Cornelius Barrett's obituary, Charlotte, Eaton County, Michigan

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SUBJECT: Cornelius Slocum BARRETT (1842-1900)
SUBMITTER: Alice Raven
EMAIL: raviac@iname.com
DATE: Apr 02, 1999
SURNAMES: BARRETT, MEADE, SHAW, McCONNELL, SLOCUM
Cornelius S. Barrett passed to the higher life at one o'clock a.m. Monday
morning. He has been gradually failing for years and especially since receiving
a stroke of paralysis four years ago. The day before he had taken a drive
with Mrs. Barrett. He took medicine regularly and at one o'clock Mrs. B.
asked him how he was feeling. "First rate," was his cheerful answer. He asked 
her to draw the covering over a shoulder, This she did and gave him his medicine. 
He turned over, gave only a gasp and his spirit had left its earthly clay. The 
following is the short address delivered by Rev. Frank McAlpine at the funeral 
which was held from the residence at 2:00 p. m. today and largely attended.

Cornelius S. Barrett was born October 13, 1842, in Commerce township, Oakland
county, Michigan. After an eventful, sympathetic and useful life, he closed
his earthly pilgrimage, July 23, 1900, in his fifty-eighth year, leaving
his wife and immediate home circle, besides many relatives and a host of
friends to mourn his departure. But the cloud that has settled over his
home and over our entire community is not without its silvery lining. No
one can knew what he has suffered during the 38 years since he received
the fearful injury in the army. Though outwardly cheerful and uncomplaining,
yet he has counted the passing moments of his life by the throbs of pain.
At last the strong, cbeerful man, the uncomplaining sufferer, has found
perfect rest and freedom from pain. Our sorrow is softened by the consciousness
that he no longer suffers.

In early life, Mr. Barrett learned the painter's trade, but loyalty to
our country and flag prompted him to abandon his trade, leave home and
friends and offer his life upon the altar of liberty and union. On February
28, 1862. in his twentieth year, he enlisted in Co. I 16th Mich. Infantry
and was at once sent to the front. In the engagement at Gaines' Hill, Virginia,
he received a severe injury in which his limb was badly shattered and he
was left upon the field for dead. Later, however, he was removed to the
hospital and the limb cared for, but it never fully healed. Seeing that
be would not be able for service again, he was discharged, December 29,
1852, at Fortress Monroe. With characteristic heroism and determination
Comrade Barrett endured his misfortune and tried for nearly twenty years
to save his limb but was finally forced to consent to the amputation, as
the only hope of saving his life. The amputation was successfully performed
by Dr. Patterson of Charlotte, November 10, 1879. A number of years of
comparatively improved health, and happy and successful business and official
life followed, but the shattered nerves could not longer keep up the heroic
struggle. In the early part of May, 1896, while visiting his father at
Walled Lake, a stroke of paralysis left him practically helpless, like
the dismantled ship on the ocean in the storm. Without complaint Comrade
Cornelius S. Barrett has fought the battle of life under such disadvantages
and yet with such determined heroism as to awaken our profoundest admiration,
our deepest sympathy and our sincerest love. It was one of life's compensations
that permitted him to close his pilgrimage suddenly and peacefully, as
he desired, in the quiet harbor of a tender and true home, where the loving
heart and hands of his loyal companion could comfort him with their constant
ministrations.

He leaves the record of a life for which no apology is needed. But very
few could take the burden that he carried away from the battlefield of
his country and make as good a life record as Comrade Barrett has made.
The country cannot do too much for such soldiers. The memory he leaves
is one that we shall all love to cherish.

In political affiliations, Mr. Barrett was a democrat, but when running
for office he commanded much more than the support of his own party.

In religious faith he was a Universalist, believing in the Fatherhood of
God, the Brotherhood of Man, the triumph of right over wrong and somewhere
and somehow in the Divine economy the complete triumph of a Father's love,
in the final holiness and happiness of all souls.

A week before Mr. Barrett crossed the silent river, Mrs. Barrett read the
following poem to him and it met his heartiest approval for in anticipation
of the close of the earth life, he had put all his business affairs in
readiness, and so was onlyy waiting, without fear or doubt, or hesitancy,
the final change:

The Beyond.
It seemeth such a little way to me,
Across to that strange country, the beyond,
And yet not strange, for it has grown to be
The home of those of whom I am so fond,
It makes it seem familiar and most dear,
As journeying friends bring distant regions near.
So close it lies that when my sight is clear
I think I almost see the gleaming strand,
I know I feel those who have gone from here
Come close enough sometimes to touch my hand.
I often think but for our veiled eyes
We should find heaven right round about us here,
I cannot make it seem a day to dread
When from this dear earth I shall journey out
To that still dearer Country of the dead.
And join tho lost ones for long dreamed about.
I love this world, yet I shall love to go
To meet the friends who wait for me I know,
And so for me there is no sting to death,
And so the grave has lost its victory.
It is but crossing with abated breath,
And with set face a little strip of sea
To find the loved ones waiting on the shore,
More beautiful, more precious than before.

--Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Mr. Barrett was a K.P. and member of the G.A.R. and retained a loyal membership
in the I.O.O.F. until failing health made it necessary for him to give
up his membership.

Mr. Barrett's official life covers quite a long period of time. He served
as recorder (now city clerk) of Charlotte for several years. From 1883
to 1885, he was city treasurer. He was postmaster, under President Cleveland's
first term, holding the office till September 1889. Under Governor Winan's
administration Mr. Barrett held an appointment in the auditor general's
office, during which time he resided in Lansing. Fidelity and efficiency
marked his entire official career. He was deservedly popular with all.

While sorrows have come to his home, still his domestic life has been a
source of great joy. In 1869, he married Miss Alta A. Meade. To this union
two sons were born. After several years of joyous life, the great sorrow
visited his omc and the companion passed over the silent river. In 1885
he married Mrs. C. N. Shaw, who with her two daughters survives him. The
union was a happy one. The home, as many friends will testify, has been
an ideal home. And so life to him and his bereaved companion has brought
its compensations. The joyous notes have been more numerous than the sad
ones. The sunshine has been greater than the clouds. The faith and hope
have been bright, and the prevailing tones of gladness have swept the few
discordant tones into harmony, thus making life, on the whole, a pleasing
anthem. Naturally of a sunny temperament, he was inclined to look on the
bright side, to forget self and live for others. Tried, and wherever tried
found true.

[Notes: His parents were Timothy Philemon BARRETT and Sabra Amelia SLOCUM.
The two sons from his first marriage were Dr. Fred L. BARRETT and Harry
BARRETT. Second wife "Mrs. C.N. Shaw" was born Celia (Ceal) N.
McCONNELL. I have no publication details for this clipping.]