Brown County World, Friday, 26 December 1913
BARTLEY—William R. Bartley, son of James and Sarah Bartley, was born in Lee county, Virginia, Aug. 1, 1839. August 18, 1859 he was married to Columbia E. Thomas. To this union eight children were born: James, who died in 1897 at Willis; Wm. R., now living at Jennings; Lizzie, wife of C. A. Simmons, of Kansas City; Emmeline, deceased; Jennie, wife of A. C. Baxter, of Waverly; Abijah H., of Powhattan; Alice, wife of E. C. Fulton of Oakley; and Elsie, who died at the age of three and a half years. Of his brothers and sisters, the following survive: S. P. Bartley, of Powhattan; Francis, of Robinson; John of Tennessee; Mrs. Emmeline Thomas, of California; Mrs. Nellie Fletcher, of Powhattan; Eliza Haynes, of Virginia, and Mrs. Fannie Bales, of New Mexico. While still under 30 years of age Mr. Bartley brought his family to Kansas, reaching Doniphan county, June 10, 1868. He remained in Doniphan county only until the spring of 1871 when he removed to Brown county, settling on the farm upon which he spent the remainder of his life. At an early age William Bartley was converted and united with the church. Upon coming to Kansas he identified himself with the religious life of the growing community and was one of the charter members of the Grand Prairie Methodist Episcopal church, organized and for several years holding its meetings in the school house. When the movement for a church building was inaugurated he gave himself without reserve to the work of planning and building. Thruout his life he has entered into the work of his Father’s house heartily as a part of his best life. The wife of his youth and the mother of his children died July 13, 1894. Aug. 25 he married Mrs. Sarah Powell who died Nov. 16, 1906. The almost 43 years of life this man gave to upbuilding of Brown county are reflected in the best the community possesses. In the sample home life the quiet earnest fidelity to the church, the genuine interest in the wellfare of his neighbors, he gave what he had and asked for nothing but a chance to do his part. The five surviving children, the grandchildren and brothers and sisters are joined by his neighbors and many friends in regret over his departure from our life sweetened by the memory of his years of companionship with us. Death claimed the mortal body Sunday afternoon, Dec. 14, after but a few days of illness but preceded by several months of declining vigor. The funeral was held Dec. 16, at Powhattan. E. E. Beauchamp, pastor of the deceased, and associated with him, W. J. Byers, pastor of the surviving brother at Robinson, conducted the service and the interment in the Powhattan cemetery.
Rev. E. E. Beauchamp.