The Clinch County News
Friday, June 11, 1926

William Barlow Obituary

Text of Wm. Barlow, 4 obituary in Clinch County News, Friday, June 11, 1926
Original newspaper obtained from Lois Thornton, granddaughter of
Wm. Barlow
Death of Hon. Wm. Barlow

Hon. William Barlow, old and well-known citizen of Clinch county, died at the home of his son  G. B. Barlow in Jacksonville, Fla. last Sunday following a sudden paralytic stroke.  He had suffered a previous stroke a couple of years ago which deprived him of the use of his right arm and he almost lost the use of the right leg.
The remains were brought by hearse from Jacksonville and buried in the Homerville cemetery Tuesday at noon.  Rev. W. L. Sweat, Congregational Methodist minister of Waycross, conducted the funeral exercises.  After he concluded, the local lodge of Masons took the body and deposited it in the grave after which they had the usual Masonic ceremonies.  The deceased was a member of the Masons having joined them in 1889. 
Mr. Barlow was born in Lazarus county, (
error), in December, 1850.  He came to Clinch county with other members of his family sometime about 1865 and spent the remainder of his life here.  Early in life he was baptized and united with the old Magnolia Baptist church, by which he was ordained to the ministry about 1890.  He served Magnolia church and Bethel church and several other churches for some time.
About 1875 he was married to Victoria, daughter of Hon. David O'Quin and wife of Magnolia, and to them were born four children who are living, viz: Mrs. Matilda Craps of Camak, Co., G. B., and Claude L. Barlow of Jacksonville, and Newton Barlow of Augusta.  The first wife died about 1890 and Mr. Barlow married a Miss Arnold of near Millwood, Ware county, and to them were born: Hattie, who married John M. Chancy, Jacksonville, Fla.; Waver J. Barlow of Atkinson, Ga.; Lizzie, who married Nolan L. Capps; Thomas Watson Barlow;  Needham Barlow;  Inez, who married Leonard Booth; and Lorena who married Samuel A. Smith, Homerville, route two.  About two years ago Mrs. Barlow died and since then "Uncle Bill" has been living about with his children.
When the Populist party was formed in Clinch in the early nineties Mr. Barlow espoused its cause and became one of its foremost leaders in this county.  He was their candidate for county office three or four times, and the last time being in 1900 when he was defeated by his Democratic opponent, Hon. S. L. Drawdy.  Although the party fell through and became disrupted, Mr. Barlow always continued an ardent admirer of the late Senator Thomas E. Watson, reading his papers for years.
In 1920 Mr. Barlow was elected county commissioner from the DuPont-Magnolia district, defeating a field of three others.  He served his term 1921 to Jan. 1, 1925, with unanswering faith to the course of right as he saw it, always positive in his stands and fair in his decisions.  During his term as commissioner, he advocated better schools and better roads along with economy in government.

Mr. Barlow lived in the Magnolia district from 1882 to a little over a year ago when he sold out his holdings there to his son W. J. Barlow and F. L. Saunders.  His home on the public road down there, was known to all as a place to stop in and partake of "Uncle Bill's" hospitality.  On seemingly very poor land he always made good crops.  By close attention to his business affairs and always being economical, he amassed a very nice competence in life so it is said.

William Barlow, IV, Biography
Barlows of Clinch County, Georgia
Colleen Barlow Obituary
Colquitt Bashlor Obituary