Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-11-19
The Old Men of ROckbridge.
DIR. WILLIAM NJ. GOLD.

The subject of this sketch was
one of the active, prominent cltl-
zens of the county. He was a
native of Rockbridge and son Of
James Gold, who had also been a
thorough business man and who
lived to a good old age. OF the
early life of DR.. Gold the writer
has very little acquaintance, only
having known him during that
period Of the Doctors life, from
what might be considered meridian
age to the time of his death.
DR.. Gold was married to a
most estimable young lady,
Miss Steele, whose paternal home
was few miles this side of Mid
way, the farm on which G. j. Bell
Esq, now resides, near the Fair
field road. 1t is fact so well
known at that day that we may be
pardoned in stating that Miss
Steele was especially recognized as
one of the finest looking young
ladies in that section of the county.
Her death came while yet in bloom
ing womanhood, and she left a
devoted husband, two young
daughters, and numerous circle
of relations and friends to mourn
her early decease.
After a full course Of study and
due preparation in the medical
schools, DR.. Gold commenced life
as practising physician. In
this capacity he soon rose to dis
tinction in his profession. The
greater portion of his professional
career was spent in the town Of
Brownsburg and vicinity. Here
he had an extensive field Of opera
ton and performed "A most useful
part in the discharge Of his pro-
fessiOnal duties. Affable in man
ners and skillful in the practice Of
medicine, his professional business
greatly increased, and towards the
latter portion of his life, for the
more efficiently answering the de-
mands upon his medical services, a
partnership was formed between
himself and promising young ply
stefan, DR.. John Curry. This con-
tinued through a goodly number
of years and their united labors
gave general satisfaction to the
people of Brownsburg and an
extended surrounding country.
There are many yet living in that
section who will ever gratefully
remember DR.. Gold as the attentive,
kind physician, always willing and
ready to administer to the wants
of the sick and suffering.
When the Justices were self
elected body, DR.. Gold was selected
to act in that capacity, and at no
time has it been higher honor to
fill the post of Justice of the Peace,
or have those acting in that capacity
ever been men more eminently fit
ted for the discharge of the duties
of the office, than when thus
elected, His services were cheer
fully rendered at time when none
but disiGterested motives could
have actuated him in serving.
After long-fought contest for
the ascendancy in Rockbridge,
between the Wings and Demo
Gratis, previous to 1910, the former
party succeeded in securing a
majority which was considered
sufficient to settle the politics of
the county in their favor. The
Democratic vote, in subsequent
elections, was for the most part
divided between the variCu Wing
candidates, the Democrats feeling
pretty well assured that should
they bring out candidates it would
only result in having the surplus
Wings ruled off by convention OF
that party. 1t was under this
state of affairs that Gen. Dorman
and DR.. Gold were elected to the
Legislature in the spring of 1916,
they having been the successful
candidates in II "free fight"
among number of Wing aspirants.
We can most assuredly say that in
the position of legislator DR..
Gold acquitted himself with credit
and satisfaction to his constit-
uents.
AS citizen DR.. Gold took an
active part in public matters and
maintained an influential position.
Liberal in his views of public
policy. he was among the loren ost
in the promotion of all matters Of
public interest. His talents and
his purse were at the command of
his fellow-citizens in advancing
the common veal whenever judi
ciously required. No commendable
object ever failed to receive his
Jealous support, whether of a
public or private character.
| charitable to the needy, his heart