Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-02-03
Edison Barney, Who is Believed
To be Oldest Member Of
Church, Dies.
He PASSED AWAY AT PROVO.
Deceased Was Born June 80, 1900 and
Was a Member Of First Quorum
OF Seventy.
(speclai to the "News,")

Provo, Feb, Edison Barney, who Is
believed to be the Oldest man IN the
state at the time Of his death, and who
WAS the Oldest member Of the Church
IN point Of membership, died at the
home OF his daughter Mrs. Alice NJ,
wilkins Of the sixth ward, last eve
ming. Mr.. Barney had enjoyed fairly
good health until about a week ago,
when he was compelled to take to his
bed and gradually sank until the time
Of his death. The deceased was born
June 30, 1906, I'm Ellisburg Township
Jefferson county, n. " and was the
son OF Royal and Rachel Barney. In
1895 the family moved to Lorraine coun-
IT, o., where Mr. Barney engaged In
farming and cleaing land IN the sum-
mer and teaching school IN the winter
on Jan, 4, 1891 he married Mrs Ellis
COmstock, and became a member OF the
Church May 10, 1881. Since then his
life ana labors have been closely iden-
tilted with the Church. lie was a menu
Der Of lions camp, and WAS ordained a
Seventy under the hands OF Joseph
Smith oliver Cowdery and David Whit
mer IN 1885, being member OF the
First quorum OF seventy lie per-
formed several missions In the
early days OF the Church and
assisted In building the Kirkland
temple In 1887 he started for Mis-
souri, by way Of Michigan, arriving IN
Nauvoo IN 1870 and took prominent
part In the work Of the Church at that
time. lie was one Of the men who
CampaIgned for Joseph Smith at the
time he was a candidate for the presi-
dency Of the United states, being as.
signed to Ohio. After the death Of
Joseph and Hyrum, he returned 70
Nauvoo and worked on the Nauyoo
Temple, receiving his endowments
there on the exodus from Nauvoo
he moved to Pennington, Iowa, and
afterwards to Council BLUFFS, and came
10 Salt Lake with his family I'm 1851.
After remaining d few months In salt
Lake county, whore he assisted in the
erection Of a building TO be used as
u wo0len mill. he moved to Provo,
which WAS his home TIL 1862, when he
was called on "a mission TO 81. George.
| He remained ln southern Utah until
| about nine years ago, when he returned
| 10 Provo, and made his home with his
daughters, Mrs. Alice NJ. and Mrs.
| Eliza wilkins. Since coming to Utah
ne mas led an active lie, ana was one
Of Proyo's leading citizens IN the early
days, filling the position OF justice of
! the peace and member Of the city coun-
ell. lilo also fulfilled several industrial
! missions to different parts OF the ter
| rtory and surrounding country and
| was always willing and anxious
to perform any labor TO which he was
called by the authorities Of the Church
! He had a strong testimony OF the
truth OF the Gospel, and his diary IS
filled with interesting events In the
early history Of the Church, in when
he took part The following children
survive hlm Mrs. Alice NJ. and Eliza
| wilkins Of Provo; Duren Barney OF
Arizona; Joseph and Hyrum Barney
and Mrs, Rosetta Davis, Miss Alice
Reyes, Mrs Martha NJ Hunt and Mn
Ellen Thurston, residing In Sewer
county and a large number OF grand
children and great grandchildren, and
| numerous other relatives.
The funeral viii take place Sunday al
o'clock, from the Sixth ward meeting
house