Miranda M. Streeter Goff 1832-1903

GOFF, STREETER, RHODES, GODFREY

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 10/3/2010 at 01:05:44

Death of a Pioneer
Mrs. J. D. Goff Passes Away at the Home of Her Daughter in This City
Mrs. Miranda M. Goff, wife of John D. Goff, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Cora Rhodes, who resides on east Lincoln street, at 1:20 o’clock Sunday [January 11, 1903] morning. Mrs. Goff had been feeling ill for about two months prior to her death but only last Friday was she confined to her bed with a severe attack of dropsy of the heart, which eventually caused her peaceful yet sudden death.

The funeral was held at the home yesterday morning at 10 o’clock. Rev. W. Edward McLeod officiated and preached a very appropriate sermon. The house was beautifully decorated with roses and carnations. Magnificent floral tributes from old settlers, Ramona Club, Presbyterian ladies, Presbyterian Sunday school and others were appreciated by the family. After a very appropriate ceremony the remains were laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Mrs. J. D. Goff was born in Litchfield, Mass., June 10, 1832. She was married at the age of eighteen to the companion of her life, John D. Goff, who survives. After eight years of wedded life in the east, Mr. and Mrs. Goff came west to Freeport, Ill., where they lived until 1861, when they moved to Emmet county. Having come here the year previous they were in Estherville during the great Indian massacre of 1862 and among those to seek protection in the Fort erected south of the court house square by the Northern Iowa Brigade when the excitement was at its height.

The first few years in Emmet county were spent on a farm north of Estherville, now owned by David Fitzgerald and homesteaded by Mr. and Mrs. Goff. In 1870 the family moved to Estherville where they have since resided. John Goff began the trade he had learned in the east, that of contacting, and assisted and supervised the building of some of the old land marks of Emmet county.

In the early nineties Mr. and Mrs. Goff were forced to give up housekeeping due to the exceptional feebleness of both parties, and live with their children, and the majority of the time residing with their daughter, Mrs. Cora Rhodes, who has tenderly cared for both in their years of sickness.

The wedded life of this loving couple has extended over a period of about fifty-three years, filled with perfect happiness. As a tribute to the venerable qualities of Mrs. Goff nothing could be finer than a reference to the affectionate manner in which she had cared for the bodily afflictions of her loved husband up to the time of her death, he being an invalid with rheumatism for the last fifteen years. She was a tender help-mate, a kind and loving friend, entirely from malice and affectionate to all. As the oldest member of the local Presbyterian church and a faithful Christian she worked energetically while able toward the spreading of love and fellowship with Christ, and went to her reward conscious of having done her part toward the purifying and elevating of all with whom she came in contact, and to rest in the arms of her Savior. Peace to her soul.

Her husband, J. D. Goff, and children, Mrs. F. L. Godfrey, of Denver, Col., Mrs. D. G. Chambers, of Barron, Wis., and Ed. E. Goff, of Hayward, Wis., and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren are left to mourn the loss of this true-hearted wife, mother and grandparent. Mrs. Goff’s beloved sister, Mrs. Frank Allen, of Sioux City, was here to attend the funeral.

The Democrat joins in the heartfelt sympathy extended by all. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, January 14, 1903)