William Clark Gough

WALSH - GOUGH - PRINGLE

Posted By: Deborah (email)
Date: 10/7/2004 at 12:31:32

Iowa Recorder, The (Greene, Iowa) > 1929 > May > 1

W.C. GOUGH RITES AT CLARKFIELD, MINN., APRIL 20.

Funeral rites for William Clark Gough, formerly of Bristow, were held at Clarkfield, Minnesota, April 20, 1929. Mr. Gough has many relatives in this vicinity who regret his passing and are sympathizing deeply in their bereavement. From the Clarkfield Advocate we publish the following obituary:

William Clark Gough was born at Clarksville, Iowa, July 31, 1855, and passed to his reward April 16, 1929, at Clarkfield, Minn., at the age of 73 years, 8 months and 15 days.

He was one of a family of 8 children, the son of Rev. and Mrs. William Gough; his father was a pioneer Methodist minister in early fifies, his circuit reaching 100 miles, from Waterloo to Mason City, Iowa. The foundation for a christian character and christian living was begun in his boyhood home, which was in and near Clarksville, Iowa, until 1860 when the family moved to a farm near Bristow, Iowa, which community was his home for 35 years.

It was here that he wooed and won Miss Ida Betzer as his bride.

March 31, 1880, they were united in marriage at Bristow, and lived, loved and labored together for more than 46 years when the beloved wife and mother went to be forever with the Lord.

Three children blessed this union, Earl, Clarkfield, with whom he was at home since the death of his wife, May 29, 1926; Harry B. superintendent of the Alexandria schools, and Blanche, Mrs. Ernest Squire of Hanley Falls.

He was identified with the M.E. church in childhood, but later in life felt the need of Christ as a personal Savior, and under the preaching of G.A. McLaughlin, in 1902, yielded himself wholly to Christ and ever after was a living witness to His saving and cleansing power.

"The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord," and although earthly calamity seemed to befall him and his good wife later in life; each meeting a tragic end, yet, "The anchor that keeps the soul, steadfast and sure while the billows roll," was theirs and a vision of the cross; with Jesus coming for him, was one of his parting messages to his loved ones.

The desire of his hear was -- O, Lord, My God, Do Thou Thy Holy Will, I will lie still, I will not stir, lest I forsake thine arm and break the charm which lulls me clinging to, My Father's breast, in perfect rest.

Mr. Gough is survived by his sons, Earl, Clarkfield, Harry, Alexandria, and Mrs. Blanche Squire, Hanley Falls, Minn. Four grandchildren, Bradley and Robert Gough of Clarkfield, Phyllis and Harrison, Alexandria. Two brothers, George W., Clarksville, Rev. J.J. of Bristow; Two sisters, Mrs. C.C. Kephart, Hampton, and Mrs. B.H. Corey, Bristow, all of Iowa, also survive.

Funeral services, in charge of Rev. Geo. Hagaans, pastor of the Methodist Espiscopal church, of Hector, Minn., were held on Friday. A brief service, beginning at one thirty at the home of Mrs. and Mrs. Earl Gough, was continued at the Norwegian Lutheran church at two o'clock.

Miss Grace Sorensen, soloist, with Mrs. Amdahl at the oragn, sang, "The Old Rugged Cross," and "When I've Gone the Last Mile of the Way."

Rev. E.T. Gough, D.D., pastor of First M.E. church, Charles City, and nephew of deceased, read the scripture lesson and offered prayer. Rev. Hagaans delivered the sermon basing his remarks on Acts. 11-24 --"For he was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost, and faith, and much people was added unto the Lord." His message was fraught with surety and hope, answering the age old question, "If a man die shall he live again?" A profusion of flowers evidenced the love and esteem of family and friends. The services were concluded at the Clarkfield cemetery and the body reposes by the side of his wife in the family plot.

Personnel of relatives and friends from a distance present at the funeral; H.B. Gough and family, Alexandreia; H.B. Gough and family, Alexandria, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Squire, Hanley Falls, Rev. J.J. Gough and wife and Mrs. B.H. Corey, Bristow, Iowa, Rev. E.T. Gough and son Vincent, Charles City, Iowa, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stewar, Granite Falls, Minnesota.

Mrs. Lattie Fall, Rev. and Mrs. Mark Jensen, Lac qui Parle, Minn., Mr. and Mrs. A.G. Dahl, Mr. and Mrs. S. Sorensen and Miss Grace Corensen, Mrs. and Miss Donaldson, Dawson, Minn., Mr. and Mrs. Moses, Echo, Minn., Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Hanson and Mrs. Hocket, Granite Falls, Mr. and Mrs. Sam C. Nelson, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Stevens, Mr. F.J. Herda and Miss Mabel Johnson of Alexandria.