DERROUGH, Gordon (1817-1887)

DERROUGH

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 3/31/2018 at 10:30:40

Gordon Derrough
(November 1, 1817 – June 5, 1887)

Indianola Herald, Indianola, Iowa, Thurs., June 9, 1887, p.2, col.5
Mr. Gordon Derrough
Gordon Derrough, who died on last Sabbath at his home in Otter Township, was born Nov 1st, 1817, in Adams County, Ohio, where he lived until he was about 15 years of age, when the family removed to Brown County, Ohio, and settled on Cherry Fork, of Brush Creek, where he worked with his father in the milling business until about the time of his marriage to Miss Nancy Dixon, which event occurred July 4th, 1836, after which he followed farming during the remainder of his stay in the state of his birth. In 1856, he with his wife and seven children immigrated to Iowa, and first settled near Palymra in Warren County; remaining there but one year, he removed to Belmont Township, on the farm now owned by A. H. Surbaugh. Here he lived until 1867, when he removed and settled permanently upon the farm in Otter Township, where he lived nearly all the time until the day of his death. He was the father of nine children, two being born after coming to Iowa. His wife died Nov 21st, 1882. A short time before her death, he removed to the village of Milo for the purpose of resting the remainder of his life, but death soon separated them, and Mr. Derrough, like many others, was never the same happy, contented man he had been before. His youngest son, George, was on the old farm, to which he returned and spent the balance of his days. The cause of his death was paralysis, and we understand he was unable to speak for some two weeks prior to the end; when it came it was peaceful, as he passed away as in a sleep. His children were all with him, there being eight living. Mr. R. D. Bloom, a brother-in-law, who had been a fast friend for 45 years, remained by his side until the last. It was the severing of a cord that had bound these old friends together for nearly half a century, and certainly to Mr. Bloom many memories came crowding to his mind of younger days, of boyhood times spent together; but the time of separation comes to all. The senior member of the Herald was intimately acquainted with Mr. Derrough, and we believe his long-time friends will agree that we do not over estimate the man when we say that he was one of the few men who, as a husband, a father, a neighbor, a friend, a citizen, can be said to represent the better side of humanity; kind-hearted, generous man, unassuming and honest, serving contentedly in a sphere to which nature had assigned him, without reaching to heights beyond his ability. He died having a host of friends who can join in saying he was a good man. To his children, he left a goodly heritage, that of a good name, a far better and grander fortune than wealth. They can remember him, not as a worshipper of the dollar and a penurious wealth builder, but to them a great hearted father who they can always call to remembrance with a feeling of pleasure and pride.