Obituaries Australia

  • Tip: searches only the name field
  • Tip: use double quotes to search for a phrase
  • Tip: lists of awards, schools, organisations etc

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

James Gow (1836–1907)

Deep regret was expressed on the morning of 29th June, when it was announced that Mr James Gow, a highly respected and well-known business man of St. Marys, had been seized with a paralytic stroke. Dr Higgins was called in, but he held out no hopes, expressing the opinion that it was only a matter of a few days when his soul would depart to the great beyond. This proved to be the case, and he passed peacefully away at 3.20 a.m. on Saturday last. Deceased was only semi-conscious for 24 hours before his death. The late Mr Gow had always led an upright life, his word being his bond; and his familiar figure will be greatly missed in St. Marys. He had always enjoyed good health, and was about as usual the day prior to his seizure. Deceased was a great reader, being well versed in the general topics of the day; and a chat with him was indeed a treat.

Deceased was the sixth son of the late Mr William Passingham Terry Gow, who was a schoolmaster at Wilberforce; his mother was Miss Dunstan, a daughter of an old resident of Windsor district. The late Mr James Gow was born at Wilberforce. Later on the family came to reside at Richmond. There he married Miss Martha Crisford (who survives him, but has been in indifferent health for some time), second daughter of the late Mr John Crisford. In 1860 they came to the Penrith district: Mr and Mrs Gow resided at Regentville ten years; then came to Penrith, where they remained for five years; afterwards to Summer Hill, Sydney, for nine months; then to St. Marys, where deceased kept a store for ten years opposite Mr W. J. B. Neale's, and about 18½ years in the new shop erected by him next the Protestant Hall. Deceased has two brothers living—one is 64 years (Mr William Gow, of Woollahra), and the other 84 (Mr Stephen Gow, of Windsor); these are the only two living out of a family of eight sons and one daughter.

The funeral, on Sunday afternoon, was a large and representative one, deceased's remains being laid to rest in St. Mary Magdalene Cemetery, St. Marys. The cortage left the house at half-past three, the remains being interred in a velvet-covered coffin, with silver mountings. The coffin was first taken into the church, where a most impressive service was conducted by the Rev A. C. Corlette, late Rector of St. Mary Magdalene, St. Marys, but now of Sutton Forest. Mr Percy Herford presided at the organ. A favorite hymn of deceased's was sung, "A few more years shall roll"; after which the 90th Psalm and portion (from the 20th verse) of the 16th chapter of St. Paul's 1st Epistle to the Corinthians. "Shall we gather at the River" was also sung, and the "Dead March in Saul" played on the organ. The burial service was afterwards concluded at the grave. Mrs John Price and Son had charge of the funeral arrangements.

Original publication

Citation details

'Gow, James (1836–1907)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/gow-james-24375/text33120, accessed 19 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

15 January, 1836
Wilberforce, New South Wales, Australia

Death

6 July, 1907 (aged 71)
St Marys, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

stroke

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation