John B. Gough

John Bartholomew Gough was a temperance orator. Born in England, he was educated by his mother until the death of his father in 1829. He was then send to the U.S., where he became a bookbinder. After the death of his mother he became a drunkard, lost his job and became a ballad singer and story-teller in cheap theatres and concert-halls.

He got married and became a self-employed bookbinder, but he lost his wife and child and stuck to his bad habits.

The turning point came in 1842, when he signed a temperance pledge. After a heavy struggle and several relapses, he took control of his life again, and decided to devote his life to lecturing about temperance. He continued to do so until he was stricken with apoplexy while lecturing in the 1st Presbyterian Church of Frankford, Philadelphia, leading to his death two days later.