GODWIN OBITUARIES, Henry County, Missouri ==================================================================== GODWIN, William M. 1860 - 1934 Clinton MO, Oct 1934 - Death of W. M. Godwin - An Outstanding Citizen - His Kindly Guidance Had Helped Many - A founder of the Clinton Y.M.C.A. and a Staunch Advocate of Prohibition - The life work of W. M. Godwin was brought to a close at 11:25 Thursday night, October 25, at his home on South Third Street. He had been ill since October 12 with a serious stomach trouble. When he first became ill, his two sons were called home, but after their arrival he rallied, bolstering up their hopes until the last day. He had suffered from this stomach trouble many years and five years ago had a very serious attack. Mr. Godwin was one of the outstanding citizens of Clinton, always standing for what he thought was right, regardless of how it affected him or his business personally. He was the friend of children and for many years was the juvenile truant officer, giving the children gentle and wise counsel and getting underprivileged children back into school or into home where they could be cared for properly. In this work, Mr. Godwin and his wife worked hand in hand and their home was often a haven for little ones in times of distress. For many years he was in charge of the charity work of Henry county, the greater share of the service being given without compensation. He had been engaged in welfare work since 1887, and organized and for years headed the Associated Charities of Clinton. Born in Cooper County, Mo., March 6, 1860, Mr. Godwin came to Henry county with his parents the late Wm. and Amelia Ann Moore Godwin when very young. He grew to manhood near Lucas seizing every opportunity for an education. He attended the University of Missouri and in 1884, 50 years ago, graduated with the degree that was then called Principal of Pedagogy. He was a natural teacher and combined with this the best training that Missouri had to offer at that time. As the days and years grew, Mr. Godwin was ever a seeker of Knowledge and not only received it but gave the things he knew to those with whom he associated. He was a teacher for many years, a part of the time in Clinton's historic Lampkin Academy where Miss Jean Audrey Blakemore also taught and who became his wife June 27, 1889. Soon after he left college, Mr. Godwin came to Clinton and was employed as reporter on the Democrat for some time. During that time he was correspondent for the New York World and other newspapers. He wrote with a brilliancy of style and human interest seldom found in such a young man. The rest of his life he retained his interest in newspaper work. Perhaps the service that he enjoyed most was rehabilitation work with injured soldiers in St. Louis following the World war. He planned occupation for which the soldiers would be best adapted for life occupations, following the great sacrifice they had made for their country. He had a sympathetic understanding of their problems and in traveling over the state today, one meets many men who owe their bright outlook on life to the kindly guidance of Mr. Godwin at this critical period of their life. He served Henry county as fuel administrator during the war, also was one of Henry county's "Four-Minute Men", who spoke in behalf of the sale of Liberty loans and in the Red Cross campaigns. Mr. Godwin also served as the county school commissioner from 1887 to 1889 and was secretary of the state school book commission under Governor Francis. Ever interested in youth, he was one of the founders of the Clinton Young Men's Christian association and served as one of its directors during its operation. He led a group of young men of the organization, who termed themselves the Inner Circle, in the study of the Bible and prayer. Several from this group gave their lives as ministers of the gospel and others have become prominent lawyers, doctors and entered other professions. In early youth, Mr. Godwin was converted. He came from a family of Methodists as his father helped establish the M. E. Church at Lucas, and in Clinton W. M. Godwin served many years on the board of deacons at M. E. Church, South, sponsored Epworth League, and was ready with hand and heart to do anything he could at all times. As a Bible teacher he excelled and during his entire residence in Clinton taught in the M. e. Church, South. At the time of his death, he was the Women's Bible class teacher on Sunday morning. He also taught in the South Side Sunday School in recent years. For a number of years, Mr. Godwin worked for the M. K. & T. railroad as immigration agent for the purpose of colonizing Texas. The past 40 years he was in the real estate and insurance business in Clinton, and during all that time he was a helpful counselor to his insurance customers, having himself a complete knowledge of the business and always ready to give his excellent advice for the customers best interests. He was a staunch advocate of prohibition and for a number of years led and spoke for the Prohibition party of this county and state. If he thought the cause to be right, he was unafraid to state publicly his stand on any question. His marriage to Miss Jean Audrey Blakemore resulted in a beautiful companionship for each which grew with the years. To their union were born three sons. One died in infancy and the other two, Blakemore Godwin, now director of the Toledo Museum of Art in Toledo, Ohio, and Jimmie Jean Godwin, who is an electrical engineer with the Westinghouse Company, at St. Louis, are left to comfort their mother. There is one grandchild, pretty little Jean Ruth Godwin, age 28 months, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie Jean Godwin. Of course, this little lady was the idol of her grandfather's heart. Mr. Godwin put first things first - the will of God and his righteousness, and wise and sympathetic counsel to his own family, and an unfailing generosity toward humanity. He and his wife guided their own sons into fine, worthwhile Christian lives. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon at the Franklin street M. E. church by Rev. P. O. Whittle of Kansas City, formerly pastor of the Clinton M. E. church, South. He was assisted by the present pastor, Rev. J. E. Alexander, who read the scripture and gave the prayer. Mrs. C. A. McKinley, Miss Faye Luallin, Elvin and Rev. J. F. Mitchell sang "God Will Take Care of You," and Miss Sarah Margaret Gilbert played the organ, including "Abide with Me," "Come Thou Fount," and "How Firm a Foundation." Burial was in Englewood, Wilkinson funeral service in charge. Active pallbearers were James A. Parks, Chas. A. Calvird, Jr., Dwight Sayles, John E. Smith, Richard Gates, Vance Julian. Honorary pallbearers were J. D. Carney, R. L. Covington, W. H. Dorman, H. P. Faris, W. f. Hall, Leroy Lobaugh, John Lorenz, E. N. McDowell, C. A. Mitchell, John Price, G. W. Schweer, Ben C. Simes, W. L. Pinkston and F. M. Walter. The South Side Sunday school where Mr. Godwin was a teacher many years went to the cemetery in a body after their regular services in the afternoon. At the graveside each member of the group dropped a white flower into the open grave, demonstrating their love and respect for their friend. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. 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