My Genealogy Hound

MRS. MARY BARRON. There is, perhaps, none more worthy of special mention in this work than Mrs. Mary Barron. Her parents were natives of Ireland and devoted members of the Catholic church, and both were highly esteemed by rich and poor alike, for their kindness and generosity to those in need or distress. The father, John Powers, was a thrifty, frugal farmer. Her paternal grandfather, Patrick Powers, was also a native of Ireland and a farmer, and her paternal grandmother, Bridget Cunningham, was likewise a native of the same country. John Powers married, in Ireland, Miss Kittie Kennedy, and died in 1864 at the age of seventy-five years. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Powers came to America and remained five years, then returned to Ireland. To her union with Mr. Powers were born eight children, viz. — Edward (deceased); Patrick and Thomas, who live in Ireland; John (died at Vicksburg, Miss.,); Martin, living in New York City; Margaret (deceased); Bridget, living in Australia; Johana (deceased), and Mary, the subject of this memoir. In 1863, at the age of seventeen, she came to America from her native country, stopping first in Clinton county, Pa.; there she remained one year, and after a trip west returned to Pennsylvania and was married to Mr. William Barron, also a native of Ireland. Mr. Barron was born in 1840 and when twenty-three years of age immigrated to America, locating in Pennsylvania. Soon after his marriage he moved to Omaha, Nebr., and from there to Elm Creek, where his widow still resides. He was a devoted and consistent member of the Catholic church, and every one who knew him esteemed him highly for his kindness of heart and honorable dealing. Those persons who tried to honestly help themselves, always found a good friend and helper in Mr. Barron. For fifteen years he was section boss on the Union Pacific Railroad, but in 1872 he pre-empted and turned it into a timber claim, in ‘74, what is now a well improved farm. He began life with nothing. In politics, Mr. Barron was a democrat; was a member of the Order of United Workmen and also the Grange. While Mr. Barron was working on the railroad, he narrowly escaped death at the hands of the Indians. One morning upon reaching their place of work, he and a few others with him, discovered that seven Indians, not far away, were endeavoring to surround him and his companions so as to cut off all chance of escape. The section men immediately started back toward Elm Creek. Mr. Barron had with him his gun and two bullets; one he fired at the Indian in front of him, but did no serious damage; the second bullet did not kill the Indian, for he did not fire to kill, but to scare away, and it did scare. They then made their escape to Elm Creek.