Primary and Superintendent of the Religion Class.
Funeral services were held as follows in the ward house at Fairview, Wednesday at 2 p.m. Counselor Charles Brown in charge with Chorister Harry Croft conduction the singing, the opening hymn being "Through Deepening Trails Throng Your Way, Press On Press On Ye Saints of God, ctc."
Prayer offered by A.R. Kennington.
A solo "Paradise" was then beautifully sung by Mrs.Elden Allred, accompanied by Gladys Allred on the piano and Harvey Allred with the cello.
President Clarence Gardner affectionately referred to the departed as his first teacher in the little log school house in Afton. Eulogized her memory as a mother, saint and teacher.
Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Hood and Miss Annie Hood, accompanied by Mrs. Lettie D. Campbell at the organ, feelingly sang "The Teachers Work is Done".
Counselor Arthur Burton payed glowing tribute to the many virtues in the life of the deceased.
Among other things Louis C. Jensen said "I respect Martha Barrus because she was a woman of good deeds," Extorted those present, to follow the marked example of the departed and make the most of life.
Patriarch Thos. Walton quoted "Blessed are they who die in the Lord, for they shall enter into rest." Her salvation and rest are sure. She has gone before to prepare a welcome in Our Father's Mansion for her husband and loved ones.
Verses of love and sympathy which were presented with the profuse and beautiful floral offerings which literally covered the casket and space surrounding it, were read by Mrs. Eliza Bagley.
A mixed double quartet rendered "Oh My Father" as a closing hymn
Benediction was offered by Louis C. Jensen.
Among those present besides members of the immediate famioy were President Clarence Gardner first counselor Arthur Burton, second counselor Albert Barrus (brother-in-law_ who obtained a release from the jury to be present, officers of the Stake Board of the Relief Society, President and other members of the Stake Primary, President and workers of the Y.L.M.I.A. of the Stake, Louis C. Jensen and Supt. Robinson representing the School Board, Heber D. Clark of the High School Faculty, Mrs. G. L. Barstow, Mrs. Lillian Clark teachers of Afton district school and several children of last years school of which Mrs. Barrus was teacher. The complete corp of teachers and students of the Fairview school, Patriarch Thos. Walton and hosts of neighbors and friends.
Six stalwart sons acted as pall bearers.
The remains were placed in the Fairview cemetery Heber D. Clark dedicating the grave by prayer where beneath mother earth and a profusion of beautiful flowers symbolic of the love and respect held for her, lies the body of Martha T. Barrus, mother, teacher, patriot and saint.

To Our Dear Mother
Mother we have always loved you with the true love of a devoted family. You have a claim to this love because you were our mother, but a greater claim to our lasting love you will always have because of your noble life and the beautiful truths you taught us. As a teacher you were ever our guide to the better things in life, and as a mother we have always found comfort and security in your sweet kindness and protection.
It is hard to know why you were called to leave us just in the prime of life, but we shall find comfort i believing that you are called to some greater work, in a better world than ours.
The Master has been kind in giving you to us for even a short while,but we feel our loss the more because of your tender kindness and your wonderful mother's love and somehow, mother, we will always

Barrus, Martha A (21 Nov 1919) Star Valley Independent

Martha Ann TOLMAN is the daughter of Cyrus Hewett TOLMAN and Margret Elizabeth UTLEY
Martha Ann TOLMAN married Emery Freeman BARRUS 20 Sep 1888 in Logan, Cache, Ut