Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-06-03
WELL KNOWN in
TWO CITIES
MARTHA LovET BARNES coWLEs
HIGHLY ESTEEMED BY OF
TuMWA AND BURLINGTON.
APPRECIATION
N
Friend in This City Tells of Departed
sWoman's Noble Benefaction-
Funeral In First M. e.
Church.

Church.
In telling of the death at Burlington
Sunday evening of Mrs. Martha
Cowles, who will be recalled by many
Ottumwans as a former resident and
more recently by her magnificent git
of the Barnes memorial, wing built
on the east side of the hospital in
this city, the Hawk-Eye of Burlington
has the following:
Martha Lovett was born in Holmes
county, Ohio February 27 1888, and
city ct TOT Summer street Sunday
evening, May 80, at 8 o'clock.
"She was married to Geo. G. Barnes
in her native county May 10, 1855,
and came with him to Iowa and set
tied in Ottumwa in the fall of 1858
Two sons were born to this union,
both of whom grew to manhood, and
both, with their father, preceded her
to the home beyond, Mr.. Barnes dy-
ing Sept. II, 1870 On August 9, 1873.
she was married 10 the Rev. w. F.
M E. church. She most heartily en-
tered into the work of the wife of a
Christian minister, and became an
able helpmeet to her husband, and a
most efficient Christian worker. She
was one of the charter members OF
the first Woman's Foreign Missionary
society of Ottumwa and a member OF
the first Woman's Home Missionary
society organized in the city of Bur-
lington, and for many years the treas
urer of the conference Woman's Home
Missionary society. In 1888 she came
to Burlington with her husband and
has since then made her home m
this city. She was converted and
united with the Methodist Episcopal
church in childhood and was all
through life most active and earnest
Christian worker. She and her hus-
band, DR.. Cowles were among the
leaders in the erection Of the Grace
M. E. church, contributing their
means. time and influence to the en-
terprise She was a member of this
church, teacher in the Sunday
school and an active, useful member
of ali the various societies Of the
church. She was devoted to the work
of Christian philanthropy, and donated
SIS 900 for the erection of wing to
the OttumWa hospital, to be known as
tho Barnes memorial.
.She leaves three sisters and two
brothers; two sisters and one brother
living in Ohio, one brother in Califor-
MIA, and Miss Amina. who has made
her home with Mrs. Cowles for TWEEN
ty-four years, and two step-sons,
Gardner Cowles of Des Moines, and
La Monte Cowles of this city. Size
was taken sick about October 1, and
has not been able to sit up whole
day since, and gradually grew weaker
until the end came. She was one OF
the most patient of sufferers, and
bravely endured her affliction as see
ing Him who is invisible For some
time she saw the end approaching,
and like the apostle of old, felt that
to depart and be with Christ would be
very far better.
sThe funeral will be held in the
home Wednesday, June 2, at a. M,
and in the First M. E. church of OF
tumwa at p. m"
An Appreciation.
An Ottumwa friend has written the
following appreciation of Mrs. Cowles:
Mrs. Martha Barnes Cowles, who
passed away at her home in Burling-
ton on May 80, was q greatsouled.
generous woman. Her munifcent gift
of the Barnes memorial to the Ottuln-
wa hospital has given her an exalted
place in the hearts of the Ottumwa
people 1t is with the deepest graft,
tude and love that this community
Acknowledges her noble work for its
sick and needy.
She lived in Ottumwa number of
years, watched its growth, rejoiced in
it's prosperity and labored for its well
being. When she desired to build a
memorial for her husband, the late
George G. Barnes and her two sons
P. Lovett and DR.. c. E. Barnes, both
deceased, many interests and many
communities sought this benefaction
Her very close companionship with
her younger son, a physician, gave her
an absorbing interest in his work
With her quick sympathy for the poor
and afflicted, hospital work appealed
| to her with great force. This will
her love for Ottumwa helped her &c
decide upon the Ottumwa hospital az
the recipient of her generous gift.
Friend