George W. Barlow and Mary Ann Purdy

COUNTY PIONEER CALLED BY DEATH    Mrs. Robert Downing Dies at Vancouver; Was Member of Historical Society.

Mrs. Robert Downing, whose parents were Mr. and Mrs. George Barlow, pioneers of this locality, passed away this morning at her home in Vancouver, Wash. She was an aunt of Mrs. Charles Olson and E.B. and B.L. Barlow of Kelso. She was born in Detroit on October 21, 1844.

The Barlows crossed the plains in 1852 and took up a donation land claim below Mt. Coffin two years later. The land was owned by the Barlow family until three years ago when it was purchased by the Long-Bell Lumber company.

Mrs. Barlow was one of seven children, and the last to pass away. For the last 40 years she had lived with her husband in Vancouver. They had no children. When the Cowlitz County Pioneer and Historical society was organized in Longview last summer she was among those in attendance despite the fact that she was crippled as the result of a paralytic stroke until about three years ago. She is the second of the charter members of that society to die. Eugene McCorkle of Lexington was the first called.

Aside from her Kelso relatives, the widower, four nephews, Representative George Barlow and Russel, Douglas and Allen Barlow, and a niece, Miss Jessie Barlow, all of Tacoma are the nearest survivors. Funeral services have not been announced.

BYRON BARLOW, PIONEER, TAKEN   Death Claims Man Who Crossed Plains in '52  40 years in Tacoma

FOUGHT IN INDIAN WARS  Councilman, Legislator, Chairman of Public Works Board  One of 13 Who Voted for Suffrage in 1870.

JOINED KLONDIKE RUSH  Had the First Market in "New Tacoma"  First Head of Pacific Navigation Co.  Built First Bremerton Drydock.

Byron Barlow, 76 years old, one of the earliest pioneers of the Northwest, a resident of Tacoma for nearly 40 years, and former member of the state legislature and city council, died yesterday morning at a local hospital. THough he had been in failing health for some time, his condition was not regarded as critical until Saturday evening, when he was removed to the hospital for treatment.

Mr. Barlow, who was for many years identified with prominent business ventures in Tacoma, and who, in addition to serving both as a member of the city council and the state legislature, was at one time chairman of the board of public works, was one of the pioneers who came across the continent in 1852. His career was a most interesting one.

He was born in Plymouth, Mich., in 1838, and at the age of 15 crossed the plains and located in Cowlitz county. In 1862, he operated a pack train from Umatilla, Ore., to various points in East Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, and had a part in many skirmishes with hostile Indians while engaged in the hazardous work. He was also one of the first to engage in placer mining in the Orofino mines of Idaho and passed through many hardships, in common with the other pioneers in the rough days of early mining camps.

Fought in Indian Wars.

In 18__ Mr. Barlow entered the army and was made first lieutenant of Company K of Oregon. He took an active part in the Indian war during  1865 and 1866 and was in many conflicts with the Modoc Indians who were responsible for many murders and plundering expeditions in Harney county, Oregon. He was mustered out of service in 1866.

In 1870 he was elected to the territorial legislature from Cowlitz county and was one of the 13 members of the legislature from Cowlitz county who voted for woman suffrage when that question was debated more than 40 years ago. The issue proved to be one of the most keenly contested before the legislative body during the session.

Later, Mr. Barlow was chosen as "farmer" to the Puyallup Indian reservation, which was then under the control of an Indian agent in Olympia. His duties were to teach the red men what to plant and how to do it, and his interest in the reservation contined until his death. Mrs. Barlow who, before her marriage was Fannie Bartlett of Elgin, Ill;, and who died several years ago, was interpreter and teacher at the reservation, which was, at that time, conducted along primitive lines.

Connected With Pioneer Ventures.

Mr. Barlow was employed in this work for four years and then settled on a farm at Lakeview, later establishing a meat market in old Tacoma. Following this venture, Mr. Barlow, in 1876 opened the Rainier" meat market in new Tacoma, the first of its kind conducted in this city. He continued this business until 1882, when he organized the commission house of Salem? and Barlow, which was merged the following year into the Tacoma Trading company, in which concern his brother, Calvin S. Barlow, a prominent business man of Tacoma, became a partner.

Held Public Offices.

In 1884 Mr. Barlow was elected a member of the Tacoma city council, and in 1887 became the first president of the Pacific Navigation company. Under his direction, four of the early steamers of the company were built and the navigation trade established on a firm basis. He was later made chairman of the board of public works in Tacoma, and in 1890 was elected a member of the first state legislature.

The following year he retired from the Tacoma Trading company, which concern has since been conducted by Calvin S. Barlow. Byron Barlow then entered the contracting business and supervised the building of the first dry dock at Bremerton, under the firm name of Byron Barlow & Co. The work was started in 1892 and was completed four years later.

Joined Klondike Rush.

In 1898, when the early rush of the Klondike was on, Mr. Barlow was one of the first to face the hardships of the Alaskan country those days. He remained in Alaska about a year, when he returned and retired from active business.

The deceased was possessed of a genial kindly natured and had won a large circle of friends, not only in this city, but throughout the state, and in Oregon as well.

His charity was widespread and he counted his friends equally among men of high position, whose friendship he had won by sterling business integrity, and from humbler walks of life, where he had extended assistance in the time of need. In exemplification of this, he used to tell of a gambler who was once hanged by the vigilantes of Idaho for killing another gambler who had threatened his life.

Though the man was hanged and supposedly dead, he regained consciousness and mad such an impassioned plea to his captors that they were convinced that he had acted in self defense and he was given $50? and permitted to go. Later he was befriended by Mr. Barlow, despite the hostile sentiment of many, and turned out to be an excellent, law abiding citizen.

BYRON BARLOW IS DEAD  Death Claimes Pioneer of Cowlitz County and the Northwest

Byron Barlow, a brother of Ben Barlow of this place, and a resident of the Columbia river district for many years, died Sunday morning at a Tacoma hospital. Though he had been in failing health for some time, his condition was not regarded as critical until Saturday evening, when he was taken to the hospital.

Mr. Barlow was born at Plymouth, Mich., in 1838 and at the age of 15 in 1852 crossed the plains, locating in this county. For many years he continued to maintain his residence here, although he engaged in mining and other development operations in many parts of the Northwest. In 1865 he entered the army, being a lieutenant in Company K of Oregon and taking an active part in the Indian Wars of 1865 and 1866. In the latter year he was engaged in the Modoc Indian War in Southern Oregon, following which he mustered out of service. He was elected to the territorial legislature from Cowlitz county in 1870 and was one of the 13 members of that body, who voted for woman's suffrage when it was discussed at that time. Soon after Mr. Barlow was appointed to a position in connection with the Puyallup Indian Reservation, and in 1876 located in Tacoma, where he was engaged in active business until 1899, when he retired. In 1896 he completed the first dry-dock built at the Bremerton Navy Yard under contract. During those early days in Tacoma's history he was a very prominent figure in the business world being the first president of the Pacific Navigation Company, and the chairman fo the Board of Public Works of the city of Tacoma. He also served as a member of the first Washington State Legislature.

The deceased was very well known not alone in Tacoma and in his vicinity, but in many sections of the Northwest, and leaves a wide circle of friends, who remember him for his kindly nature and many charitable deeds.

Besides his brother here, he is survived by his son, a resident of Tacoma, a brother in Tacoma, and a sister, who lives in Vancouver. Funeral services were held yesterday in Tacoma, interment being made in the Tacoma cemetery.

Benjamin Barlow passed his 79th birthday October 15th. He was born in Michigan in 1840 and crossed the plains with his parents in 1852. The family located in the Cowlitz valley, and Mr. Barlow made his home here most of his life. His health had been failing for a number of years, but he had been feleling quite well recently, and his sudden death was a great shock to his many friends. Surviving are four children: Mrs. C.H. Olson, E.B., Benjamin and James Barlow, all of this city' a brother, C.S. Barlow of Tacoma, and a sister, Mrs. Robert Downing of Vancouver, Washington.

The funeral will be held from the C.H. Olson home tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 o'clock.

Obituary, next issue.

Benjamin Barlow, pioneer of the Cowlitz valley, who passed away late Friday afternoon, was laid to rest Sunday afternoon, the funeral being held from the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles H. Olson in West Kelso, R.A. Walmsley officiating. The Olson home was crowded by friends of pioneer days, gathering to pay their last respects to their friend and companion in the days of settlement of the Cowlitz valley.

Benjamin Barlow was born in Plymouth, Wayne county, Michigan, October 15, 1840, and came to Oregon by ox-team with his parents in 1852. In the fall of 1854 the family settled on the Columbia river below Coffin Rock, where his father took a Donation Land Claim, which has been in the Barlow family ever since.

In 1871 he married to Margaret Galloway and to this union six children were born, of whom four survive to mourn their father's passing. They are Mrs. C.H. Olson, Edward B. Barlow, Benjamin L. Barlow and James Barlow, all of Kelso. A brother, C.S. Barlow of Tacoma, and a sister Mrs. Robert Downing of Vancouver, also survive. Twelve years ago his wife passed away and he has since lived with his children, having made his home for the past eight years with Mrs. Olson.

Mr. Barlow was representative from this county in the Legislature in 1887, and in the following year he moved to Tacoma, where he resided for ten years. He then returned to Kelso and continued to live here the rest of his life. Most of his life was devoted to farming.

Jessie C. Barlow, Ex-Teacher, Dies

Miss Jessie C. Barlow, 90, long-time Tacoma area teacher and member of a Washington pioneer family, died Monday in a Tacoma nursing home following a long illness.

Miss Barlow was born at Barlow's Landing near Kelso and moved to Tacoma as a child. She lived in the Tacoma area for most of her life.

She attended the University of Washington and graduated as a member of Phi Beta Kappa in 1900. She was an elementary school teacher and at one time was principal of the elementary school at Steilacoom. She taught mathematics for two years at Stadium High School and then transferred when Lincoln High School opened and remained at that school until she retired.

She was a member of Chapter 10, Daughters of Pioneers, the Congregational Church in Steilacoom and the Washington Retired Teachers Association.

Survivors include seven cousins.

A memorial service is scheduled at the Steilacoom Congregational Church Saturday.

NATIVE COWLITZ SON PASSES AT TACOMA   C.S. Barlow Prominently Identifed With Business and Community Interests of Sound City

C.S. Barlow, senior member of the firs of C.S. Barlow & Sons of Tacoma, building material and coal dealers, died Monday evening at the Tacoma General Hospital, where he had taken that morning following an illness of two days. Mr. Barlow had retired from business five years ago and had long been active in public and business life of Tacoma. He leaves his wife and six children.

Calvin S. Barlow was born on the Barlow Donation Land Claim on the Columbia river west of town in 1856, being a son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Barlow, (This should be George Barlow) pioneers of the Cowlitz valley, who came here in 1852. Mr. Barlow's brother, Benjamin Barlow, passed away at his home here last fall. The only surviving member of the original Barlow family is a sister, Mrs. Robert Downing of Vancouver. He was an uncle of Mrs. C.H. Olson, and E.B., Benjamin and James Barlow of this city.

He moved to Tacoma in 1879, and became one of the leading citizens of that community, serving both state and city in legislative positions.

His first legislative term began in 1897, and he served again from his own district in 1913. As one of the fifteen members of the city charter committee he again served Tacoma when the present city charter was adopted. he was also a former member of the state board of visitation.

Mr. Barlow was identified with a number of fraternal organizations, among them the Ancient Order of Workmen, the Maccabees, the Artisans and the Knights of Pythias. Besides his wife, who resides at the family home in Tacoma, he is survived by two daughters, Mildred and Hertilla Barlow, and four sons, George, Allan, Russell and Douglas.

Funeral services will be held Thursday from the First Methodist Church, Rev. R.H. Shuett or Dr. Joseph P. Marlatt officiating. Interment, Tacoma cemetery.

Mrs. Barlow Dies Sunday Pioneer, Widow of C.S. Barlow, Passes After Illness

Mrs. Hertilla M. Barlow, 77, native pioneer resident of Southwest Washington, widow of the late C.S. Barlow, founder of the building material firm that bears his name, died at a local hospital Sunday morning after two weeks' illness.

Mrs. Barlow was born in 1860 in Cowlitz county. Her husband, in 1882 founded the building material business continued by her sons and the family home had been made in Tacoma for more than half a century. Mrs. Barlow, one of the best known pioneers, was a member of the state historical society and of the First Methodist church. She was one of the founders of the College of Puget Sound and had been active in the social and civic life of the city for many years.

Surviving relatives are two sons, Russell C. and D.L. Barlow, Tacoma; two daughters, Mrs. Hertilla Day and Mrs. Mildred McIlwraith, also of Tacoma; three sisters, Mrs. Mary Snyder, Spanaway; Mrs. Anna McAdam, Klatskanie, Oregon, and Mrs. Dixie Hodges, Portland, Ore., two brothers, Herndon Burr, Tacoma, and Henry Burr, Tule Lake, Cal., and nine grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at 3 o'clock Wednesday at the Buckley-King company chapel.

Tacoma lost one of its best known pioneers Sunday morning when Mrs. Hertilla M. Barlow of 222 St. Helens avenue, widow of the late C.S. Barlow ____ in 1882, founding the building materials firm, bearing his own and his sons names, died at a local hospital.

Mrs. Barlow was born March 11, 1860 in Cowlitz county of what was then Washington territory.

She was a member of the First Methodist church, the Pierce County Pioneers' Society, the Washington State Historical society, and was one of the founders of the College of Puget Sound. She had been ill two weeks when death came.

Surviving relatives are two sons, Russell C. and D.L. Barlow Tacoma, two daughtrers, Mrs. Hertilla Day, and Mrs. Mildred McIlwraith, also of Tacoma, three sisters, Mrs. Mary Snyder, Spanaway; Mrs. Anna McAdam, Klatskanie, Oregon, and Mrs. Dixie Hodges, Portland, two brothers, Herndon Burr, Tacoma, and Henry Burr Tule Lake, Cal., and nine grandchildren

Mrs. G.C. Barlow, Tacoman's Widow, Dies in California

Mrs. George C. (Helen) Barlow, former resident of Tacoma and widow of a well known businessman and state legislator, died Tuesday after a long illness. She had lived in California the past 12 years.

Mrs. Barlow, 71, was born in Central City, Neb., and came to Tacoma in 1898. She attended the old Tacoma High School and the University of Washington and was a member of the Episcopal Church.

In 1907, she married George Barlow, president from 1918 until his death in 1931, of C.S. Barlow and Sons, Tacoma building material firm now headed by his brother, Russell Barlow. George Barlow was Republican representative from the 16th District, the same district Russell Barlow now serves as senator.

Mr. and Mrs. George Barlow were members of the Tacoma Country and Golf Club and numerous other organizations.

Services were held in California and cremation followed. Memorial services, however, will be held in the Tacoma Mausoleum, according to Mrs. D.N. Allstrum who is making arrangements for the final rites here.

Death Claims Native Son of This District Benjamin Lee Barlow, Born at Ladue, Near Coffin Rock, Dies at Kelso Home.

Death claimed another early day county pioneer Thursday when Benjamin Lee Barlow, 56, died at a Kelso hospital following a three month illness.

Mr. Barlow was born at Ladue near Coffin Rock, historical landmark of the Columbia river, on October 7, 1882. He was the son of Benjamin Barlow, Sr. who came to this community with his parents in 1852, when only a small boy. His grandparents settled on a farm near Ladue one fo the first post offices of this part of the state.

He continued to live on the family farm and in Kelso ever since. For the past few years he had been associated with the Columbia Smelt company. He was a member of the Kelso Presbyterian church.

Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the chapel of the Ditievsen Funeral home with Rev. Philip Laurie of the Kelso Presbyterian church officiating. Commitment will be in the Longview Memorial park.

Survivors are the widow, Mrs. Margaret Barlow, a daughter, Mrs. Virginia Brown of Kelso; two brothers, E.B. and James and a sister, Mrs. Charles H. Olson, all of Kelso. Two grandchildren also survive.

State Senator Russell C. Barlow, Republican candidate for re-election in the 26th District, pledges continued support of sound, business-like legislation. His statement says:

"Barlow introduced, and spear-headed against heavy opposition, legislation providing $3,000,000 for the Echo Lake cut-off. When completed, this road will save Pierce County motorists thousands of dollars each year.

"During the 1953 legislative session, Barlow introduced the log patrol bill which, according to state tax commissionn reports, has brought the state more than $33,000 in additional revenue since June, 1953.

Click to enlarge

"Barlow actively supported the appropriation measure which provided funds for increased enrollment and gave teachers an average $400 salary raise. He was one of a group of legislators origination the $20,000,000 school-construction bond issue enacted by the last Legislature.

Aided 40 Hour Week

"The 40-hour work week for 2,500 employes of 13 state institutions was provided for in a bill actively supported by Barlow."

"Barlow fought a proposed cut in appropriations for state parks, and he supported the money bill allowing the state to advertise its tourist attractions."

"Recognizing many people had been fleeced by unethical cemetery promoters, Barlow sponsored a state cemetery code."

"Barlow's service continued after the session adjourned."

He is currently a member of the Governor's Council for Agin Population and Industrial Insurance and Reapportionment Interim Committees.

"During the last legislative session, Barlow was chairman of the Senate's Commerce, Manufacturing and Transportation Committee, and a member of the committees on Aeronautics and Airports; Appropriations; Constitution, Election and Approptionment; Industrial Insurance, Medicine and Dentistry; Parks and Public Building, and Roads and Bridges."

Born in Tacoma

"Tacoma-born Barlow is a graduate of Stadium High School and of the University of Washington. His community activities: Past president, Tacoma Community Chest and ___cil, and former campaign ___man for the Community Chest."

"Barlow is president of Barlow & Sons, Inc., a building materials firm, and with ___ brother and a friend, operates a 150-acre farm near Eatonville."

R.C. (Russ) Barlow, former Washington State Senator (195_ -1959) and candidate for Pierce County commissioner from the Third District, issued the following campaign statement:

"My long service in the Legislature, and my 25 years as the head of a successful Tacoma business have given me a thorough knowledge of the actions necessary to solve the problems of the Third District. As a member of the State Senate's Highway Committee and the Interim Committee on Highways, Streets and Bridges, and as a participant in a number of conferences on highway construction and safety programs, I collected pertinent facts that enabled me to be instrumental in the passage of a number of highway bills."

"I introduced and sponsored the bill creating the Tacoma-Echo Lake Highway cutoff now under construction, and was responible for the bill placing the Puyallup Eatonville Road under the State Highway system."

"But a county commissioner must possess knowledge in many fields other than highways, streets and bridges. he must be familiar with budgets, hospital administration, ferry operations planning, purchasing, health and sanitation, civil defense, and agriculuture. I do not claim to be an expert in all these fields, but I do have a sound background that will enable me to gain the respect and cooperation of the key people in these vital fields. The fact that I have many friends in both parties should aid in gaining that cooperation."

"Our laws provide for three county commissioners. I believe these should be 'working' commissioners. When elected, I will make it a full-time job. Thus I shall take an active interest in civic affairs-- even more so than in the past; I shall visit the people of my district and learn how I may best serve them; I shall be able to meet at any time with any group - even though the meeting may be for the purpose of raking me over the coals. Regardless of the issue, my time and service shall be at the disposal of my constituents."

"I am past president of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce, former president of the UGN and currently vice president of the National Small Businessmen's Association, a native Tacoman, and retired president of Tacoma........... (the rest is missing)

R.C. Barlow, 82, community leader

Former State Sen. Russell C. Barlow, a prominent Tacoma civic leader died yesterday. He was 82.  Mr. Barlow, of 11926 Nyanza Road SW., was president of C.S. Barlow and Sons.

A native Tacoman, he served in the state senate for eight years before retiring from the post in 1959. He unsuccessfully sought the post of county commissioner in 1962. Mr. Barlow served as executive director of the Republican State Central Committee from 1963 to 1969.

Long active in the city's civic affairs, Mr. Barlow was past potentate of the Afifi Temple of the Shrine, past exalted ruler of the Elks, past president of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Fircrest Golf Club.

He was a charter member of the Tacoma Club and the National Small Businessmen's Association. He was president of the Tacoma Cemetery Association, Tacoma Cemetery, New Tacoma Cemetery, and New Tacoma Cemetery Mausoleum.

He served as president of both United Good Neighbors and the Community Chest.

Mrs. Lucille M. Barlow, 84, a long-time Lakewood resident, died Friday.

Born in Easton, she lived in the Tacoma area 60 years. She was a member of Little Church on the Prairie, Fern Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, the Lions Club Auxiliary and Zora Chapter, Daughters of the Nile.

Survivors include a son, Calvin S. of Nevada; two grandchildren and a great-grandchild.  Mountain View Funeral Home is in charge