Ida Jane Barson (1879 - 1949)
Ida Jane Barson Biography
Vital facts & highlights of Ida's life to share with the world.
Ethnicity & Lineage
Nationality & Locations Lived
Religion
Education
Professions
Personal Life & Organizations
Military Service
Average Age
Life Expectancy
View other bios of people named Ida Barson
Ida Jane Barson Family Tree
Ida's immediate relatives including parents, siblings, partnerships and children in the Barson family tree.
Ida's Family Photos
Pictures really do say a thousand words. Add photos of Ida during various points of her life.
Ida Barson Obituary
Show you care by clicking the heart and adding to Ida's obituary.
1879 - 1949 World Events
Refresh this page to see various historical events that occurred during Ida's lifetime
In 1879, in the year that Ida Jane Barson was born, on November 10th, Bell Telephone and Western Union reached an agreement. Bell Telephone would keep out of the telegraphy business and Western Union would stay out of the telephone business - leading to success for both.
In 1894, Ida was only 15 years old when large reserves of oil were discovered on the Osage Indian reservation in Oklahoma. Previously thought to be "useless" land - not even good for farming - the tribe had bought the land themselves. The discovery of oil made the Osage the "richest group of people in the world" at the time.
In 1905, at the age of 26 years old, Ida was alive when the Industrial Workers of the World was founded. An international labor union founded in Chicago, it was most often referred to as the "Wobblies" and had ties to the socialist movement and the anarchist movement. At its peak, it had 150,000 members.
In 1938, at the age of 59 years old, Ida was alive when on October 30th, a Sunday, The Mercury Theatre on the Air broadcast Orson Welles' special Halloween show The War of the World's. A clever take on H.G. Wells' novel, the show began with simulated "breaking news" of an invasion by Martians. Because of the realistic nature of the "news," there was a public outcry the next day, calling for regulation by the FCC. Although the current story is that many were fooled and panicked, in reality very few people were fooled. But the show made Orson Welles' career.
In 1949, in the year of Ida Jane Barson's passing, comedian Milton Berle hosted the first telethon show. It raised $1,100,000 for cancer research and lasted 16 hours. The next day, newspapers, in writing about the event, first used the word "telethon."
Other Ida Barsons
Other Barsons
Other Bios
These stories will warm your heart and inspire you to share your memories of the people important to you.