Melvina Gordon

DEATH OF MRS. WM. GORDON

In the death of Mrs. Wm Gordon there passed away one of the sturdy women of the early days whose life was touched with that courage and fortitude that was a characteristic of the early pioneers and that enabled them to endure its hard ships and trials and tribulations and to emerge from that period of life strong in the faith that led them on and that stands forth as a shining example of the best and noblest traits of womanhood.

She died at the tomb of her daughter, Mrs. A. S. Heath, at Hastings, on Thursday morning, the immediate cause of her death being heart failure. This ailment had affected her for some time and had been the cause of much apprehension. Two weeks ago she suffered to some extent and her sons were called to her bedside. But she rallied and up to the time of her death appeared to be usually well, so much so that she was enabled to perform her usual light work and to mingle with other members of the family. She was stricken suddenly and passed away in a few moments.

Mrs. Gordon was born at Girard, Pennsylvania, November 4th, 1836. She died on April 4th, 1918, and was 81 years and 5 months old. While still a young woman she came to Wisconsin, residing at Richland Center, where she met and married Mr. Wm. Gordon, the ceremony occurring on February 25th, 1858. The newly married couple continued to reside in Richland Center until 1865, when they came to Minnesota. They settled on a farm about two miles west of this place, which for many years was their home. In later life they disposed of the farm and resided in the village. Her husband passed away some years after they took up their residence in town. For the last few years she has resided with her son, J. Monroe Gordon and with her daughter, Mrs. Heath.

The deceased was the mother of nine children, six of whom survive her: Newton S. of Barron, Wis.; Mrs. A. S. Heath, of Hastings; James Milton, of Montevideo; Walton W., of Dallas, Texas; and J. Monroe and R. N., of Janesville. Clarence A. and Frank J. died in infancy, and Dora Nettie at the age of six years.

Mrs. Gordon was ever a devoted Christian woman. Her pure life and high ideals have left their impress for good to continue on through the coming years. Rearing her family amid the rugged scenes and experiences that were a part and parcel of early pioneer life, with its privations and hardships, interspersed, perhaps, with occasional gleams of sunshine, these traits of character were potent in molding the lives of her children and directing them in the pathway that finds its goal in the ideals she exemplified and expressed and that is the basis of all true success in life. Reflected in its truest sense, it is the essence of an ideal that embodies faultless manhood and womanhood.

The funeral was conducted Sunday afternoon at the Methodist church, Rev. W. J. Robinson officiating. The remains were laid to rest in the Janesville cemetery.

Relatives from out of town to attend the funeral were, Mr. and Mrs. J. Milton Gordon and daughter Arlene; Nelson S. Gordon and Walton W. Gordon.

The bereaved family have the sympathy of numerous friends in their affliction.

Janesville Argus 4-10-1918 - Contributed by S. R. Allen

• Updated from Find A Grave Memorial via son John Monroe Gordon by SmartCopy: Dec 13 2015, 4:44:55 UTC