From an original clipping, probably from the Carthage Republican.

John A. Barr was born in Breckenridge county, Kentucky, Feb. 17th, 1848, and died at his home near Ft. Green, April 20th, 1916, after a lingering illness of more than a year of that dread disease, tuberculosis, aged 68 years, 2 months and 3 days. In order of birth he was the eighth child out of a family of twelve children born to Elias and Sallie Beauchamp Barr. His father was of German descent and a native of Kentucky. His mother was of French descent and also born in Kentucky. The surviving members of his father's family are, G. W. Barr of Dallas City, Ill.; Mrs. Elmira Hurdle of LaHarpe; Mrs. Sarah E. Wright of Peoria; Mrs. M. T. Bross, of Prescott, Iowa; Mr. Frank P. Barr, of Clarinda, Iowa; Mrs. D. C. Showers, of Phoenix, Arizona.

In 1859 at the age of 11 years, he came with his parents to this county, settling in Rock Creek township. His father's family at this time consisted of eleven children, five boys and six girls; and it is needless to say that the subject of this sketch was brought up with a full realization of pioneer life. However, being naturally a bright boy he was given the privilege of the then meager public school and later was sent to LaHarpe seminary where he graduated with honors. It was at this time that the choice of his life work was made, and he at once entered the college of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, and received his diploma from that institution in 1875; not being content with this splendid record, he went to Philadelphia, Pa., where he entered the Jefferson Medical College, and two years later, 1877, once more received his diploma and went forth into the world one of the best informed and most learned physicians of his day.

He located at Burnside, Ill., where he owned a beautiful home and followed his profession for over four years. Then he was married Feb. 22, 1882, to Miss Mary Walker, only child of Captain and Mrs. Samuel Walker of Fountain Green. To them on Nov. 8, 1884, was born one child, a son, Tressler, whose sad death occurred Nov. 16, 1906, at Salt Lake, Utah, while on a civil engineering trip with several of his college mates. The loss of this, their beloved child, has ever been a dark cloud which hung like a pall over the home, causing a wound in the hearts of both parents that never was healed, as well as in the hearts of all the friends of his youth, and his college class mates, who to this day speak of Tressler with tears in their eyes. Little wonder then, that the fond and loving mother or the doting father, should almost sink beneath the blow.

In the spring of 1883, Dr. Barr with his wife, moved to the home where he has ever since resided, and for thirty-three years has been one of the leading physicians of this community, his reputation calling him far beyond local territory. It is here that no pen picture can do full justice to the character of this subject. Many and many and long, cold ride was taken in the dark, perchance over roads that were next to impassable by daylight, to find his way into the humble cottage of the sick or dying, always bringing much of joy and leaving more of courage, when he went away. Not once were these visits made in the hope of a rare pecuniary reward, for more often they were visits of only charity and love for suffering humanity. Many are those who can arise and call his blessed for just such deeds of kindness. Not a widowed mother broken hearted and discouraged, not an orphan child unprotected and alone, not a despondent man who from ill health or lack of employment was ready to give up this life, but who can say, "Dr. Barr helped me to a new life; helped me to bear this burden which seemed, at one time, unutterabley unable to bear." No pen can describe the true picture, only He who watcheth over all, knows and can give the true reward.

Dr. Barr was a member of the Christian church of Burnside and so faithful was he to its teachings that no persuasion ever could tempt him to leave it, although he gave largely to the support of all other churches where he was permitted to attend. He was a great fraternal man and belonged to five different orders, namely, the M. W. A. and R. N. A., also Mystic Workers of Fountain Green; the I. O. O. F. and Rebekah orders of Webster. He was a charter member of the first two and also of the I. O. O. F. He was chaplain from the beginning until the time of his death, of both R. N. A. and Odd Fellow lodges, and was camp physician for a number of years of the M. W. A. He was an ardent admirer of Odd Fellowship and it is due largely to his influence and generosity that the splendid Odd Fellow's hall in Webster now stands as a reminder of his energetic disposition to serve mankind.

Politically, he was a democrat and has held various notable offices during his lifetime, being at the time of his death, county coroner, serving a second term.

Although a long sufferer and a "shut-in" he always enjoyed meeting his friends and no hospitality could ever outrival that found within his home. He was patient and sought to hide his sufferings in order to make the care given him by his loving and faithful companion, as light as possible. He never complained and when asked if he would not have a trained nurse he always replied in the negative, saying he had all the care anyone could give him. What a thought for the lonely wife to carry with her through life. Too much praise could not be given such faithfulness and loving kindness.

Although suffering greatly at times he was fully resigned and repeatedly told his wife and others that he was perfectly ready and willing to obey the Master's summons whenever He thought his work on earth was done. A noble life is ended, a life full of good deeds, a life for which the world has been made better, a life that is worthy of imitation by all who knew it has gone out, leaving darkness and lonliness [sic] behind it, but entering into that Paradise prepared for all those who know Him and keep His commandments.

Funeral service was held at the home Saturday at 11 o'clock, April 22d inst., conducted by the Rev. E. M. Smith, pastor of the Christian church of Carthage, who spoke words of comfort from the text found in 2 Tim. 1:10. He was assisted in the service by Rev. L. C. Gray, pastor of the Presbyterian church of Fountain Green, who read for a scripture lesson, the words of our Savior, so fitted to the life of the deceased, and found in Matt. 25:31-46.

A choir composed of Mrs. L. D. Callihan, Mrs. Maggie Seibert and Messrs. L. D. Callihan and J. A. Duffy, with Miss Martha Walker, pianist, sang the following favorite hymns: "Abide With Me;" "Jesus Savior Pilot Me" and "Some Glad Day." The elegant half-couch casket was completely enveloped and surrounded by the lovely floral tributes of friends and relatives from far and near, also from the county officials and from each one of the fraternal orders, and Mrs. Barr's Sunday school class of ladies, besides a large box of lovely tea roses from Dr. and Mrs. C. A. Champlin of Hope, Ark., who sent them, hoping they would reach him in time for his enjoyment in life, but which came only a few mours [sic] after his death. The spacious house and grounds were thronged with sympathizing friends , eager to make use of their last opportunity of paying their respect to one they have all loved for so long. There's not another man in this community who will be missed more than Dr. Barr.

The remains were taken to Moss Ridge for burial by the side of his beloved child, where the services were completed under the auspices of the I. O. O. F.

Relatives from a distance who attended the funeral were a brother-in-law, Mr. T. M. Bross, Prescott, Ia.; two nieces and husbands, Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Rice and Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Miller of Disco, Ill.; and a nephew and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hurdle of LaHarpe.

Pall bearers were J. M. Lenix, M. W. Yetter, Wm. Day, M. B. Reed, J. W. McConnell and W. J. Kleckner.

Mrs. Barr has the deepest sympathy of her countless number of friends in this her very sad bereavement and we pray that He who has promised to be the widow's friend, may never leave her nor forsake her, for we know His promised are true and that she fully trusts in Him. One nephew, Willie Wright, who has for some years been a member of the Doctor's household, was constantly with them during the past winter, assisting in every way he could, and he deeply feels the death of his uncle, who has been more like a father to him. May the kind hand of Providence watch over them both and comfort their sorrowing hearts.

Chat.