Surname : Gathers
Given name : Harrison
ID # : Not sure if related.
Current date : 29 September 1988
Location of Source : Patrick J. Henry
Date of record : Unknown
Source : newspaper clipping (obituary)
Harrison Gathers
(Mrs. Robert Curll)
After almost eighty-five years of life with all its changing scenes, its joys and its sorrows, its victories and defeats, Harrison Gathers of Limestone township, arrived at the time when he laid down his life last Wednesday night, January 28th, 1931, and his spirit, at peace with man and God, returned to the realms of glory which "eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him."
The announcement of his death was shocking in its effect on the community for he was sick but a short time. He was one of the best known of Clarion county’s old people and had always been loved and cherished as friend and neighbor of rarest good qualities of mind and heart. He was looked upon by all who knew him as one of the best posted and most successful agriculturalists in the county. It was always a pleasure to talk with him. He was well read and talked fluently on almost any topic of the day. His life was an interesting one. He passed through many things - The Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and lastly the great World War. This last war his son Ross, saw nearly two years of service. He read and kept himself posted on all the great events. His mind was clear almost to the last.
Mr. Gathers was born Feb. 24th, 1846, in Porter township, on what is now known as the Homer Gathers farm, the son of George and Mary (Kifer) Gathers. At this place he grew to manhood. He was educated for a teacher, having taught twelve terms in Porter and Red Bank townships. On February 10th, 1876, he was united in marriage to Mary Bowersox, of Red Bank township. After their marriage they lived on a farm adjoining the one where he died, almost two years, when he bot and moved on the one where he died, living there the remainder of this life. He was a public spirited citizen and was always interested in the welfare of his community in which he lived. He served the people of Limestone township most faithfully in a number of township offices. Long ago he made peace with God and expressed his faith in Jesus as his personal Savior. He was a member of the Presbyterian church for years. He came from a family of eleven children of which two brothers and two sisters survive, namely, Mrs. Howard Willis and William Gathers, of Porter township; Mrs. Mary Carter, of Texas, and Levi of Calif. His wife preceded him in death thirteen years ago; also one daughter who died in infancy. He leaves four children, namely, Mrs. Lillian Ashcroft and Ross of Pasadena, Calif.; Mrs. Esther Curll of Reidsburg, and Charles at the old home; and three grandchildren, one granddaughter, Laura Curll, who died 3 years ago, are left to mourn the loss of a father who had reared his own monument while he lived in the trusted by all who knew him.
Funeral services were held in the church at Frogtown on Friday afternoon, when a large concourse of people gathered to pay their last tribute of respect to him. The services were conducted by his pastor, Rev. R. E. Keirn. At the close of the services interment under the direction of Chas. W. White of New Bethlehem, was made in the family plot in the adjoining cemetery.
The family and all near and dear to Harrison Gathers take this means to extend their heartfelt thanks to the many friends and neighbors who so kindly assisted during his illness and at his death; also to Rev. Keirn for his kindly visits and helpful service at the funeral, and the choir for their kindly service.