Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1907-01-16
Death of Mr.. John w. Barclay at
Age of 81 Years

Mr.. John Woods Barclay, a pro-
minent and well known resident OF
Lexington, died at his home or
upper Main street Friday after
noon, January IL, 1907, from the
infirmaties incident to old age,
lacking but few days of having
reached his Gig hty-fourth birth
day. For some weeks previous to
his death Mr.. Barclay had been
confined Co his bed. The funeral
took place Sunday afternoon from
the Presbyterian church, conduct
ed by his pastor, Rev. Thompson
B. Southall, and the body was laid
to rest in the family square in the
Lexington cemetery, by the side of
the grave of his wife.
With the passing of Mr.. Barclay
familiar figure on the streets of
Lexington has been removed. His
was an uneventful life, but his
influence was always exerted on
the side that counted for Christi
anity, morality and the better
ment of his fellows. Approachable
and sociable to degree, he took
delight in communicating to his
frierds the observations CT long
and useful life. Mr.. Barclay was
frequent contributor on historical
and industrial subjects to the
columns of The GAZETTE under the
nom de plume of. "Octogenarlnan,"
ard bis communications were al
ways read with pleasure and profit.
Mr.. Barclays ancestors came
from Lancaster county, Pennsyl-
van;a, and were among the early
settlers of Rockbridge. His great
great-grandfather, Ellhu Barclay,
settled in Augusts county, and
served under Washington in the
French and Indian Wars, whose
son, Hugh Barclay, settled on
Cedar Creek, near Natural Bridge,
now known as Red Mills. The
Iatter's son, Elihu Barclay, died
near Lexington, leaving three
young sons, Alexander Tedford,
Hugh and Elihu, who were reared
in the home of their aunt, Mrs.
James Moore, who lived at sunny
slde," now the home of Col. j. D..
H. Ross. The second sor, Hugh
Barclay, was the father of John
w. Barclay. He was a presiding
justice of Reckbridge, was a mem
Der of the Board of Trustees OF
Washington College, and was
member of the first Board of ViSi-
tors the Virginia Military In
stitute. His wife was Miss Mary
Woods of Nelson county.
Mr.. John w. Barclay was born
January "a, 1928, at Nelly's Ford,
Nelson county, the home Of his
mothers parents. His long life
was spent in Lexington. He was
educeted at Washington College
and in early life entered into the
mercantile business with his father,
which he continued until after the
close Of the Civil War. He was
also engaged in the management
of his farm near Lexington. In
1846 Mr.. Barclay married Miss
Elizabeth Williams of Richmond,
KY, who died November Is, 1904.
Two children survive, Professor
Howard W. Barclay of Union, W.
Va, and Mrs. Salie B. Railey, wife
of Rev. FIG. Railey of Montgomery,
Ala.
At the time of his death Mr..
Barclay was the oldest member of
the Lexington Presbyterian church
; having united with the church
in 1912. lie was ordained deacon
in 1856 with Stonewall jackson
and Pref. Al .Nelson, and ordain-
ed ruling elder in 1890. For many
years he was supe rintendent of the
Sunday school and taught mems
Bible class. He served as a mem
Der of the Lexington Town Council,
the Lexington School Board, and
was at one time a commissioner of
education. During the Civil War
he was employed by the Confeder.
ate Government in the mining and
nitre bureau in Lexington. Dur.
ing the building of the Valley Rail-
road ne acted as agent for the Balti-
more and Ohio officials to buy the
rights of way through Rockbridge
add Botetourt counties.