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Obit For Martha (Gowan) (Arnold) Harbin
Headline Good Citizen and Mother Gone
Text Time has again stepped into our midst and carried off one of our best citizens, loved and respected by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance. Her good face made sunshine in a shady place. If strangers felt the charm of her courtesy and joyous, sunny temperament, how much more so the members of her own family, upon whom she lavished all the sweet earnestness and careful culture of her mind and nature. Strong and potent was the influence of this loving heart, which bestowed with good so generously. The spirit of her love was not weakness, but strength. Gently, almost unconsciously, it coerced those coming in contact with it, to strive for, if not to attain the realization of her high ideal.

Mrs. Martha (Gowan) Harbin died suddenly at the home of her grandson, C.S. Arnold, 4 3/4 miles out on the Washburn road, Friday night, Feb. 14, 1913, of acute indigestion and heart failure, aged 77 years, 7 months and 28 days.

She was born in Rutherford county, Tenn., Aug. 18, 1835, and was a daughter of the late Mr. A.P. and Mrs. Elizabeth Gowan, who came to Barry county, Oct. 10, 1856, and located near, Washburn, and in 1859, she and the late John B. Arnold were married and two children were born of this marriage, who are: J.A. Arnold, residing between Cassville and Exeter and Mrs. J.M. Mitchell of near Seligman. Mr. Arnold was killed near Washburn, Jan 16, 1863. In 1872, she and the late John G. Harbin of near Washburn, were married and he died in 1881.

She was a sister of B. A. Gowan of near Washburn, and the late Mr. Wm. Northcutt and Mrs. P.M. Frost.

Since that time, she has made her home a part of the time on her farm near the Vanzandt school house, with her son, daughter and grandson. She had no enemies that we ever heard of, but enjoyed the good will and was held in the highest esteem by everybody.

Rev. Wardell of the M. E. Church South, of which she had been a member for many years, conducted funeral services Sunday morning at the home of her grandson, after which the remains were laid to rest, in the Roller cemetery near Seligman, Sunday afternoon, Rev. Carter concluding the services at the grave.
Research Note: The book "Barry County Missouri Cemeteries" states that Martha Gowen Arnold Harbin is buried at Kings/Roller cemetery along with her second husband, John Harbin and his first wife, Nancy A.

Mrs. Martha (Gowan) Arnold Harbin 1835 - 1913
Newspaper or Funeral Home -
Date 1913
Death Cert Link -
Resource Scrapbook bought at the estate sale of Vivian Roller
Submitted by Ted Roller