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Contributed by
Judy Carlson, 2000
Can you find the tombstones hidden in the trees? There are five stones in the Barber Cemetery. The cemetery is in a deplorable state.
On February 10, 1883 George Carman and wife Sarah received a patent on the NWSW4 of Section 35 in Herrick Township. By June 1, 1883 George Carman sold the homestead to Levi Wesley Barber, his brother-in-law.
In February 1885 Sarah Carman, died of consumption, which is defined as "a slow wasting away of the body." She was buried high on a hill on the Barber land. She left to mourn her, a husband and seven children.
Sarah was a sister to L. Wesley Barber. This could account for why she was buried here. It could be because this was originally homesteaded by the Carmans’. Sarah would remain alone atop this hill for twenty-two years. The cedar trees planted to mark the grave towered high above the small single stone by the time anyone joined her.
L. Wesley Barber married in 1893, built a home and began raising his family. In 1908, the stepson of Mr. Barber died at the age of 20. He was buried beside Sarah Carman. Tragedy again struck the Barber family a year later when their daughter Fanny, age 14 was killed. In a freakish accident, Fanny was dragged to death by the pony that she loved to ride to school.
L. Wesley Barber and his wife Delia moved to Yankton, SD in 1910. In 1919, Mr. Barber died and was taken to the homestead in Knox County to be buried. It wasn’t until 1937 that Delia would join her family there.
The Barber Cemetery was never deeded nor platted as a cemetery. It is an example of a small family burial place that passes ownership to whomever buys the land surrounding it. The owners are under no obligation to maintain the cemetery. I appreciate the fact that the current owner at least keeps a fence around it to keep livestock out.
Where is the Barber Cemetery? It’s in Section 35 in Herrick township. Finding it is like trying to locate the five stones in the trees. Nearly impossible.
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