Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 April 1912 — Obituary of Lyman Barce. [ARTICLE]

Obituary of Lyman Barce.

The following obituary of Lyman Barce Is taken from the Benton Review, Mr. Barce having been a resident of Benton county for many years before locating in this county: Lyman’ M. Barce, the baby of a farnilj of ten Children, is. sleeping beside his mother in the beautiful Fowler cemetery awaiting the glories of resurrection morning. Mr. Barce . died at 1:10 o’clock Thursday, March * 28, at his home near Rersselaer with every member of the family gathered at the bedside awaitihg the inevitable, but with the longing of a great love sustaining them to hope for a little further respite. Unconscious to he last Mr. Barce laid down his burden in peace, without physical suffering or the mental jiangs of approaching separation from those whom he loved with the great affection of a strong man. He was a victim of paralysis, suffering the first stroke shortly after the Taft rally at Hazeldon in 1908. This attack was unusually severe and left him badly crippled, but his coufage wgs undaunted and during the past winter he had made much improvement. Last Tuesday morning he was feeling unusually well and stepped into the yard. Without warning he was rendered unconscious ■ and remained in that state until death relieved him. Lyman, the youngest child of John

and Elizabeth Barce. was born in Scituate, Mass.. April IT.' 18 18. The town of his birth is a fishing hamlet some twenty miles south of Boston and his ancestors and immediate family were seafhrihg men. Four elder brothers found a resting place in the coral gardens neath the heaving bosom of the- Atlantic. With the shadow ot death constantly threatening her home the heart of tb< mother. Elizabeth, grew timid, and she persuaded her husband to leave the sounding sea and the family located in Will county, Illinois, in 18*54. One of the elder boys could not rest so far from the ocean and drifted to San Pedro Cal., saying that be wanted to die where he could watch the sea. and the swell of the Pacific laps the base of the cliff where he is sleeping. ' ' . '

The civil war called two more stalwar/ sons from the prairie home atnd one became an officer of hia country tor distinguished service. The father died in 1871. In February 1871 Lyman Barce and Rebecca F. Ricker were married. The two were born in the same town. The families were neighbors after emigrating to Illinois in the same year. The wedded life of the couple was one long honeymoon and their efforts were directed toward helpfulness iit her than bickei ing all the days o' their union. Mrs, Elizabeth Barce and her sons Samuel and Lyman with his family came to Benton county in IKJ;> and settled in Union township where they wrestled from the wild a home that was theirs to enjoy many years. With their own, hands the sons broke the virgin sod and tiled the land that it might produce its utmost. The mother died in 1893 and was buried in the Fowler cemetery. In 1 898 Mr. Barce bought the Seabury quarter east of Fowler and in 1901 bought 160 acres near Rensselaer and made that his home until the last. He was a stalwart republican and served as trustee of Union -township from 1890 to 1894. Mr. Barce was one of those fugged pioneer characters Whose struggles and successes - instilled self-confidence. He was a loyel friend and a splendid neighbor. In sickness he was found at the bedside of those whom he might succor and when death came into the pioneer homes he closed of tho dead and comforted the Jiving He was ever the friend of young mem who were honestly trying to succeed and many was word of encouragement and the more substantial financial assistance which he tendered them.

Hampered by circumstances he was denied a liberal education in his younger days, but he was an inveterate reader and through his own efforts acquired much knowledge of men and affairs. He was a splendid friend of education and in every way encouraged the cause of learning. He. was the valiant champion of the tea Cher and an earnest advpcate among children encouraging them to obtain all the education possible. He was a man of convictions and a power among those who appreciated his moral worth and rugged honesty. Mr. Barce is survived by his widow and four children, Elmore Barce of Fowler, Mrs. Anna Michaels of Templeton, Mrs. Minnie Rishling of Rensselaer, and John Barce of Chicago. His death marks the first break ip the family circle, but so far as may be the family js comforted by the memories of a beautiful home life and the kind, loving helpfulness extended to each cf those now left to mourn. The body was brought to Fowler Saturday and conveyed to the home of E.'more Barce on Bark avenue. Fol io wing a prayer at the house funeral services were conducted at rhe Christian church Sabbath afternoon at 2 o’clock by Rev. C. G. Cantrell. The pail bearers were Samuel Mead, Benj. Davidson, Isaac Weinhold, George Mitten, J. D. Woodburn, and Thomas Dillon of Rensselaer. Each was a life long friend of Mr. Barce and knew his true worth, a friend in fair weather or foul. The remains were laid to rest beside his mother in. the Fowler cemetery. Mr. Barce leaves an estate worth about $25,000. The entire property is left to Mrs. Lyman Barce during her life time.