One Branch

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The woman known as Margaret 'Bertha' Bachman Barton

"Welcome to One Branch the woman known as Margaret (Bertha) Bachman Barton my mother, a remarkable woman celebrating a century of life. This website is dedicated to preserving her rich history, family genealogy, and the countless stories that have shaped her journey. Join me as we explore the milestones, memories, and connections that have defined her legacy. It's a heartfelt endeavor to honor her life and share her wisdom with future generations."

~ Saturday ~

May 15, 1926

A typically pleasant day, mild weather conditions with blooming landscapes, the weather warm during the day and slowly growing cooler during the night, having a potential for thunderstorms.

She was the fifth child born to married couple Josephine Maryanna Novak a Polish immigrant

and Louis Bachman a German-American tradesman from Baltimore, Maryland.

Just a few months into her tiny life she won a Beautiful Baby Contest.

She then soon became the first of eight siblings to be baptized at age sixteen after reading a book her father received from a man that took the time to walk down a dusty dirt road in the middle of the afternoon, that had only a few homes on it, during one of the hottest days of the season. However, he was on a mission. A ministry mission and the title of that book: "CHILDREN published by the WATCHTOWER , J.F. Rutherford". This would be the FIRST of TWO treasures Louis gave to his wife Josephine. He told her it was a book for their children. Josephine, had never been introduced to Jehovah and was skeptical of this religious book. So, being the determined righteous woman she was, she made the decision to read the book to make sure it was ‘safe’ for her children to read. So she took to reading that book. Page by page, hour by hour. All through the night. And when she was finished reading that book she immediately exclaimed: “Louis! I FOUND THE TRUTH!”

And it was that simple but truth revealing book of accurate bible knowledge that Margaret read and learned about her heavenly father. After baptism, at the age of sixteen, she began sharing the good news with others in the ministry as Jesus commanded at Matthew 28:19-20

Margaret was later joined in the ministry by her sisters Dorothy, Marie and Anna.
She married Robert Barton Sr. on September 28,
They remained married until his death in October 1991.
During that marriage the couple welcomed four children. Into their family.
Of those children three are Baptized Jehovah’s Witnesses.
She was preceded in death by her parents; Louis and Josephine Bachman
By her husband Robert R. Barton Sr.
Her sisters: Katherine McLaughin, Dorothy Burkhead, Marie Vaughn and Anna Scanlon
Her brothers: Louis, Daniel and George.
Also by Her Son, Charles Barton Sr.
Her granddaughters: Kelly Hogan Cole and Salina Paul Cook.
Her grandson: Patrick Paul Jr.
Nephews: Daniel Bachman, Louis Bachman. Lee Fairbrother.
Three nieces: Leslie Griffin, Kathryn Moore and Dorothy Umsted.
She survived Five Generations.
She survived uterine cancer a heart attack, skin cancer and kidney failure. All without a blood transfusion.
She pioneered full time in the ministry for over twenty-five years!
And through those years shared the good news of Jehovah's Kingdom with thousands of people.

When not attending meetings with her congregation or enjoying the ministry with family and many,

many friends over the years, she enjoyed gardening. Going dancing with her husband, Sewing and caring for their pets and watching the ‘game show’ network. She kept her mind sharp by doing crossword puzzles and keeping up with her genealogy records. Keeping a record of all the important dates.

The Births. The Deaths. The Anniversaries and even school graduations.

All photographs were kept neatly in order for future generations.

This is how that genealogy record begins with Margaret.

The Beautiful Life Of Margaret (Bertha) Bachman Barton

She was raised in the small Maryland town of Severn. Early in life she loved spending time with family and friends playing music and singing. As time went on she learned to play the piano and the mandolin. To send home the point of how joyful these memories are of listening to their mother play this stringed instrument with such precision, Her oldest child suggested her granddaughter to be named Amanda Lynn. A name that has quite a nice ‘lilt’ to it, and shows true appreciation for the music that filled their childhood home.

Just before WWII, Margaret met and became engaged to Robert R. Barton. However, her parents would not allow them to marry until Robert or ‘Buckshot’ as he was referred to by his family and friends, returned home from the war. During this time Margaret spent time reading her bible, writing and receiving letters from her sweetheart. When he returned they were married at the Kingdom Hall. Although her husband Robert attended the Memorial of Christ' s Death annually, took the entire family to the week long conventions, usually held ‘out of state’ annually, and agreed with raising the children as Jehovah’s Witnesses, he was unable to reach the point of dedication and baptism prior to his death. However, Margaret was convinced that she would see her ‘sweetheart’ Bob in the promised new kingdom during the resurrection. As Bob would tell her, with his own conviction just prior to his death “soon you’ll see me as a young man again’.

From this marriage union were born four children. Shirley Ann, Charles William, Robert R. and Norma Jean. These children would be raised according to bible standards and eventually three of the four would also accept the invitation from Jehovah God to become a fellow worker. And as each of those children grew up and married there would be born nine grandchildren. Of those nine, two are currently dedicated and baptized witnesses of Jehovah God. Great Grandchildren, Great Great GrandChidren and Great Great Great Grandchildren.

Now, it was mentioned that Louis gave his wife TWO treasures. The first was the "CHILDREN" book, the second was a true buried treasure. You see, Margarets’ father also read that book. And he knew it was the truth. So, he stopped smoking. Stopped drinking at the bar too. What would he do with all that extra money? He saved it. A little each week in a glass mason jar. Inside a paint can that was set inside yet another container buried under a big cherry tree that gave him shade from the sun after a hard day's work. It must have tickled him to know he had hidden all that loose change right there where it would stay for many years. However, before Louis was able to surprise his wife Josie with a nice retirement nest egg he passed away. October 31, 1958. And it would be years before this tiny fortune would be found. But it was found by their son George and two sons in law: Harry Williams and Bob Barton while installing a fence on the property line. At first it was just a small rusty tool sticking up a few inches out of the ground. The men pulled it up and continued to dig so they could set the fence post properly. The shovel hit another object. Now this was beginning to get interesting. They dug a big hole, or at least bigger and deeper than they planned. And then they saw the ‘junk’ that was buried there. People in those days buried their trash, they didn’t have the luxury of trash pick up on a weekly basis. There they were these three men resting in the shade of that old cherry tree probably sipping on a beverage taking turns guessing about the jackpot of debris they found. Until they hear the ‘jingle’ of change clanging against that glass mason jar. They knew exactly what that sound was. That was money. It was a treasure. They found a hidden treasure. Before they went any further it was time for them to call ALL the family to join in their glee. Josephine, being about 60 years old, sat right down on the ground and flung her legs down in the deep hole with the widest smile and gleam in her eyes. And she began counting that change. Coins that had been there for years, back when coins were real silver, not layered with copper. Coins that were worth well more than face value. The next item on the agenda was to call a coin collector. That man came and counted it, the face value was about $361 dollars. The man told Josie he would have to take the coins back to his office and check each one for its current value and he convinced her to allow him to give her the face value until he would see her the next day, maybe two. Wow! You've probably guessed it, Not only did this 'coin collector' never return as promised, he also closed his business in Glen Burnie, Maryland, moved and left 'no forwarding address'. So is there a scripture we can read to get the full worth of these two treasures? Let us turn to Jesus’ words from the sermon on the mount.

Matthew 6:19-21

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Imagine being a part of this entire account of the two treasures. Feeling the weight of those words spoken by the Greatest Man that ever lived. Margaret could see the point. She was steadfast in her dedication and devotion to Jehovah God. The bible continued to lead her down the path of life. Which is why one of her favorite scriptures continued to keep her from feeling sorry for herself and kept her always looking forward to the next day of life, the next year of joys and sorrows, always praying for God’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. The words giving her that daily ray of hope written in

Proverbs chapter 31 and verse 25

“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future”.

And the song that she would sing and accompany herself with music in her heart for so many years was…

‘Keep Your Eyes on The Prize’

1.When the eyes of blind ones see again

And the ears of deaf ones hear again,

When the songs of children fill the air

And joy and peace are ev’rywhere,

When our loved ones will return to life,

To an earth that’s free from sin and strife,

(CHORUS)

You will see how God these things supplies,