Goodfellow, H. Minnie 1845-1934

GOODFELLOW, DAVIS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 6/19/2011 at 09:28:26

The Grinnell (IA) Herald;June 19, 1934

MRS. JOHN GOODFELLOW IS DEAD

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Her Passing Ends a Happy Married Life Which Had Continued Sixty Two Years

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FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD WEDNESDAY, AT 3:00

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Mr. and Mrs. Goodfellow Have Spent Many Helpful And Happy Years in Grinnell

(By W.G.Ray)

Miss H. Minnie Davis was born in Chenango county, New York, December 23, 1845. She was married to John Goodfellow Dec. 18, 1872 and died Monday morning June 18 at the Community hospital.

Sixty-two years is a long time for a couple to live together after marriage. But when they have lived so long a life and the loves of their early youth have never dimmed, but have grown stronger and deeper as the years have gone by, it surely is more remarkable.

John Goodfellow and Minnie Davis were married in Sheridan township Dec. 18, 1872. The bride was a sister of H.I. Davis and for a good many years Mr. Davis and Mr. Goodfellow were closest neighbors. Mr. Davis moved to Grinnell about 1884 and Mr. Goodfellow came to Grinnell in 1891.

During all the years of their life in Grinnell the neighbors knew they were deeply in love with each other, and that love has never weakened. Up to the very last Mrs. Goodfellow was almost a guiding star to the man she had married and up to the end he was her devoted slave and helper. Only neighbors who knew could understand their affection for each other.

But they were not only helpful to each other, they were helpful to others and the kindness of heart which characterized Mrs. Goodfellow showed itself in many helpful and delightful ways. She loved to help others. She loved to be interested in what they were interested in and so showed her affection and regard for all by her devotion and sympathy. She was a neighbor in all things, loyal to her friends and generous to everyone. She was an honored member of the Drummond club of this city and all who knew her rejoiced in her acquaintance and appreciated fully her tenderness of heart and kindness of action.

During her entire life here she was a member of the Congregational church and she lived in full measure to the spirit of fraternity which should and does characterize a real Christian.

There have been other women who have made an impress upon friends, but none have lived here who have been more generous in heart nor more helpful than Mrs. Goodfellow. As I said before to her husband she was a guiding star and to her he was always a ready helper, generous in his thought and attention.

It was perhaps fitting and beautiful that she should end her days at the Community hospital to which she and her husband had given so much financially when they were better able to contribute than in these later days.

When the Goodfellows first moved to Grinnell he was a member of the board of supervisors and they bought the home on which the Community hospital now stands and here they lived until they purchased the home at the corner of Fourth and High where they have lived in recent years.

Mrs. Goodfellow was one of the friendliest of neighbors and most unconventional in her friendliness. She was always the first to discover and welcome the new arrivals in her neighborhood and many a one can testify to her early, friendly calls upon them. Perhaps before their furniture was unpacked, she was there with a flower or some delicacy from her home or garden, also it is said she was the last to forget a neighbor, whom she had welcomed, when they were in sorrow or in need.

Her love of flowers was outstanding and she flitted about the neighborhood with flowers in her hand showering them upon all alike, but especially upon the little ones. Who will welcome the new ones and carry the words of cheer with the flowers, now that she is gone?

The funeral will be held at the home Wednesday afternoon at three o'clock conducted by her pastor, Rev. Robert Inglis. Interment will be in the family lot in Hazelwood where her loved granddaughter lies sleeping.