DEATH OF ALDERMAN GOULD
THE OLDEST NEWBURY TRADER
SIXTY YEARS IN BUSINESS
By the death of Alderman Edward Gould J.P., which occurred on Sunday afternoon, Newbury loses its oldest tradesman and a familiar figure in public and private life. He was out and about just before Christmas, and during the severe weather caught a chill, which developed into bronchial pneumonia and at his advanced age there could be little hope of a recovery. Alderman Gould had always been willing to serve his native town to the best of his ability, and served the office of Mayor in 1898. Sincere sympathy is offered to Mrs Gould and the members of the family in their bereavement.

Edward Gould was born on January 17th 1840, and would have reached the venerable age of 88 in a week’s time. He was the son of Stephen Gould, who established a grocery business in Cheap-street over a hundred years ago, and died in 1869. Edward started his education in the diocesan school conducted by Mr Fentiman on the premises now occupied by the Savings Bank. In 1849 he was among the first twenty four boys elected to the Grammar School, then conducted at the Litten under the headmastership of the Rev. Henry Newport. Among his contemporaries were Francis Elliott Ryott, John and William Carter, John Shaw, the Barnes brothers,Stephen Hemsted, Rev. W.H. Booth, and many others who rose to distinction in local life. Edward's first choice was the drapery business, and after being apprenticed he was an assistant at Calne, Wilts., but in 1867 he returned home to take charge of his father's business. He was a man of shrewd capacity, and devoted himself to supplying the needs of the people. He has continued to trade throughout his long life, a period of sixty years, and converted the premises into a comfortable residence, so that he could always be on the spot.

Alderman Gould was a life-long attendant at the Parish Church, and always willing to share in parochial administration, being the senior sides man. One of his most praiseworthy philanthropic activities was the formation and oversight was the Gordon Boys' Brigade, which for many years provided a scheme of useful employment and training for boys who would have otherwise been running the streets acquiring undesirable habits. Mr Gould showed personal and practical interest in this movement, acting as treasurer, and never relaxing his efforts until there were no boys available, employment being otherwise obtainable. Mr Gould was a member of the Newbury Horticultural Society committee, and helped run its annual shows. He was an overseer and a National Schools manager.

Mr Gould's civic career commenced in 1894, when a vacancy was caused by the election of Mr Thomas Fidler as alderman. There were two possible candidates, Messrs E. Gould and John Rankin, the former being successful by 134 votes. The new councillor was called early to undertake the Mayoralty, being elected in 1897, when he served with credit and satisfaction. Before he had quite completed his year in office, he had to pass through a contested election, when the first working-man candidate put in an appearance, and succeeded in defeating the Mayor. Mr Gould was not long absent from the Council Chamber, and continued to act until his death. Although the oldest member in point of years, he was not the “Father of the Corporation” by virtue of long service. He was made an alderman in later years, and a Justice of the Peace in 1920. For some time he was chairman of the Public Health Committee.

Alderman Gould held the agency for Sutton and Co. Ltd. For over sixty years, and it has now been transferred to his son.

Mr Gould married in 1877, Emily, youngest daughter of John White Hobbs, formerly of Marlborough, and they celebrated their golden wedding in 1927. There was a family of seven, but three children died young. The wife, one son and three daughters survive.

Alderman Gould had a remarkable memory, and knew the town before the railway was opened, and coaches ran on the Bath-road. As a boy, and living close to the spot, he daily watched the making of the line. He recollected the arrival of the first engine “Jack of Newbury” drawn on a wagon by a team of many horses. Making friends with the driver, he enjoyed rides on the engine. Curiously he could not recall any function with the opening in 1847. However, he had lively recollections of the first excursion from Newbury to London for the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park in 1851. Half Newbury travelled in open cattle trucks. It was a beautiful day and the ladies used parasols. The return journey was made in covered carriages, but it was a great adventure, a first ride in a train and a first visit to London. Mr Gould remembered the Workhouse and the Gaol, which occupied the site of the present Free Library,also the borough policeman in top hats and a kind of uniform. He had seen Newbury change from a town of rural aspect to a borough of commercial importance. He was a worthy son of Newbury, and was among those who have helped in the developments of more than half a century.

THE FUNERAL
The funeral took place yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, the first part of the service at the Parish Church, at which there was a large attendance, including the Mayor and Corporation, magistrates, borough and church officials, personal friends. The Rector (Rev. L. R. Majendie) officiated, and two hymns were sung “peace, perfect peace” and “Abide with me”. At the close the organist (Mr Bernard Ramsey) played the Dead March in “Saul.”

The mourners were Mr and Mrs Archie Gould (son and daughter-in-law), Mr and Mrs G. Windley (daughter and son-in-law), Master John Gould (grandson), Mr Edward Gould (nephew), Mr and Mrs Cato (Ealing), Mrs Linggwood and Mr Ernest Leaver, Reading (nephew). Messrs Forge and Rushford (sons-in-law) were unable to be present through illness.

[There follows a list of the Mayor and Council officials followed by a long list of floral tributes]

The coffin of plain oak, was inscribed:

“Edward Gould, born January 17th, 1840,
died January 8th 1927”.

The internment was in Newbury Cemetery.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Camp Hopson & Co.

EDWARD GOULD
Alderman and Mrs Edward Gould celebrated their golden wedding on Saturday, when they were on a visit to a daughter and son-in-law at Highcliffe.

The wedding took place on April 30th, 1877 at St Nicholas Parish Church by the then Rector, Rev. J. Leslie Randall. Mrs. Gould was the youngest daughter of the late Mr. John White Hobbs, formerly of Marlborough, and latterly of Thatcham.

They have been associated with the business, civic and social life throughout the half-century, occupying the positions of Mayor and Mayoress in 1898. The alderman, who is in his eighty-eighth year, is the oldest member of the Corporation, and the senior tradesman in the borough. He has a marvellous memory of old Newbury, and can recount the names and occupations of residents long since departed.

He has witnessed the development of the town from a rural community to a busy commercial centre. Alderman Gould was one of the first foundation scholars of the Grammar School, then held in the Litten Chapel, the condition of which is now engaging attention. Newbury friends will extend congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Gould on their happy anniversary.