Isaac Westfall GARD

GARD, HARKNESS, BUCK, TALLEY, FRESHWATER

Posted By: Sharon R. Becker (email)
Date: 11/21/2008 at 20:12:39

Mount Ayr Record-News, 1933

OBITUARY - I. W. GARD.

Isaac Westfall GARD, son of Joseph W. and Catharine GARD, was born near Riverside, Washington county, Iowa, April 24, 1855, and died at his home in Mount Ayr, Iowa, April 3, 1933, at the age of 77 years, 11 months and nine days.

When he was one year of age, in May, 1856, the family moved to Ringgold county and settled on a farm in Lincoln township, where he grew to manhood. On November 22, 1861, his father died, leaving the mother and six sons, the oldest of whom was 12 years of age, to face the problems and endure the trials and hardships of pioneer life. With admirable courage the mother met the responsibilities, her greatest concern being to instruct the sons in righteousness and to provide for them the best educational advantages obtainable. Mr. GARD attended the rural schools, obtained a good common school education and mastered the higher branches under such competent teachers as Prof. HARKNESS and William J. BUCK. In the year 1871, when he was 16 years of age, he began his career as a school teacher, his first term of school being in the vicinity of Old Marshalltown, Ringgold county. There are yet living in Ringgold county a number of persons who received their early schooling in rural schools taught by Mr. GARD. For more than fifty years he followed the teaching profession and served as superintendent of a number of consolidated schools in various parts of Iowa.

In boyhood he attended Sunday school at Bethel church, walking every Sunday four and one-half miles to attend the school conducted by "Uncle Isaac" TALLEY. He was an earnest student of the Bible and the teachings received in childhood, strengthened through study of the Word, was a source of comfort and assurance, remaining with him until the end, which came peacefully after months of illness.

He was a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge for 46 years, holding membership in Mount Ayr Lodge No. 169.

On October 18, 1886, Mr. GARD was united in marriage with Miss Alice M. FRESHWATER who survives him. To this union was born one daughter, Ellen Catharine (sic), who died at the age of twenty. His five brothers preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon at 3:30 o'clock at the Rhoades Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, being conducted by Rev. Dennis DILLE of Benton, assisted by Rev. E. S. MENOHER, pastor of the Mount Ayr Methodist church.

NOTE: Isaac Westfall GARD was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Iowa. Ellen Katharine GARD, daughter of Alice and Isaac, was born July 14, 1889, and died on July 31, 1908, with interment at Rose Hill Cemetery.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. BECKER, 2008