William Clout, another son of David Clout and Caroline Clout, was born in Goulburn in 1851.
Shortly after coming to Tumut he joined the All Salnts Church Choir and remained a chorister contlnuously for 64 years. When he had served 50 years the Church presented him with a testimonial. He was a Church Councillor and was recognised as one of the best cricketers in the district.
He learned the bootmaking trade from his brother-in-law George Howard. Leaving this business he spent the remainder of his working life in the storekeeping business of RA. Newman and GF. Grill & Co. as an ironmonger.
In 1877 William Clout married Mary Ann Bartholemew at Tumbarumba. His wife died in childbirth. In 1889 he married Agnes Mary Reville.
William Clout lived in Simpson Street for many Years Where he had a splendid vegetable garden producing almost a sufficiency of foodstuffs for the family. His thirty hives of bees made first quality honey, which he readily sold at 7/6 for a four-gallon tin.
The Tumut and Adelong Times 31 Jul 1934
OBITUARY MR. WILLIAM CLOUT Early on Saturday morning another very old resident of Tumut crossed the Rubicon, when Mr. William Clout died at the Tumut District Hospital from heart failure. Deceased was born at Goulburn in 1851, and was therefore 83 years of age. He was a son of the late David Clout, of Tumut, and came to this district, with his parents when quite young, their first residence being "Homebush," Tumut, and then they moved to "Rosemount," Brungle, where his father took up a selection which has been in succeeding generations since. His first employment was with Mr. John Dodd, butcher, then with Mr. G. Howard (brother-in-law), afterwards entering the store of the late Mr. R. A. Newman (now Tweedie's Buildings), where he qualified as an ironmonger. When the new double storey building was erected on the site of Baker's Post Office Stores he moved with Mr. Newman's staff there, and subsequently continued in the capacity as head shopman in the ironmongery department when the late Mr. Geo. F. Grill took over. The store was demolished by fire in 1912 and the present large building erected in its stead. Deceased remained with Mr. Grill until the latter's death, and followed on with his successor, Mr. F. L. Baker, up to several years ago when he retired from active work. All through his life he was a devout churchman, being for 60 years in All Saints' C. of E. Choir, a member of the Parochial Council for a great number of years, and interested himself in many other activities of that and other churches in the parish. Upon the jubilee of his association with the choir he was presented with a Cathedral Prayer Book, inscribed "A Jubilee Gift presented to Mr. William Clout, an honored and esteemed worshipper, by the Parishioners of All Saints' Church on his attaining his 50 years' membership of the Choir; December 22, 1918." A wallet of notes also accompanied the gift. Rev. Mr. Burgess was the then Rector. At the age of 26 years he married Miss Bartholomew, of Tumbarumba, who left him a widower. At the age of 38 he married Miss Agnes Mary Reville, of Tumut, daughter of the late Matt. Reville, at All Saints' Church, Rev. Mr. Thompson being the celebrant. To the union there were eight child ren, viz: Ethel (Mr. J. Todd, Adelong), Ivy (Mrs. W. Pugh, Tumut), Lila (Mrs. H. Poulton, Punchbowl), Audrey (Randwick), Rev. Noel (Goulburn), Norman (Tumut). A sorrowing wife and these of the family are left to mourn their irreparable loss. Deceased was in good health up till eight days before his demise. He collapsed at his home, Simpson-st., on the Friday and was admitted to the Tumut Hospital and treated by Dr. Harbison, but the life was spent and nothing could be done to retain the vital spark. In his early days the late Mr. W. Clout was one of the best all-round cricketers in the district, and at that time Tumut possessed some top-notchers. He was a fine type of homely man, one who never was known to speak ill of any one and enjoyed the respect and regard of all with whom he came in contact. Prior to the funeral, which was on Sunday, a short service was conducted by Rev. F. W. Rettie at All Saints' Church. The cortege was a lengthy one, the burial being in the New Cemetery. Rev. F. W. Rettie officiated at the graveside. Mr. H. W. Baker performed the mortuary duties. The casket-bearers were six of the grandsons (Norman, William and Thomas Bird, William and Eric Todd and Norman McAlister). He was the last survivor of a family of 12, the late George Clout, of "Rosemount," Brungle, being a brother. |
