Iowa
Old Press
Des Moines Plain Talk
Des Moines, Polk co. Iowa
March 30, 1898
CHARLES GOOD.
There was called to his final rest on last Sunday evening one of
our oldest settlers, and one who in his almost a half century's
residence has done much good in his eccentric way. He was one of
our pioneer bakers, and was located near Second and Market. He
afterward kept a drug store near the same spot, which had quite a
large hall above it, where religious services were held.
Sometimes he preached or held prayer services there.
His accumulation of property was quite wonderful, considering his
small beginning. He seemed to know a good piece of property when
he saw it, and having once bought it, it was held with a firm
grip. His
peculiarities were noted by our people. He was a very frugal
liver, and although possessed of ample means he made no display
of it in dress or equipage. If he had a journey to make of a mile
or so, he walked. If there was a piece of twille or any waste of
which he thought he could make use, he picked it up and took it
with him. He was a very liberal man in some ways. He gave to
religious causes. He was good to the poor, and so far as known
there is no record of his turning a hungry person from his door.
In all his saving and skimping he never forgot his religious
duties in church. feeding the poor of his own church.
He was one of the most patient men in this city, and however
wrong things might go, he never expressed himself impatiently. He
was in religious belief "Brethren in Christ," or know
in earlier years as "River Brethren." Once a month he
held religious services at his house, on which occasions he fed
and lodged those who attended. It is evident that such a practice
was in vogue during the very early times, when people lived far
apart and were compelled to ask for hospitality when attending
religious services so far from home as to
take two or three days for the trip.
Mr. Charles Good was a very simple-minded man and accepted the
scriptures almost literally. He did not spend much money, but
when an expenditure was made it was generally for someone beside
himself. The scholars attending the Sunday school at the chapel,
corner Second and Grand, were supplied by his liberality with
some little Present each Sabbath. The smaller children generally
received a stick of candy after school was dismissed, and came
trooping into the street with the candy in their hands. The
attendance at the Sunday school services at the church is said to
be very regular and increasing. With all his eccentricities he
was as upright and honest a man as has ever lived in this city.
During the last few years, with his stooped figure and long white
beard, he presented a very venerable appearance. For the last
year or two he has felt that his life was slipping fast away, and
has been confined to his little cozy corner in his daughter's
home, where his every want has been supplied. He has lived a life
of great self-denial, and has done much good in the world. He has
always been a busy man and has laid down his burdens at the
advanced age of 90 years. He has passed to the rest he has so
much needed for years, as life had become a great burden to him.
Like the traveler on life's journey, he has walked calmly toward
the setting sun, without a fear of the darkness which comes after
its
disappearance beneath the summer sea. Peace to the old friend who
always had a cheery word and a smile for those whom he knew when
they were boys, beginning this untried world.
[transcribed by KLG, September 2005]