It is tragic that the delightful home was enjoyed by the family for only five years. Mrs. Barker died on May 24, 1910, and on December 3 of that same year Mr. Barker died of pneumonia. The daughter, Catherine, was left an orphan at the age of 14, and thus became one of the world's most wealthy young heiresses. After her parents death she attended preparatory school and a finished school in New York; the Michigan City residence was maintained as her home, although occupied only intermittently after her marriage to Charles V. Hickox in 1930. In 1948 the homestead was given to Purdue University for a study center; in 1968, the ownership reverted to the Barker Welfare Foundation, of which Catherine Barker Hickox was president. The Barker Welfare Foundation subsequently presented the residence to the city.

In many ways Catherine Barker Hickox emulated her father whose contributions to charity during his lifetime amounted to well over a million dollars. The following "bear the permanent impress of his generosity:"

• Barker Hall (originally built in 1886; later reconstruction in 1929 donated by daughter, Catherine) erected as a memorial to his three children who died in early childhood.
• Trinity Cathedral (1889) to which he contributed the greatest share of the cost, now known as Trinity Episcopal Church.
• The Michigan City Public Library (1895) to which he contributed 33-1/3 of the cost.
• St. Anthony's Hospital (1904); the cost of building and equipment being $80,000, "a very goodly part of which was contributed in the name of Mrs. John H. Barker."
• The band stand, peristyle, and first conservatory in Washington Park.
• The Ames Band (1904) to which he gave an annual endowment. This later became our municipal band.
• The Y.M.C.A. (1910); for which he contributed one half of the projected cost of $100,000.
• The "History of Michigan City" written by Oglesbee and Hale in 1908. This is one of the best sources of Michigan City history, and we are indebted to Mr. Barker for his interest and liberal financial aid to the authors.