Frederick Ellis Barker Obituaries

VETERAN COURT REPORTER DEAD

Operation for Relief of Eye Strain results in Death of Well-known Native Utahn

Frederick Ellis Barker, 61 years of age, veteran court reporter, died yesterday at the family home, 145 Fourth avenue, following an operation to relieve a pressure on the nerves of his eyes. He also was reporter for the Mormon church. He was born at Ogden. His father, Simon Barker, was one of the pioneers of Mound Fort, Ogden.

Mr. Barker grew up on a farm, attending school in the winter. He was a student in high school for about five months. He studied shorthand at home with his brother, principally without a teacher, and in about three years became a reporter. One of his earliest pieces of public reporting was the celebrated discussion between Ben E. Rich and the Rev. Dr. Hartley, which was published in pamphlet form.

He was active in Mormon church work, acting for eight years as the first secretary to the Mount Fort YMMIA. He was called on a mission in 1885 to work in the Logan temple. After his release he came to Salt Lake City to work for President Heber J. Grant. He studied law and became a practicing attorney, continuing the same alternately with terms as court reporter until a few years before his death. He acted as one of the reporters of forty-nine general conferences, including that of last October, though the failing of his sight make his last work extremely difficult.

Mr. Barker was one of the presidents of the 113^th and then of the 124^th quorum of seventy. In 1898 he went on a mission to Australia and was president of the mission for three years. He returned by way of India, Palestine and Europe. He was a member of the Round the World club.

Since December, 1920, he had worked in the Salt Lake temple.

He lived an entirely exemplary life, both as a man and citizen. He sent one son on a mission and afforded a college education for all his children except one, who married after completing high school. One son served in the world war.

He is survived by his widow, Cecilia Sharp Barker, and by the following children: Fred G. Barker, Lucile Barker, Mrs. Gladys B. Westwood, Alma Sharp Barker, Joseph Ira Barker and Clarence S. Barker, and four grandchildren, all of Salt Lake, and by two sisters, Mrs. Clarissa B. Barlow and Mrs. Evaline B. James of Ogden.

The funeral will take place Tuesday at 2 o’clock from the Eighteenth ward chapel, Second avenue and A street.

(Probably from the Deseret News, 1922)

F. E. Barker Passes Away

Native of Ogden Dies in Salt Lake Following Operation

Salt Lake, Nov. 13 – Following an operation to remove the pressure on the nerves of his eyes, Frederick Ellis Barker, 61, veteran court reporter, died yesterday at the family home, 145 Fourth avenue. He was also reporter for the Mormon church. He was born at Ogden and his father, Simon Barker, was one of the pioneers at Mound Fort, Ogden. The funeral is to be held from the Eighteenth ward chapel, Second avenue and A street, Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock.

Mr. Barker grew up on a farm, attending school in the winter. He was a student in high school for about five months. He studied shorthand at home with his brother, principally without a teacher, and in about five years became a reporter. One of his earliest pieces of public reporting was the celebrated discussion between Ben E. Rich and the Rev. Dr. Hartley, which was published in pamphlet form.

He was active in Mormon church work, acting for eight years as the first secretary to the Mound Fort Y.M.M.I.A. He was called on a mission in 1885 to work in the Logan temple. After his release he came to Salt Lake to work for President Heber J. Grant. He studied law and became a practicing attorney, continuing the same alternately with terms as court reporter until a few years before his death. He acted as one of the reporters of 49 general conferences, including that of last October, though the failing of his sight made his last work extremely difficult.

Mr. Barker was one of the presidents of the 113^th and then of the 124^th quorum of seventy. In 1898 he went on a mission to Australia and was president of the mission for three years. He returned by way of India, Palestine and Europe. He was a member of the Round the World club.

Since December, 1920, he had worked in the Salt Lake temple.

He lived an entirely exemplary life, both as a man and citizen. He sent one son on a mission and afforded a college education for all his children except one, who married after completing high school. One son served in the world war.

He is survived by his widow, Cecilia Sharp Barker, and by the following children: Fred G. Barker, Lucile Barker, Mrs. Gladys B. Westwood, Alma Sharp Barker, Joseph Ira Barker and Clarence S. Barker, and four grandchildren, all of Salt Lake, and by two sisters, Mrs. Clarissa B. Barlow and Mrs. Evaline B. James of Ogden.

(Spelling and punctuation as it appears in the obituary.)

Transcribed by Ruth H. Barker, submitted 2010.