Caroline Amelia Gough - Kephart

WALSH - GOUGH - PRINGLE

Posted By: Deborah (email)
Date: 10/7/2004 at 12:40:58

newspaper clipping source not identified

DEATH OF MRS. KEPHART AT HAMPTON REMOVES EARLY PIONEER WOMAN

The illness and passing of Mrs. C. A. Kephart, who departed this life on the morning of April 8th, at her late home at Hampton, Ia., where she resided the past twelve years, has been an occasion for sorrow on the part of family and friends.

Her love for humankind returned to her in warm personal affection and she enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all with whom she came in contact in business and social life.

She was a child of a parsonage home. A life long Christian. A faithful devotee of the Methodist Episcopal Church since childhood.

Caroline Amelia Gough, daughter of the late Rev. and Mrs. William Gough, pioneer in the work of proclaiming the gospel in the early fifties of the 18th century, in what is now Upper Iowa conference, was born near Anamosa, Ia, October 5, 1853. The oldest of a family of eight, and when but an infant she came with her parents to Janesville, then to Clarksville, where she grew to maturity. In 1879 the family moved to the Bristow community, where on July 2nd she was united to J. W. Kephart of Bristow community. Their first home they established at Butler Center, then the county seat of Butler County. She had been faithful and efficient in the old home, assuming the care of the brothers and sisters at intervals in the absence of her parents, and was well fitted to preside over the home for her husband. With the exception of five years lived in Minnesota, Iowa has been their home.

Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kephart, four sons and one daughter. One son, Essington Taylor, died in infancy, leaving the following to mourn her departure: Mrs. R. H. Stewart , Bristow; Henry B. and William T. of Mason City; and Jacob of Hampton. The husband and father preceded her in death, January 20th, at Dumont, Iowa. Seventeen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren also survive. Two of the grandchildren, Delos Kephart and Opal [Mrs. Edward Reagan], Hampton, have been at home with Mrs. Kephart since early childhood and have assisted in the responsibilities of the home more recently. Delos assuming charge during her recent illness and was faithful to the trust.

Two brothers, George of Clarksville and Rev. J. J. Gough of Bristow and Mrs. Elizabeth Corey, also of Bristow, also remain.

At the time her husband was called to the reward her pastor, the Rev. J. D. Green, said of her faith and courage, "She has, mid the hardships of life, stood her ground, and is fighting the good fight of faith as a loyal soldier of Jesus Christ. She has a courage undaunted and a love unsollied. We say of her, life's work well done, life's race well run, and now comes rest."

After weeks of debility due to infirmities of age, while loved ones lingered near, the baroque bearing her spirit to the promised land, glided peacefully over the silent river of death. We shall meet but we shall miss her.

Funeral was on Monday, April 10th, at 1 o'clock, from her late home and was concluded at the M. E. church, Hampton, where deceased held membership, and was by her request in charge of her pastor, the Rev. Henke, who spoke from the text, "All things work together for good to them that love God." Emulating the life and faith of deceased, favorite hymns were sung by a duet. The floral offerings by neighbors of Mrs. Kephart bore mute testimony of the esteem in which she was held, other offerings by the church, family and friends were very beautiful. Following the conclusion of the rites at the church the funeral cortege weeded its way to Oak Hill, Bristow, where committal services were held. A quartet, Mrs. A. N. Morford, Mrs. C. A. Waite, H. L. Searle and W. A. Richards sang by request, "The Home of the Soul". The body borne to its last resting place by six of her grandsons, reposed by the side of her late husband and other loved ones.

Home at last; life's journey over,
Done the waiting and the pain,
And our hearts for thee are aching,
Though our love to thee is gain.
Never more shall care or trouble,
Dim the brightness of thy brow,
And no more shall earthly sorrow,
Ever come to vex thee now.
Home at last and over yonder,
Just within the pearly gates,
Watching still for loved ones coming,
Now our sainted dear one waits.
When we too shall cross the river,
And on earth no longer roam,
May we reunited gather,
Safe at last in that bright home.

Those from a distance who came for the funeral of Mrs. Kephart and called at the Roy Merfeld home following the commitment were: Rev. E. T. Gough and wife, Mt. Vernon; Rev. J. J. Gough, Jr. and family, Rockford, Illinois; H. B. Kephart and wife and sons James and Henry and Mrs. R. E. Patton, Mason City; Glenn Kephart and wife, Rock Falls; Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hemmingson, DeWitt; Mr. and Mrs. George Gough and Harold Gough, Clarksville and Mrs. Mary Van Vlack, Allison.

Others who attended were: W. T. Kephart and wife, Mason City; Jake Kephart and family, Hampton; Delos Kephart and Edward Reagan and wife, Hampton; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Kephart, Sheffield; and Mr. and Mrs. Roy Staynor, Chapin; and Miss Rhoda Kephart, Meservey.

Written by an Iowa Reporter