McGOVERN, Howard 1910-1914

MCGOVERN, GAFFEY

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 5/14/2015 at 19:06:39

The sad news came from Traer Friday announcing the death of Howard McGovern, the four year old son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. McGovern of Traer. The boy was taken sick with pneumonia Thursday morning and within twenty-four hours death claimed him. A physician saw him Thursday morning and he did not consider the boy's case serious. Early in the evening his condition took a rapid change for the worse and two additional doctors were called in who remained with him constantly and Dr. Gaffey was summoned from here during the night and he arrived less than an hour before the boys death.

Funeral services were held at Traer Monday morning. The remains were sent to Grundy Center for interment in the Catholic cemetery here. About forty Traer neighbors and friends of the family accompanied the remains here.

The many friends of Mr. and Mrs. McGovern in this city share with them in their bereavement.

--The Grundy Democrat (Grundy Center, Iowa), 26 March 1914, pg 1

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The community was shocked and saddened when the news was spread abroad that at six o'clock on Friday morning, March 20, 1914, little Howard McGovern had passed to his heavenly home.

Thursday morning when his mama went to dress him, he did not want to get up as he had always done in his sweet little life, but laid his little head back on the pillow.

A little later when he felt no better, medical help was summoned. His condition was not regarded serious until midnight when the attending physician became alarmed and held a consultation of home doctors. Dr. Gaffey of Grundy was also hastily summoned. The doctors diagnosed the case as lung fever and complications. Everything that medical skill and loving hands could do, was done, but was of no avail for God had called him.

For over four years he has brightened and made happy a home on earth. His loving disposition and bright little face won the hearts of all who knew him.

John Howard McGovern was born Jan. 31, 1910 at Traer, Iowa and died Mar. 20, 1914, aged 4 years, 1 month, 20 days. He leaves to mourn his loss, a loving father and mother and a little sister, Winona Ann, his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Gaffey besides a number of loving relatives and a host of dear friends, who will miss the smiling face everready to greet them. The funeral services were held at St. Pauls Catholic Church Monday morning at 8:30 a.m. where a solemn High Mass was celebrated with Rev. Father Broz of Clutier as Celebrant, Rev. Father Hogan of Grundy Center as Deacon and Rev. Father Sampson as Sub. Deacon and Master of Ceremonies Father Sampson gave a touching and consoling sermon.

Four little boys, Sylvester St. John, Allen Byrnes, Valney Pinkerton and Darwin Wood were honorary pallbearers and each gave a bouquet of flowers to their little playmate. The pallbearers were Stanley, Rev. Bosky, Carl Siewers, Ralph Kennedy and J. Cummings.

The many and beautiful floral tributes testified to the love in which little Howard was held by all who knew him.

After the service at the church the remains were taken to Grundy Center, accompanied by the relatives and friends and laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery.

It is idle we know to attempt to assunge a loving parents grief with mere expressions of human sympathy. Only those who have suffered the same bitter experience can fathom the depths of the father's and mother's loss. And yet while the loss is cruel and crushing, we must not forget that he has but exchanged the joy and comfort for an earthly home for the company and association of angels.

The comforting assurance that the little innocent soul has united his voice with the chorus of the Blessed and in the fullness of beatific joy, will sing forever the praises of God, should comfort the parents breaking hearts more than any other reflection.

Out of town relatives and friends were Mr. John Gaffey, of Elma; Dr. and Mrs. J. W. Gaffey, of Grundy Center; Miss Ida Gaffey, of Charitan; Mrs. J. Humphrey and son Thos. McGovern, of Cascade; Mr. Will McGovern, of Jesup; Miss Susie Pfiffner of Wesley. Dr. I. H. Gaffey, not receiving the message sent him, arrived too late for the funeral.

--The Grundy Democrat (Grundy Center, Iowa), 2 April 1914, pg 8