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1. Biography of Joseph Barnhill.

2. Obituaries of Joseph Barnhill

3. Obituaries of Sarah Elizabeth (Loy) Barnhill

4. Obituaries of Sylvia Myrtle (Barnhill) Bailey

5. Obituary of Bert S. Bailey

6. Obituary of Fred Barnhill

7. Obituaries of Harold Barnhill

8. The Joseph and Sarah Elizabeth (Loy) Barnhill family.

1. Biography of Joseph Barnhill husband of Sarah Elizabeth Loy (daughter of Margaret Cusac, Daniel J, Andrew John)

Joseph Barnhill

For almost a third of a century this gentleman has been a resident of Linn county, and is to-day numbered among the highly esteemed citizens of Marion , his home being on Sixth avenue . He is engaged in the fire insurance business and in fruit culture, but gives considerable attention to the duties of his office as justice of the peace.

Mr. Barnhill was born near old Fort Findlay in Hancock county, Ohio , October 18, 1846, and is a son of Robert and Mary A. (Keel) Barnhill, both natives of Pennsylvania , the former born near Harrisburg , the latter near Alleghany City . When a small boy the father accompanied his parents on their removal to Wayne county, Ohio and later became one of the pioneers of Hancock county, where he owned and operated a farm, making it his home until called to his final rest in 1890, at the age of eighty-three years. His wife died in 1896, at the age of eighty-six years. Both were members of the Christian Union church, and were highly respected by all who knew them.

Joseph Barnhill is the seventh in order of birth in a family of nine children, seven of whom are still living. He acquired his education in the common schools of his native state, and when not in school worked on the home farm. On leaving the parental roof at the age of sixteen years he went to Oregon with Hiram Smith, the latter, however, going by the overland route with horses in his charge to be sold, while our subject went by way of New York , across the isthmus of Panama, and up the coast to San Francisco . Mr. Barnhill spent three years in Oregon as a foreman in charge of the horses on a large ranch of sixteen hundred acres on the Columbia River . Financially his trip was a success, and he thoroughly enjoyed his experience in the far west. Returning to his Ohio home at the end of three years he resumed farming.

On the 28th of September 1868, Mr. Barnhill married Miss Sarah E. Loy, a native of Morrow county, Ohio , and a daughter of George Loy. Five children blessed this union, namely: Eva Nellie, born August 2 1869, died from the effects of measles February 16, 1887. Sylva M., born in 1871, married Burt S. Bailey and died June 25, 1899, leaving one child, Morrell. Wilfred L, born in 1874, died in December 1894 (sic), in New Mexico , where he had gone with hope of benefiting his health. Harold died May 15, 1899 at the age of eighteen years just fifteen days after his return from Florida , where he had spent the winter. Margaret, a graduate of the Marion high school, is at home.

In 1869 Mr Barnhill came to Linn county, Iowa and first located on a farm near Marion , where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for three years. He was next engaged in mercantile business in Palo until 1887, and at the same time served as postmaster of that place for eleven years. In the fall of 1887 he was elected county treasurer of Linn county, and so acceptably did he fill the office that he was re-elected, serving until January, 1892. Subsequently he was engaged in the grocery business in Marion for a short time, and on disposing of his store, bought a small farm of twenty acres on the boulevard in Marion , where he has quite a beautiful home near the bridge. Here he has engaged principally in raising fruit, and at present also gives some attention to the fire insurance business. He has now entered upon his third term as justice of the peace, the duties of which position he has most capably and satisfactorily performed. He is a man of high standing in the community, and is widely and favorably known throughout the county. With his wife and daughter, he holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he was officially connected until recently, and he is also a member of the blue lodge, No. 6, A. F. & A. M., and Mariola Lodge, No. 8, K. P., and the Uniformed Rank of the latter order. He is past chancellor and a trustee of the Knights of Pythias lodge. In politics he is an ardent Republican.

The Biographical Record of Linn County , Iowa . Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1901, p 106 - 107

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2. Obituaries of Joseph Barnhill

In the death of Joseph Barnhill, who passed away at his home in Marion Tuesday evening at 6:45 Marion and Linn county have lost an estimable pioneer and citizen. Last Friday Mr. Barnhill suffered a stroke of apoplexy and since that time it has been known that the end was near.

Joseph Barnhill was born Oct. 18, 1846, in Hancock county, Ohio . At the age of 16 he left his home and went to Oregon , by way of New York , the isthmus of Panama, and then up the cost of San Francisco . He spent three years in Oregon as the foreman in charge of the horses on a ranch of 1,500 acres on the Columbia river . At the end of that time he returned to Ohio and resumed farming. In 1868 he was married to Miss Sarah E. Loy. They had five children, only one of whom, Miss Margaret, is now living.

Mr. Barnhill came to Linn county in 1869, located on a farm, stayed there three years, then went to Palo and opened a store. For eleven years he was postmaster at Palo. In 1887 he was elected county treasurer and was re-elected, serving until 1892. Then he engaged in the grocery business in Marion and afterward bought twenty acres of land near Marion , where he has a beautiful home, near the bridge. He has raised considerable fruit and has devoted some time to insurance but principally to his duties as a justice of the peace. He was a member of the Methodist church, a Mason, a Pythian and a member of the Uniform Rank. He was a past chancellor and a trustee of the Knights of Pythias lodge. He was an earnest worker for the success of the republican party in whose principles and policies he thoroughly believed. He was a man of high integrity and was highly respected all over the county.

Thursday 18 Feb 1904 probably the Marion Sentinel ( Marion , IA )

The funeral of the late Joseph Barnhill will be held from the Methodist church in this city at 2:30 o’clock Friday afternoon.

Thursday 18 Feb 1904 probably the Marion Sentinel ( Marion , IA )

Joseph Barnhill is buried in Oak Shade Cemetery, Marion, Linn Co, IA.

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3. Obituaries of Sarah Elizabeth (Loy) Barnhill (Margaret Cusac, Daniel J, Andrew John)

Death of Mrs. J. Barnhill.

Mrs. Joseph Barnhill, who has been in failing health several months, passed away Sunday at her home on the boulevard. She has been a longtime resident of Marion . She is survived by one daughter, Margaret; her husband, one son and one daughter having preceded her in death. The funeral was held from the home this afternoon, conducted by Rev. A. T. Bishop of the Methodist Church .

Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette, ( Cedar Rapids , IA ), Tuesday, 02 Mar 1915.

The death of Mrs. Joseph Barnhill occurred Sunday afternoon at her home on the Boulevard west of Marion , after a brief illness. The funeral took place Tuesday afternoon at the house, Rev. A. T. Bishop officiating. Of her immediate family, she is survived by one daughter, Miss Marjorie.

Marion Sentinel, ( Marion , IA ), Thursday, 04 Mar 1915.

Sarah E. (Loy) Barnhill is buried in Oak Shade Cemetery, Marion, Linn Co, IA.

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4. Obituaries of Sylvia Myrtle (Barnhill) Bailey (Sarah E Loy, Margaret Cusac, Daniel J, Andrew John)

Mrs. Bert Bailey died Sunday morning at the home of her parents, Mr. And Mrs. Joseph Barnhill. The funeral services will be held in the Methodist Episcopal church at 2:30 this afternoon. The bereaved relatives have the sympathy of the entire community. This is the second time within a few weeks that death has entered the family circle and taken a loved one. Mrs. Bailey has been a long and patient sufferer with consumption.

Tuesday 27 June 1899 probably from the Marion Sentinel, ( Marion , IA )

The funeral services of the late Mrs. Bert Bailey were held from the Methodist church yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o’ clock and were attended by a large number of sympathizing relatives and friends. The discourse was given by Dr. F. W. Luce, who had charge and a quartette consisting of Mrs. V. G. Shumack, Mrs. S. W. Parsons, Messers. J. H. French and E. J Esgate furnished music. The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful. Mrs. Bailey was the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Barnhill. Besides her parents and husband she leaves a little son and one sister, Miss Margie Barnhill. The deceased was one of those lovely women who have made the world brighter and better for having lived. She was a graduate of the Marion High school and during her girlhood days was prominent in social and literary circles. She was a loving mother, a devoted wife, and a kind sister and a true Christian. Those who knew her best loved her most.

Wednesday 28 June 1899 probably from the Marion Sentinel ( Marion , IA )

5. Obituary of Bert S. Bailey (husband of Sylvia Myrtle Barnhill, Sarah E Loy, Margaret Cusac, Daniel J, Andrew John)

Bert S. Bailey Dies at Dysart -

DEATH COMES SUDDENLY TO FORMER LOCAL MAN -

Grew Up in Marion, and Later Served (unreadable) at Springville and Lisbon , and Other Places in Upper Iowa Conference – Son of Mrs. Laura Bailey of This City.

The many friends of Rev. Bert Bailey were shocked yesterday afternoon to learn of the sudden death at his home at Dysart. His death came practically without warning. Though he had not been feeling well for a day or so, and was taking some medication, no one dreamed that he was close to death’s portals. In fact, the night before he had insisted on going to a meeting of the Pythian Sisters, where he made a speech and helped everybody have fun in his usual jovial way. Yesterday morning his wife thought he ought to stay home and let her go to town for the mail, but he insisted on going, said he would stop in at the doctor’s on the way, and did so, bringing back some more medicine, and on the way back stopped at one or two places, passing out some words of cheer, and telling a story or two at another place. When he arrived at home his wife said he looked bad and asked what the doctor had said was the matter. He gave her the bottle of medicine and said that was what was the matter, sank into a chair, and his heart quit working.

Rev. Bailey was born on a farm near Dyersville in 1872, the third child in a family of six children. He came to Marion when a small boy. Although handicapped all his life by an impediment in his walk, it never interfered with his head or heart, and he has ever been one of the Marion boys whom the townspeople have pointed with pride, because of the great service he has rendered as a successful minister of the gospel.

He has held several appointments in this conference, and has always won his way into the deep affections of the community he served, as well be attested by the people of Springville and Lisbon , two of his charges. He was sent to Dysart, only last fall, going there from State Center .

His mother, Mrs. Laura Bailey, resides at 309 Thirteenth street , and is in much feeble health that the news of her son’s sudden death is being withheld from her, and the information in this story was obtained elsewhere. Mr. Bailey’s father, Henry Bailey, was English born, but he became a staunch citizen of America , and was a man of sterling integrity of character. He died here many years ago.

Two brothers, Walter and Ralph, and the sisters, Mrs. John Finney and Mrs. Ed. Wilcox of Cedar Rapids , and Fanny Bailey Hines, of North Yokima , Washington , survive.

Mr. Bailey leaves besides the bereaved wife, one son, who lives in the west.

A funeral service will be held at Dysart Sunday morning, and the body will be brought to Marion for burial. It is probable that a service will be held here in the afternoon, but the hour and place is not certain at this time.

Rev. Bailey was here last September and attended the “Back Home” service of the local Methodist Episcopal church, and preached the sermon that Sunday morning, with his aged mother a member of his audience. He talked with great feeling in early days in Marion , and the writer was deeply impressed with the man’s sincerity and depth, and the affectionate way in which the old timers greeted him on that occasion.

Thursday 05 Jan 1928 Marion Sentinel ( Marion , IA )

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6. Obituary of Fred Barnhill (Sarah Elizabeth Loy, Margaret Cusac, Daniel J, Andrew John)

Died in New Mexico .

Fred, the 17-year-old son of Mr. And Mrs. Jos. Barnhill, died at Albuquerque , N. M., Saturday. He has been an invalid for a long time. Saturday, Mr. Barnhill received a telegram from his wife stating that their son was in a dangerous condition. Mr. Barnhill started but was intercepted by a second telegram while at Cedar Rapids , stating that Fred was dead and that Mrs. Barnhill would start home with the remains Monday. Mr. Barnhill will meet her at Kansas City today and they will arrive home tomorrow evening. Fred was a boy greatly beloved, and the bereaved parents have the sympathy of the community.

Probably from the Marion Sentinel, (Marion, IA) about 26 Dec 1892

Wilfred Barnhill is buried in Oak Shade Cemetery, Marion, Linn Co, IA.

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7. Obituaries of Harold Barnhill (Sarah Elizabeth Loy, Margaret Cusac, Daniel J, Andrew John)

Harold Barnhill, only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Barnhill, died yesterday afternoon at 6:20, after a lingering illness. He was a young man esteemed and beloved by all for his many and noble traits of character. Everything possible that medical skill and change of climate could do was done for him, but consumption had fastened itself upon him and all was of no avail. His death is a great grief and the sorrowing relatives have the sympathy of a wide circle of friends. Funeral arrangements are not known at this time.

Tuesday 16 May 1899 probably from the Marion Sentinel, ( Marion , IA )

The funeral services of the late Harold Barnhill, whose death occurred Monday, were held yesterday afternoon in the M. E. Church and were attended by a large number of sympathizing friends. Dr. F. W. Luce conducted the services and a quartette composed of Mrs. V. G Schumac, Miss Blanch Kerr and Messers. J. H. French and J. E. Bromwell, Jr., furnished beautiful and appropriate music. Roses covered the casket containing the remains of the loved one. The pall bearers were, Bert Carver, William Smyth, Harry Conger, Bert Knowlton, Nat Starbuch and Warren Yates. Interment was in Oak Shade Cemetery .

Thursday 18 May 1899 probably from the Marion Sentinel, ( Marion , IA )

8. The Joseph and Sarah Elizabeth (Loy) Barnhill family.

Sarah Elizabeth Loy was born 03 Jul 1845 probably in Lincoln Twp, Delaware Co, OH (now Morrow Co, OH) and died 28 Feb 1915 in Linn Co, Iowa . She married Joseph Barnhill 28 Sep 1868 in Hancock Co, OH. Joseph was the son of Robert Barnhill and Mary Keel. He was born 18 Oct 1846 in Hancock Co, OH and died 16 Feb 1904 in Linn Co, Iowa .

They had the following children:

1. Evanella “Nellie” Barnhill born 02 Aug 1869 Hancock Co, OH died 16 Feb 1887

Linn Co, IA

2. Sylvia Myrtle Barnhill born 06 Feb 1872 Linn Co, IA died 25 Jun 1899 Linn Co, IA.

She married Bert S Bailey.

3. Wilfred “Fred” Barnhill born 27 Sep 1874 Linn Co, IA died 24 Dec 1892

Albuquerque , New Mexico

4. Harold Barnhill born 18 June 1878 Linn Co, IA died 15 May 1899 Linn Co, IA

5. Margaret Barnhill born Oct 1881 Linn Co, IA (was still single in 1930)

This family can be found in the following census records:

1850 Lincoln Twp, Morrow Co, OH census p. 25/49 George Lory family

1850 Liberty Twp, Hancock Co, OH census p. 395/789 Robert Barnhill family

1860 Liberty Twp, Hancock Co, OH census p. 2/3 Robert Poe family

1860 Liberty Twp, Hancock Co, OH census p. 20 Robert Burnhill family

1870 Marion Twp, Linn Co, IA census p. 245/36 Joseph Barnhill family

1880 ED 263, Palo, Fayette Twp, Linn Co, IA census p. 15 Joseph Barnhil

1900 ED 81, Marion Twp, Linn Co, IA census p. 6A/217 Joseph Barnhill

1910 ED 94, 4^th ward, Marion, Marion Twp, Linn Co, IA census p. 66B Sarah Barnhill family

1920 ED 342, Los Angeles city, Los Angeles Co, CA census p. 3B Margaret Barnhill

1930 ED 268, Los Angeles city, Los Angeles Co, CA census p. 14A Margaret Barnhill

Note: Joseph Barnhill was the enumerator in the 1900 ED 81, Marion Twp, Linn Co, Iowa census