William Ezra Barklow

M, (18 June 1847 - 12 November 1913)
     William Ezra Barklow was born on 18 June 1847 at Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio.1 He was the son of Stout St. Leger Barklow and Sarah Jane Jeffords. William Ezra Barklow has also been reported to have been born June 1849 Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio. He died on 12 November 1913 at 826 Third Street, Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio, at age 66 years, 4 months and 25 days.2 He has also been reported to have died 1900 Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio. He was buried on 14 November 1913 in the Greenlawn Cemetery, located in Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio. The funeral service was officiated by Reverend C. S. Brooks.2
     His obituary was published on 12 November 1913 in the Portsmouth Daily Times, printed in Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio. His obituary stated:

     William Barklow

A man, whose brave deeds and honorable life will always remain green in the memory of his friends passed to his final reward Wednesday morning when death claimed William Barklow, one of the city's best known residents. His death occurred at the family residence, 826 Third street and followed an extended illness caused by Bright's Disease. Mr. Barklow was not any worse than he had been until last night when he suffered a sinking spell which soon ended in his death.

When the steamer Pat Rogers burned to the water's edge in 1874 Mr. Barklow was a passenger on the ill fated craft. At the risk of his own life he remained on the boat and saved many lives. So intent was he in saving his friends that he failed to realize that his own life was imperiled. He was compelled to leap into the river and swim ashore. Fifty persons lost their lives in the burning of this steamer and many of the older residents will recall with vividness the horror attending this holocaust. Mr. Barklow had $600 on currency on his person when he jumped into the river as the voracious flames closed in on him. The money was water-soaked but it was saved. He performed yeoman service in this tragic event and friends of Mr. Barklow always insisted that he saved no less than twenty lives in this awful disaster.

Mr. Barklow was born in Portsmouth in 1847. He had never entered the state of matrimony. For the past seven years he had led a retired life. Prior to this he was for many years engaged in the coal business. He was a life long Democrat and always evinced much interest in the welfare of his party. He is survived by two sisters, Miss Margaret Barklow and Mrs. Agnes Roe, who are at home.

Mr. Barklow was a splendid, straightforward citizen. He was a man who practiced honesty in his every day life and his taking off will be deeply regretted.

The funeral services will be conducted from the home Friday afternoon at 2:30 by the Rev. C. S. Brooks and interment will be made in Greenlawn.2
Last Edited=1 May 2006

Citations

  1. [S320] William Barklow obituary, Portsmouth Daily Times, Portsmouth, Ohio, 12 November 1913, birth year listed as 1847.
  2. [S320] William Barklow obituary, Portsmouth Daily Times, 12 November 1913.