News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1922-03-08
JOHNSON
Death of Miss Ida M. Barton


born at Starksboro, W., August H.,
1869. Her parents came to Johnson
from CHARLOTTE, VT, about 40 years
ago, ana Miss Barton as a child at
tended the schools OF the village and
later was graduated from the john
son State Normal School in the class
OF 1856.
For few years after her gradua-
ton she was a successful teacher in
the rural schools OF Bristol, Sails
bury and Cambridge, returning to
johnson because of the failing health
of her mother, and continued her
work as teacher for a few terms in
the schools of this village.
In 1890 she entered the Office of
o. B. Landon as bookkeeper and re-
NAMED with Mr.. Landon until the
business was sold. She then entered
the employ of the Mcfarland Bros,
and later the employ of W. H. Nye
and of the C. H. Stearns & Son Co.
by all her employers she was
honored for her faithful and trust
worthy service.
Her mother, sanity woman, died
in March, 1908, having received from
her daughter most tender and loving
care. After the death of her mother,
much of Miss Barton's time and
thought was devoted to the care of
her father, who was very deaf and
nearly blind and lived to the age of
SO, dying in October, 1917.
Her loving patience, cheerful
courage and thoughtful kindness won
the admiration of all who saw father
and daughter together and had clean
enough hearts to recognize Christ
likeness when they saw it.
One loved and honored her for the
wondrous beauty of her life and it
was truly said of her:
Many daughters have done virtu-
ously,
But thou excellest them all"
At an early age Miss Barton joined
the Methodist Church, where she was
-organist and had charge of the music
for 80 years.
She began teaching in the Sunday
teacher of the Baraca Class from its
organization to the time of her i'll
ness last summer. To the church
in all it's departments, she gave most
faithful and untiring service, and her
constant attendance and unfailing
support was a large factor in its USE
fulness.
1t is given to but few to have
touched so helpfully the lives of as
many people as did Miss Barton.
Many men, who as boys were in Miss
Barton's Sunday School class, now
testify of the abiding impression for
good made by her noble character
upon their lives.
AS one of the former scholars
writes: "Many of her Sunday School
scholars will arise in that other land
to call her blessed. Among several
of the formative influences in my
early Christian life was that exerted
by Miss Barton" -...--.. -,
Another writes regarding her
efforts for the young men of the
class; 81 should feel highly gratified
if | should sometime learn that l had
had as much influence for good in
some ones life"
Not only to the young, but to all
her many friends she was always
tower of strength and friend in the
truest sense of the word.
Seemingly possessed of abundant
health and strength her friends were
shocked beyond measure when they
learned, last August, that she had
entered the Mary Fletcher hospital
for an operation and had been told
that she had only a few months to
live. Writing from the hospital Miss
Barton used these words: at is all
right, | am coming home, not to die,
but to live as long as | can and be of
as much use to my church and my
friends as possible" This spirit of
wonderful courage and strength of
soul was manifest to the very last and
had been AN inspiration to all who
knew and loved her.
On Sunday, February 26, the end
came quietly after two weeks of seri- |
Gus illness. The funeral was held at |
the Methodist Church on Tuesday, |
February 2S, at two o'clock. The
service was most impressive. The
oftlciatlng clergyman, Rev. c. d.
Pierce of Orleans, a former pastor
of the Methodist Church, was assisted
by Rev. G. R. Akers, present pastor,
and Rev. A. B. Ross, pastor of the
Congregational Church.
40 IiiC pCOplc RdIHeTeU Tor the
service Memberships ooh Rest in the
Lord" was played very softly on the
organ by Miss Myrtle Cunningham.
Mr.. Pierce in his eulogy spoke with
deep feeling of Miss Barton's devoted
Christian character and of the won
derfully cheerful personality that
had endeared her to all.
The large number present and the
many beautiful flowers bore testi-
mony of the love and esteem of the
entire community.
In addition to the flowers from the
relatives and the many friends, floral
pieces were sent from the Methodist
the choir, the Baraca and
Philathea Glasses of the Sunday
School, the Standard Bearers, the !
christian Endeavor Society and the !
Church, also from the
ST. Johnsbury District. Women's For
slgn Missionary Society