Barber County Kansas
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Barber County Kansas |
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William Lockard, at one time a pioneer settler of Barber county, died at the home of his daughter in Chickasha, Oklahoma on Thursday, February 11, 1909, at the advanced age of 89 years.The remains were brought to this city on Friday and a funeral service was held at the home of the deceased's daughter Saturday afternoon. The services were conducted by Rev. W. H. Moore, pastor of the Methodist church, and the remains were laid to rest in Highland cemetery by the side of his wife who preceded him in death twenty-nine years.
OBITUARY William Lockard was born Nov. 28, 1819, in Clark county, Illinois. He died at the home of W. C. Matthews, his grandson, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, February 10, 1909, being 89 years, 2 months and 12 days old.
In his early life William Lockard was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church and a member of the Iowa conference into which state he moved while yet a young man. In 1840 he was united in marriage to Miss Martha McCullah Evans. To them were born seven children, four of whom survive him. Mrs. S. L. Heasley, of Chickasha, Okla., Mrs. J. T. McGrath, Medicine Lodge, Kansas, Mrs. M. E. Shaffner, of Crawford, Nebraska, James Lockard, Sedgwick, Kansas. Also one step daughter, Mrs. S. M. Baird of Alva, Okla.
Mr. Lockard did not enlist as a soldier in the Civil War. He was an ardent abolitionist, was one of two men in his voting precinct that voted for Fremont when he ran for president. He voted for Abraham Lincoln when he was elected president. Throughout the war he was active and did good service for his country at home. He also took a lively interest in temperance reform.
Mr. Lockard moved with his family to Kansas in the fall of 1868 and settled in Sedgwick county. In 1877 he came to Barber where he lived for many years. It was in 1880 that Mrs. Lockard, his first wife, was called to depart this life. She was buried in the cemetery at this place. In 1882 he was again married to Mrs. E. V. Matteson. They made their home with her daughter, Mrs. Baird, at Alva. After the death of his second wife which occurred in the year 1907, he made his home with his grandson and his daughter, Mrs. Heasley, at Chickasha.
The deceased passed away very suddenly. He had eaten dinner with the family as usual, walked out upon the porch and sank down and died upon the steps. His little grandchild ran up stairs to tell her aunt that grandpa was lying upon the steps and would not talk to her. His daughter hurried to the porch but found him dead. There was no evidence of his having fallen, he seemed to have sunk gently to the steps and passed away.
Father Lockard was a life-long member of the Methodist church. He came to his death like a stalk of corn in its season - old and bent with the weight of years he had nevertheless a record of good deeds behind him and a glorious prospect for the future. Let us emulate his virtues.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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