Goodrich, Joseph (1834-1914)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by J.C.

On December 19th last Joseph Goodrich passed away quietly. Born at Epworth, Lincolnshire, in 1834, at the age of twenty he removed to Sheffield, and began his sixty years’ membership of Bethel Church, Cambridge Street. An ardent Band of Hope worker, he was its superintendent for many years. He was a representative on the Sheffield Sunday School Union Band of Hope Committee, and also a class leader and, local preacher. He was delegate both to the District Synod and to the Edinburgh Conference.

He loved his home and family dearly, and his last days were comforted by the kindness of his children, who are now doing service in the Church of Christ. He ever talked of his Church, and its memory filled him with much joy and inspiration during his last days. The funeral service in the General Cemetery was conducted by Rev. John Clennell, who also preached a memorial sermon.

Family

Joseph was born in 1834 at Epworth, Lincolnshire, to parents Thomas and Mary. He was baptised on 27 August 1834 at Epworth.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Joseph.

1851 tailor’s apprentice
1861 tailor
1871 tailor & draper, employing 1 man
1881 tailor
1891 tailor
1901 tailor
1911 retired tailor

He married Hannah Morton (abt1840-1908) in the spring of 1862 in the Ecclesall Bierlow Registration District, Yorkshire. Census returns identify six of nine children.

William Henry Morton (1863-1936) – a master pork butcher (1911)
Ernest Lincoln (1867-1920) – a cutlery manufacturer (1911)
James Morton (1868-1952) – a colliery commercial manager (1911)
Joseph Smith (1871-1953) – general grocer (1901)
Gertrude (1874-1931) – a confectioner (1911)
Clara Hannah (1876-1957) – married John James Baker Pickwell, a grocer (1901), in 1889

Joseph died on 19 December 1914 at Sheffield, Yorkshire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1915/415

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers