grave import

Obituary

Mrs. Emma Louise Barr, 71, daughter of early Burlington residents and a life resident of Des Moines County, died suddenly as she sat in her automobile parked on Valley Street between Main and Third Streets shortly before 9 am today.
Mrs. Barr, who had been in failing health recently, is believed to have suffered a heart attack. Her chauffeur, Don Neff, was in Hotel Burlington on an errand and came back to the car to find her dead.
A physician summoned to the car immediately pronounced Mrs. Barr dead. A friend of the family who had passed the auto just a few minutes earlier noticed her sitting back in the seat, watching pedestrians, and when he again passed the machine a moment later, saw that she was slumped back in the seat. He thought she had fallen asleep.
She just had completed making several purchases before going to a farm near Mediapolis, owned by her son Mark, of Burlington. Mr. and Mrs. Mark Barr and their children planned to spend Mother’s Day with her at the farm tomorrow.
Born on a farm near Pleasant Grove, she loved the country and enjoyed being at the 30-acre tract near Mediapolis.
She talked with her daughter-in-law only a few minutes before departing in her car. After picking some flowers at her home, she had talked with her son’s wife about tomorrow’s program.
Born July 28, 1864, she was the daughter of Conrad and Elizabeth Grote Beck, who had come from Germany to join early Des Moines county settlers.
Her father was widely known in the vicinity and dug the first cellar in Burlington. In 1849, he joined in the famous “gold rush” to California, driving an ox team across the continent, bearing sugar and other groceries to be traded on the coast.
Returning to Iowa a year later, he again settled on a farm in Washington township.
On Nov. 29, 1888, the pioneer’s daughter was married in Morning Sun to James Ferrier Barr, also of Pleasant Grove. They lived on a farm near there for five years, then moved to Burlington.
After being interested in several business enterprises, in addition to managing his wide farming interest in Washinton township, Mr. Barr, with the Alexander brothers, became interested in the Iowa Soap Company, a concern that was brought here from Illinois.
At that time the soap plant was located on Front Street, near Valley, but increased business soon made a move necessary and the factory was started on Washington and Front streets. Later it was moved again, this time to Valley street near the present factory site.
After her husband’s death Sept. 30, 1904, Mrs. Barr helped in management of the soap business for some time.
Her home was at 809 North Seventh Street. She returned only Tuesday of this week from Keokuk, Ia., where she had visited her daughter, Mrs. Girard Huiskamp.
Besides her son Mark and daughter Mrs. Hiskamp, Mrs. Barr is survived by four grandchildren; Barbara Barr, James Ferrier Barr, Ann Barr Huiskanp, and Henery Huiskamp; a brother, Henry Beck of Morning Sun, and a sister, Mrs. ElizabethJamison of Wapello, Ia.
Six brothers and sisters preceded her in death; Mrs. Joseph Schwaller, Mrs. Fred Smith, Mrs. EL McClurken, Sarah Beck, and William Beck.
Mrs. Barr was a member of First Methodist church, with which her husband also was affiliated.
Funeral services had not been arranged early this afternoon, but relatives said they probably will be held at the residence on North Seventh street Monday. Interment will be in Aspen Grove cemetery.
The body was removed to Prugh’s chapel this morning, pending arrangements for the funeral. Friends may call there for further information about the service.