Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

Truman Root Barlow

Male 1818 - 1860  (41 years)


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  • Name Truman Root Barlow 
    Born 9 Aug 1818  Granville, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died Feb 1860  Fairview Township, Shelby, Iowa, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I2614  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Father Jonathan Barlow,   b. 23 Jun 1769, Granville, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 Dec 1820, Granville, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 51 years) 
    Mother Annis Gillett,   b. 25 Jul 1784, Sharon, Norfolk, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Aug 1853, near Corley, Shelby, Iowa, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 69 years) 
    Married 13 Oct 1804  Granville, Hampden, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F958  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Sophronia Priscilla Reid,   b. 7 Jun 1842, Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Mar 1870, North Ogden, Weber, Utah, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 27 years) 
    Married 25 Dec 1856  , Pottawattamie, Iowa, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F1474  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. Reviewed Rootsweb.com Worldconnect Nov 2002.

      2. Censuses:
      1840 US: Hancock Co., Illinois, pg. 1, all occurring together in sequence:
      John Reed [possible relation of Sophronia Reed?], males 2@5-10, 1@15-20, 1@50-60; females 2@10-15, 1@50-60.
      Israel Barlow, males 1@10-15, 1@40-50; females 1@20-30.
      Truman Barlow, males 1@20-30.
      Edwd. Thomson, males 1@70-80; females 1 @50-60
      Joh'than W. Barlow [separate from above names by one family named Albert Rockwood], males 1@30-40.

      1850 US: Middle Ward Rock Island City, Dist. 37, Rock Island County, Illinois, 26 Oct 1850:
      Household 1165:
      Jonathan W. Barlow, 46, laborer, Mass.
      Lucinda Barlow, 27, OH.
      Alvina, 8, Iowa.
      Hiram, 6, Illinois.
      Nathan, 4, Illinois.
      Ellen, 6/12, Illinois.
      Household 1166:
      Truman Barlow, 30, laborer, Mass.
      Annis Barlow, 76, Mass.
      George Stone, 46, laborer, NY.
      George Stone, 15, laborer, Ohio.
      Cecilia Stone, 6, Mich.

      1852 Iowa: not listed in FHL book index for this 1852 Iowa census.

      BIOGRAPHY:
      1. From biographical register of the book: "Winter Quarters, The 1846-1848 Life Writings of Mary Haskin Parker Richards" edited by Maurine Carr Ward, Utah State University Press, 1996: "Barlow, Truman Root. Born August 9, 1818, Granville, Hampdon, Massachusetts, to Jonathan Barlow and Annis Gillett. Married Safrona Reed. Died Feb. 1858, probably in Harlan, Shelby, Iowa, where Truman owned land and was living in Sep. 1856. One of the first police of Nauvoo. Remained in Nauvoo after his brother Israel left so he could sell Israel's lands. May have been the Brother Barlow just in from Farmington, Iowa, in Oct. 1847. Traveled to Davenport, Iowa, April 1848. Lost the sight of both eyes by blasting a well while living in Iowa. Source: 'Barlow, The Israel Barlow Story and Mormon Mores'."

      2. Ora Barlow, "The Israel Barlow Story and Mormon Mores":
      p. 180, references a census taken of the Nauvoo, Illinois, wards which show the following in the 3rd ward:
      Israel and Elizabeth Barlow. [Next door:] Edward and Anis Thompson, Truman R. Barlow
      p. 182 shows a map of lands owned by Israel and Truman Barlow in Nauvoo.
      p. 189 notes he has no wife in one land transaction dated 9 Mar 1847.
      p. 207 quotes from the 26 Dec 1844 minutes of the "Sixth Quorum of Seventy" that Truman Barlow was motioned and seconded "to be received into the quorum as members thereof to fill vacancies having occurred by removals."
      pp. 304-306 quotes from a letter written 12 Sep 1853 by Israel while in Rock Island, IL at the home of his sister-in-law, Mrs. Lucinda Beebe Barlow, the widow of Israel's brother Jonathan Watson Barlow who had moved to that city in the 1840's and had died there 20 Jul 1851. Israel was traveling through on his way to his mission to England. Spelling uncorrected: "...befoure I left Kainesvill for good I found where Truman and Mother wure Settled, I traveled Some thirty miles East on to the Nishnebonana River then up the River Some thirty od miles found My Br Truman and my Mother in the wild wilderness 3 or four miles to the nearest neighbor I inquired in an od Tone of voice if I could Stay there Over the Nite The response was yes The nexte word that I spoke Truman Says with a raised a Tone of voice Israel is it you I could but reply in the affermative truly it is he Soon clasped my hand and flung his armes a round my Neck and exclaimed O my Dear Brother I never expected to See you a gain are you and your family well Mother Says she lyes at the point of Death I am glad that you have Come I stayed that Nite and the next day and the day and nite following tho mother was very Sick She appeared to be better the folloing day and I thought probaly that She mite get along again from hur appearance. Saturday the 13 of Aug I Left My Ever Dear kind and Afflicted Brother Truman my Kind old Mother the prospects that I never Should See hur again Returned to Kainsvill prepared for my journey after geting Some necisaries for Mother in hur Sickness Left Kanisvill in Co - with Br Charles R Dana on the Sixteenth of Aug 12 days after our arivle in Kainsvill..."
      pp. 310-313 of same letter quotes: "...the Evening I past Montrose I took a Letter out of the office from Br Truman it informe me of Mothers Death on the 18 of aug the Morning that I left Calvin Bushes 30 miles from Trumans place but Did not no it at the time I very mutch regreted that it So hapened if Mother has heur age Correct She is 72 years old She is the 5 out of the Circle of My Farthers Family My Eldest Brother Nathaniel My farther Jonathan Barlow, my Sister Annis Gennet george Stones wife, Jonatha W. Barlow at Rockiland my Brother & Annis gillet my Mother the wife of Jonathan Barlow My father. I have heard nothing from my Sister Margaret Bunnell Since Last Spring one of hur Sons by the Name of Joseph Lives with Truman... My Br Truman has thought to go to Farming for a Living he has got two or three Small boyes with him but the Death of mother will frustrate his plans again I do not know what he will do now he has made a Clame of one hundred and Sixty acres Cleared of and planted 5 acres Saved Some Aple Seeds bilt a hous gogot a yoke of Cattle one hors and a waggon one Cow Some hogs it is very Diffcilt for him to get along and espetialy Since Mother is dedd I calculate to write to him this day..."
      p. 315: "The knowledge of how Truman had become partially blind was unexpectedly given by Hosea Stout: 'Tues Apl 4th 1848 T.R. Barlow, one of the first police of Nauvoo was here this evening. He had lost both his eyes by blowing a well & was entirely blind.'" Source quoted is the book: "On the Mormon Frontier," 1964, edited by Juanita Brooks and "Diary of Hosea Stout."
      p. 315 in which the author partially located the land owned by Truman Barlow as being three to four miles south of the community of Corley or 5 miles south of Harlan. See source for legal description of land. The date on the deed is 20 Dec 1856. He is also noted in the county history list of the 32 earliest settlers as "a blind man named Barlan [Barlow]."
      p. 330: "Without doubt Truman, the only full brother alive, had greatly helped Israel in disposing of his lots in Nauvoo as indicated in Chaper VI."
      p. 336 from Israel's diary for 30 Mar 1854: "Spent the day in wrightin Letters to my wife and Br T.R. Barlow in America."
      p. 422: "It was on June 12, 1857 that Israel's first child of plural marriage was born... whom they named Truman after Israel's youngest brother, Truman Root Barlow living in Iowa, who would die the following February..."

      3. From 30 Nov 2002 website which is the autobiography of Joseph Holbrook.
      In speaking of Nauvoo in January of 1844: "Cut hay out on the prairie about ten miles, bought a small farm with Brother Ancosn Call about four miles up the river from Nauvoo with a log house containing 18 acres, paid one hundred dollars... My health was rather poor so that I was not able to do but little work but I went and prepared grafts for the grafting for choice kinds of fruit. My health still poor, Brother Anson Call took Truman Barlow but found him a slow hand at the business..."

      4. Early Iowa references to children of Charles and Margaret (Barlow) Bunnell who were nephews to Truman Barlow and in the same area as Truman:
      a. FHL film 934962 "History of Pottawattamie Co., Iowa," by Field and Reed, 1907, pp. 1078-1079, contains the following biography of the grandson of Charles and Margaret (Barlow) Bunnell with references to Truman Barlow. Note also a grandchild named Annis probably for Annis Gillette who was Margaret's mother: "W.E. Bunnell, who is now operating a part of the old homestead farm and is also engaged in stock-raising, was born in Knox township, November 18, 1866, his parents being Joseph A. and Sarah J. (Headley) Bunnell, who were of English descent. The father was born January 10, 1836, in Portage county, Ohio, and acquired a common school education there. When sixteen years of age he accompanied his parents on their removal to Clinton county, Iowa, where his father took up government land, and he assisted in the improvement and cultivation of the farm for some time. He next went to Shelby county, this state, where he lived with his uncle, Truman R. Barlow, who was blind but had an excellent education, and he remained with him until the uncles' death. Joseph A. Bunnell made claim to a tract of wild land in Shelby county before it came into market. He was married August 14, 1856, to Miss Sarah J. Headley and the following spring removed to Nebraska, where he engaged in breaking prairie with ox teams throughout the summer, while he spent the winter in Omaha hauling cord wood and brick. That city was then a small village, the Indians being still there, and Mr. Bunnell and his wife lived in a log house. In the spring of 1863 they returned to his claim in Shelby county and he began the improvement of his place. On the 14th of October, 1863, in response to the country's call for aid, he offered his services to the government, enlisting as a member of Company M, Ninth Regiment of Iowa Volunteers, and he was in battle under General Shelby at Duvalls Bluff. The regiment was engaged in guarding the Memphis & Little Rock Railroad - a very dangerous service. Mr. Bunnell participated in other skirmishes, battles and military duties, serving until almost the close of the war but escaped without a scratch. He was honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, in February, 1865. While in the army his wife lived at Newton, Pottawattamie county, and when his military experience was over he settled on a farm in Knox township, where he first purchased eighty acres. As a result of his energy and perseverance he was enabled to add to this from time to time until he became the owner of 600 acres of as fine bottom land as can be found in Pottawattamie county. He also had 3200 acres in the Alberta district of Canada, besides other real estate. All of this property he acquired through his own well directed efforts for he was a self-made man, industrious, enterprising and progressive. After a well spent life he died November 29, 1906, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a member. Having accumulated extensive holdings he left his family in very comfortable circumstances but the estate is not yet settled. In his political views Joseph A. Bunnell was a stanch republican, having firm faith in the principles and ultimate triumph of the party. He was affiliated with U.S. Grant post, No. 123, G.A.R., at Avoca, and held several of the minor offices of the township, being regarded in the commnity as one of its leading and influential citizens. He possessed superior business ability, displayed keen discernment in placing his investments and in the management of his property as well. Whatever he undertook he carried forward to successful completion and as the years passed by won a place among the prosperous residents of the county. On August 14, 1856, he married Miss Sarah J. Headley and unto them were born nine children: Amanda J., George E., Annis D., Walter E., Albert E., Charles S., Ola G., Emma V. and one who died in infancy. W.E. Bunnell has spent his entire life in Knox township and is now operating a part of the old homestead farm. He was educated in the public schools, his time being divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. When he had attained his majority he resolved to engage in the occupation to which he had been reared and is now accounted one of the enterprising agriculturists of the community. In addition to tilling the soil he is now raising cattle, horses and hogs and his livestock interests are an important branch of his business, bringing to him a very gratifying income. In 1893 Mr. Bunnell was married to Miss Lulu Bunnell, a cousin, who was born in Shelby county, Iowa, in 1877. She was one of a family of ten children and her parents are now living east of Des Moines. Unto our subject and his wife have been born five children: Lela Beth, Joseph Albert, Eugene, Ruth and Grace Cathryne. Mr. Bunnell is an advocate of the republican party and his wife is a member of the Medhodist Episcopal church. He has served as school director and school trustee for three years and both he and his wife are held in high esteem, being accorded a position of prominence in public regard in Knox township., Mr. Bunnell is a representative of one of the old pioneer families here and the work which was instituted by his grandfather and carried on by his father is being continued by him, for he is known as one of the leading, alert and enterprising agriculturrists of his community."
      b. FHL book 977.7484 H2w, vol. 1, "Past and Present of Shelby County, Iowa," by Edward S. White, published by B.F. Bowen and Co., 1915:
      P. 109: "William Howlett, an Englishman, who gave his name to Howlett's Grove, in Fairview township, came there in 1859. Near him settled, about this time, Byron Bunnell, a member of the Latter-Day Saints church. A man name Barlow also settled there very early."
      P. 112: "Fairview. From the best data obtainable the author is inclined to believe that the first man to settle in what is now Fairview township was Thomas Jefferson Tague... who built a log cabin on the east side of the Botna river in 1851 near the south boundary line of the county. Other early settlers were: ...Byron L. Bunnell..."
      P. 212: "The first sub-division of the county, for the purpose of government, was made in 1854, by County Judge James M. Butler. His entry is very indefinite and without designating boundaries, divides 'the county of Shilby into two townships for the purpose of holding elections in the same, which precincts are known as Galland's Grove precinct and the Southern precinct.' On April 9, 1859, County Judge H.A. Tarkington divided Round Township into three townships, as follows: All that part thereof lying south... therefore, included the present townships fo Clay, Monroe, Fairview, and Shelby, to be known as 'Perrin' township. Judge Tarkington fixed the place of voting in said township at the residence of Joseph Bunnell..."
      P. 412: "The old Latter-Day Saints' log church at Galland's Grove was undoubtedly the first building used for school purposes in Shelby county, since it was erected about 1855, and was at once used, not only for church services, but as a school house. One of the earliest schools in the county was located... in the village of Manteno, in Grove township, the site having been conveyed to the district township of Galland's Grove by William W. Reed on January 5, 1861. Very early school houses in Fairview township were built on land conveyed to the district township of Fairview by Joseph A. Bunnell, Dec. 19, 1863, and on land conveyed by B. and T.J. Tague to the same township Oct. 25, 1865."
      Chapter XXVII: "Military History. In less than ten years after the organization of Shelby county as a civil unit, the great Civil War broke fiercely upon the country. Shelby county had scarcely passed the log-cabin stage of development, when men were traveling to mill and market over the winding trails, along the ridges and the plateaus and skirting the heads of streams, then unbridged, and when the prairies and sloughs of the county were yet furnishing sustenance and refuge for wild animals. Under these circumstances it was that the young men of Shelby county were called upon to assume the stern responsibilities of their citizenship in common with the other people of Iowa. Shelby county went to the defense of the colors right loyally, sending, it is estimated, one man out of every six then residing within her newly created boundaries. These volunteers came from Cuppy's Grove, Bowman's Grove, Manteno, Hacktown and Harlan. Here are the names of these men consitituting Shelby county's roll of honor... Joseph A. Bunnell, Company M, Ninth Iowa Cavalry..."

      5. It is mentioned in the book The Town of Mendon 1813-2000 and Village of Honeoye Falls 1838-2000 by Diane Ham and Anne Bullock, Honeoye Falls-Town of Mendon Historical Society, January 2000, p. 75, that Annis Gillett, George Gillett Lockwood, Julia Ann Lockwood, Israel Barlow, Jonathan Barlow, Truman Barlow, Annis Barlow and Rhoda Barlow all went to Kirtland, OH with the Mormons in 1832.

      6. Nauvoo LDS Land and Records Office research file (copy in my possession as of 2 Jun 2007) provides the following information (also partially viewable at www.earlylds.com):
      A. Property:
      a. Kimball 1st: Block 2 Lot 70, part
      Kimball 1st: Block 2, 71 N/2, part
      T6 R6 Sec 9 NW/4 161.42 Acres
      b. Illinois, Nauvoo, Property Transactions 1844-1847.
      B. Nauvoo Records:
      a. 70's Records, Q6, p. 41.
      b. Members, LDS, 1830-1848, by Susan Easton Black, Vol. 3, p. 602.
      c. Members of the Nauvoo Legion, Source: "A History of the Nauvoo Legion in Illinois, " MA Thesis, BYU, John Sweeney, Jr.:
      T. Barlow, 2d. LT., May 1, 1841, Line.
      T. Barlow, 3rd. LT., April 6, 1841 - 1st Cohort, 1st Battalion, 1st Regiment.
      Truman Barlow, 1st LT., Sep. 24, 1842 - ,,, 1st Company.
      C. Histories:
      a. History of the Church, V 5, p. 486: "Report of Relief Expedition Led by Charles C. Rich: The detachment left the main body of the camp and started from McQueen's Mills about one a.m. on Monday, the 26th of June, under the command of General Rich, as follows" - C.C.Rich, Hosea Stout, John Pack, Truman R. Barlow, James W. Cummings, Daniel Carnes, Jesse P. Harmon, Aloanson Ripley, Stephen Abbott, Charles W. Hubbard, A.L. Fullmer, Joel E. Terry, Alfred Brown, Dr. Joseiah Ells, William Edwards, Thomas Woolsey, Osmon M. Duel, Dr. Samuel Bennnett, ___ Babcock, Isaiah Whitesides, Jesse B. Nichols, Stephen Wilkinson, Samuel Galley, and four or five others, on horses, with one baggage wagon drawn by two horses, with instructions to proceed to the Peoria, there cross the Illinois river, and then proceed up the east side of the river on the main stage road leading from Springfield to Ottawa. (Narrative continues but not all pages was copied - something about going after Joseph Smith July 1843.)
      D. Misc. Comments:
      a. Truman was a member of the Nauvoo 3rd Ward per Nauvoo: Early Mormon...Series, 1839-1846. Platt, Lyman Jr.
      b. Truman was a policeman in Nauvoo.

      7. From my 6 Sep 2011 visit to the courthouse of Shelby County: (Note: I did not find any deeds or probate for Truman's mother Annis (Gillette) Barlow/Lockwood/Thompson who died in Shelby County in 1853.)
      A. Land transactions:
      a. Deed Book A, p. 294, Mortgage: "Truman Barlow" mortgages $100 for 5 years at 10% interest from lender Wm. W. Reed, School Fund Commissioner. Land to revert to Reed if payments are not made. Agreement dated 1 Jan 1855, recorded 1 Jan 1856, and satisfied (per marginal note) 18 Aug 1859. The SE 1/4 of the SW quarter of Section 14 and the NE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 23, T. 78 N. of Range 39 W containing 80 acres.
      b. Deed Book B, pp. 14-15, Mortgage: "Truman R. Barlow of Shelby County," grantor, to "Charles Bunnell of Clinton County," grantee, dated 2 Jul 1856, filed 8 Feb 1857. Same piece of land described in transaction above. Price $100 payable in two years at 10% interest per annum. Charles Bunnell would be Truman's relation through his sister Margaret.
      c. Deed Book B, p. 606, Power of Attorney: "Sophronia P. Barlow," grantor, to John W. Reed, grantee, power of attorney, dated 18 May 1861 and filed 26 Jul 1861, to act in her behalf for land owned in Shelby County by her "deceased husband T. R. Barlow." Shelby County judge ordered the sale of the land. John W. Reed is most likely Sophronia's father with whom she was living in the 1860 census.
      d. Deed Book B, p. 625, Deed: "Truman R. Barlow and wife Sophronia P. of Shelby County," grantor, to Silas Geer, grantee. Warranty deed executed 10 Sep 1859 and filed 29 Oct 1861. Land appears to be about half of the original deed listed in item "a" above and described in the deed as NW 1/4 of SW 1/4 of Sect. 23 in T.78N of Range 39, containing "40 acres more or less."
      B. Probate for Truman R. Barlow is 35 pages long. Index book in County Clerk's office lists it as "found in attic, no case #." No probate for his mother Annis. The probate is on microfilm in the clerk's office. They could not find it when I was there but have subsequently found it and copies of it can be ordered by mail for a fee. I have not reviewed it.
      C. County vital records started in the late 1800s considerably after the time period in which we are interested.

      MARRIAGE:
      1. Per website http://iagenweb.org/pottawattamie/vitals-marriages.htm#MiscRegister "Pottawattamie County Iowa Marriages of Original Court Records, Clerk of the District Court, 1848 - 1880." (Extracted from Microfilm. Further records can be found in microfilms at the LDS Library, FHL microfilms 1018501 through 1018509 and microfilm 227280 for years 1848-1856.): "Barlow, Truman R.; Reel, Sophronia P. 25 Dec 1856, Reel family of Crescent and Loveland, IA." [Kerry's note: judging from 1860 census, I believe the last name was perhaps transcribed wrong and should be Reed. The added note in the posted database of Reel family of Crescent and Loveland, IA" I believe to be in error.]

      DEATH:
      1. The following would indicate a death of Feb 1860 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 for Shelby Co., Iowa, taken Jun 1860: Name: Truman Barlow; Gender: Male; Marital Status: Married; Place of Birth: Ohio; Estimated Birth Year: abt 1820; Age: 40; Month of Death: Jan; Cause of Death: Lung Fever; illness lasted 3 months; Place of Death: Caffys Grove, Shelby, Iowa Census; Year: 1860 Image Source: Census Place (City, County, State): Caffys Grove, Shelby, Iowa; Roll: A1156_55; Page:; Enumeration District:; Line Number: 1. Residency Country: United States.

      2. There are two cemeteries in close proximity to the land which Truman owned. The first is in Corley and the second is at Cuppy's Grove. Corley today is nothing more than a large block of farming houses with no town structure (a wide spot in the road). Cuppy's Grove is nothing but a very rural church with a cemetery established by the Dutch in about 1852. Both areas are surrounded by rural farming land with the Nishnebonana River running through. The known burials of both cemeteries are on the Internet and neither Truman nor his mother are listed in either. The land is in Fairview Township and straddles section 14 and 15. It can be reached be going east from Corley to Oak Road. Turn right on Oak and follow it until the road makes a hard right to the west then a hard left south. The land is immediately straight ahead if the left turn was not made.

      3. Shelby County Courthouse in Iowa has the probate for Truman R. Barlow. It is 34 pages long and has no case number; however, the Clerk of the Court has an index in their office which indicates on which of their microfilms the case can be located. I have not seen it since it was unlocatable at the time of my visit; however, they have since found it and entered it into the index. Apparently Truman died intestate and these are the court orders of administration of the estate. For the fee, the Clerk will send a copy ofthe probate. The clerk as of Sep 2011 is Vicki Krohn 712-755-5543.