The Waterloo Republican, 2/15/1900:

BARKER
Lewis Barker one of the oldest settlers, died at his residence near Burksville last 
Thursday, Feb. 8, 1900, aged 82 years.

Mr. Barker was one of the pioneers.  He came to Monroe when this country was 
a wilderness, and saw it grow and develop. The family was a large one, They were 
prominent among the pioneers, and wielded a good influence in the early days.Asa 
Barker, a brother of the deceased, offered to donate a tract of land for a court house 
site about a mile west of Burksville when Waterloo was hardly considered as a 
contestant for this honor.  The offer was not accepted, and soon after Waterloo took 
on a rapid growth, and secured the site.

Another brother was in partnership with Mr. Durfee and they had a good country store 
which still exists in Burksville.  It was occupied at a later date by Judge Brey when he 
was in the mercantile business in Burksville and now used for a saloon by Anton Langsdorf.  
The old building was of logs, but later was covered with weatherboards.

Mr. Barker was one of the prominent members of the old church at New Design, and enjoyed 
the distinction of hauling the first log to the meting house with an ox team.

He was married three times.  His first wife was Miss Tolin.  After her death he married to Mrs. 
Hilton and Mrs. Clark later.

Of the children three survive.  They are Monroe, George and Mrs.
Griffin.  Mary was buried some time since.

He was buried in the New Design cemetery.