Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 168

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2 > Part 168

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WIRTH, Conrad (deceased) .- There are those in Springfield today who well remember the days when the city was the home of the im- mortal Lincoln, who saw him pass daily on his way to hls offices, and learned to know and love the kindly, homely face that was so soon to bear the impress of the nation's tragedy. These old residents of Springfield are proud of their memories of Lincoln and Douglas, and enjoy talking about them whenever occasion offers. Among the retired business men and capitalists

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

of the city was the late Conrad Wirth, who had lived there since 1854. He was born iu Witteu- berg, Germany, October 16, 1827, a son of Courad Wirth, also a native of Germany, who with his wite spent his life in his native land, dying there, He was a farmer, but early in life served iu the great struggle with Napoleou.

The boyhood of the younger Conrad Wirth was spent on the home farm, and he received a good education in his native tongue, but iu 1853 lett Germany, coming to America via New Or- leans. After two mouths spent iu that city he went on to Cincinnati, and after a year there came to Springfield, which was his home until his demise. Being a young man of sound busi- ness sense, Mr. Wirth became associated with some of the substantial institutions of the city, including the Springfield Dairy, of which he was at one time owner. As he grew older, however, he gradually withdrew from business activities, retired although he retained his realty holdings, which were considerable, including his pleasant home at No. 114 Elliott Avenue.

The marriage of Mr. Wirth occurred at Spring- field, February 7, 1864, when he was united with Mary Bierbaum, boru in Germany, May 16, 1840. Her parents came from Germauy to La Porte, Ind., in 1852, living there for two years, when they came on to Springfield, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Wirth had three children: David, married Della Whitlock, two children. Edua and Clara, and is a member of the firm of Wirth & Gaupp, florists; Conrad, married Johanna Mester, four children : Marie, Elizabeth N., Con- rad and David; and Elizabeth, who died in 1886. Mr. Wirth was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, of which he was a substantial con- tributor, and in politics was a Democrat. Through hard work and frugality he succeeded in amassiug a comfortable fortune, and was eu- joying the fruits of his labors. Mr. Wirth died February 14, 1911, and is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

WOMACK, Presley Barry .- Illinois sent tiou- sands of her best men to the front to battle for the Union during the Civil War. She drew them from their ploughs, from their desks and frou their professions, aud many never returued. But those who did, developed iuto efficieut citizens. the military training they received fitting them for the duties of private life. One of those soldiers who resumed farming activities upon his return, and uow retired, is Presley Barry Womack, of Springfield. He was boru in Wayne County. Ill., January 29, 1830, being a son of James and Elizabeth (Barry) Womack, natives of Bowling Green, Ky., the former born in 1791 and the latter in 179S. The father, who was farmer, emigrated west, locating in Wayne County, Ill., in 1825, and lived there until his death, in 1868, his widow surviving him until 1878. He was Justice of the Peace for a num- ber of years, as well as Road Commissioner, and

was one of the most prominent men of his lo- cality.

Presley B. Womack was brought up in Wayne County, beiug educated in its public schools, and trained in farm work by his father, re- maining with him until he was twenty-five years old. He then began farming for himself, thus continuing until his retirement in 1894. Coming to Springfield, he lived retired for several years, and in 1901 entered the employ of the C. & A. Railroad Company as flagman, thus continuing for five months. when he accepted the same posi- tion with the B. & O. Railroad Company, but gave up all work in 1902.' Upon coming to the city, he located at No. 414 West Carpenter Street, but recently purchased his residence at No. 119 West Reynolds Street. On September 10, 1861, Mr. Womack enlisted in Company I, Forty-eighth Illinois Infantry, under Captain Galbraith, and acted as hostler for the officers. His first battle was that of Fort Henry, aud later he was in the Battle of Shiloh. Mr. Wom- ack remembers well the ilustrious Abraham Lin- coln. When he was but a lad Mr. Womack hauled wood for the man who was later to be- come the head of the nation, and recalls the kindly consideration then shown him.

On February 11, 1855, Mr. Womack was united in marriage with Mahala Wheeler, daughter of John and Eliza (Ayres) Wheeler. They were Virginians by birth, who came to Illinois at an early day, first living in Gibson County, but later coming to Sangamon County, where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Womack had the following chil- dren : Susan, wife of Albert Prouty, a teamster ; Henry L .; Martha wife of John Priestman; William S., book-keeper; Benjamin F., an elec- trician; Anna wife of William Koch, and four who arc deceased. There are seven grandchil- dren in the family. Mr. Womack belongs to Stephenson Post No. 30, G. A. R., as well as to the Baptist Church. He is a Republican in pol- itical faith, being proud to support the party of Abraham Lincoln. He is one of the substantial men of the city and eujoys the confidence of those who know him.

WOOD, John. (Vol. I, p. 598.)

WOODCOCK, John R., farmer, section thirty- two, Mechanicsburg Township, Dawson rural free delivery twenty-one, Sangamon County, Ill., is a native of England. In all our history En- glishmen have become American citizens greatly to America's benefit. Such a thrifty and patriotic citizen is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Wood- cock was born in Norfolk, March 17, 1841, a son of Robert and Martha (Meddar) Woodcock, both natives of Norfolk. His parents never came to the United States. His father and his father's father were basket manufacturers. and the former coutinued his business in Norfolk till his death, which occurred in 1879. In the family were fourteen children, of whom only four sur- vive-John R. Woodcock, William Woodcock of

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Mechanicsburg, and two of their sisters, the lat- ter in England.

Mr. Woodcock was educated in his native Al- bion and when a mere boy was bound out by his father to learn the wagonmaker's trade, at which he was employed in England till he came over the water. It was in 1866 that he sailed from Liverpool, landing fourteen days later in New York. After abont three months spent in New York state, most of the time at Pines Plains, Dutchess County, where he was employed at farm work, he came to Sangamon County, ar- riving at Mechanicsburg before the end of the spring of the year mentioned. He found employ- ment on the farms of John Bullard and George Pickrell and on other farms, and bnsied himself thus for several years, then for seven years, he had a wagonmaking enterprise at Mechanicsburg. Closing that out, he moved to the farm on which he now lives, which consists of forty acres which he had then recently purchased. He has since added twenty acres to it, making of it a fine farm of sixty acres. He has become a man of influence in the township, acting politically with the Re- publican party. In his religions affiliations, he is a Methodist.

Mr. Woodcock married Miss Alice Ragan, in Mechanicsburg, November 21, 1880, the Rev. P. H. Kiser officiating. She was born in Hagers- town, Md., November 9, 1859, a danghter of Jon- athan Ragan, Her father was born in Maryland, there learned the printer trade, and worked at it all his life, residing in Mechanicsburg from 1866, when he moved there from Hagerstown, to 1906, when he died. He was postmaster at Me- chanicsbnrg for two terms. His widow still re- sides there, aged eighty-one years. They had eight children, of whom five survive. Mr. and Mrs. Woodcock have had seven children, six of them daughters, namely: Robert resides with his parents; Fannie married Elmer Bough, a farmer of Mechanicsburg Township, issne,- Willit, Alice and Lewis; Lena married George Clement of Mechanicsburg, issue,-Robert ; Pearl married Elmer Stevens of Sims, issue,-Earl ; Letia married Anthony Thoele of Teutopolis; Fern and Helen, also at home. Mr. and Mrs. Woodcock have five grandchildren.

WOODCOCK, William, of Mechanicsburg, San- gamon County, is a brother of John R. Wood- cock, a sketch of whom appears in this work. He was born at Docking. Norfolk, England. July 21. 1845, a son of Robert and Martha (Mad- dar) Woodcock, natives of Norfolk. The father was a manufacturer of fruit baskets for the trade in England. He died in England, aged seventy-one years, and his widow when she was eighty years old. Of their family William and John R. Woodcock, of Sangamon County, are the only representatives in America. Two of their sisters are living in England, Mrs. Mary H. Land, wife of a baker, at Wells, Norfolk. and Mrs. Harriet Stonex. wife of a carpenter and wheelwright, in Fieldgaling, Norfolk.

William Woodcock attended school in England

and at twenty-one had completed a seven years' apprenticeship to tlie basketmaker's trade with his father. He worked at his trade in England till 1869. Then he took passage on a steam- ship from Liverpool to New York and was two weeks making the voyage. He came west to Buffalo, Sangamon County, and has since farmed continuonsly, having followed his trade of bas- ketinaker occasionally, and has lived in the vicinity of Mechanicsburg for forty years.

October 18, 1875, Mr. Woodcock married, at Springfield, Miss Mary De Sousa, who was born in that city April 18, 1859, of parents who were natives of Portugal. The De Sousas came to Springfield so early that some of their neigh- bors were Indians and they lived there during all their after years. Mrs. Woodcock had a sister who has passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Woodcock have been born nine children, seven of whom are living: the eldest, Agnes, is the wife of John Hiner, and lives in Springfield ; William is a citizen of Mechanicsburg; Einma, wife of Mayo Dragoo, lives .in St. Louis, Mo .; Hattie, widow of Hugh Law, lives in Spring- field ; Theodosia is in California ; Henry B. and Bertha are members of their parents' house- hold. Mr. and Mrs. Woodcock have three grandchildren. They are nsefnl and influential members of the Methodist church.

WOODING, Daniel James, has built up a good business in the line of real estate, in Spring- field, Ill., and vicinity, during the last few. years. He has made a specialty of erecting cozy and substantial cottages, and these have met with a ready sale. He is a man of good bnsi- ness principles, has ability in the line he is following, and gives careful attention to the details of his work. Mr. Wooding was born in London, England, February 4. 1860, and is a son of Daniel Joseph and Mary (Brooks) Wooding, the former born in Yorkshire, Eng- land, and the latter in Cambridge. The father was employed in the English mail service,

The early education of Daniel James Wood- ing was acquired in his native country, and he later attended school in Burlington; Iowa, where with his parents he arrived in 1870, from Eng- land. At the age of thirteen years Mr. Wood- ing entered the office of the "Burlington Hawk- eye," then nnder the management of the late Postina ster-General Frank Hatton and Robert Burdette, the famous humorist and author. He had previously spent two years working in the office of Charles E. Perkins, Superintendent of the Burlington & Missonri River Railroad Com- pany, at Burlington, where he began his bnsi- ness career. After spending a decade in the office of the "Hawkeye," Mr. Wooding launched several crafts on the journalistic sea on his own account. as follows: "The Justice" and "The Western Herald." at Burlington, and "The State Topics." "Interstate Index" and "State Manual," at Springfield, all of which prospered nnder his management. He located permanent- ly at Springfield in 1893. He spent some time

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

on the road as representative of a Chicago com- mereial agency, and afterwards Identified hiu- self with real estate business, for which he has always had a predellction. He owns property In California and Texas, and considerahle in the City of Springfield.

October 24, 1884, Mr. Wooding was married, at Burlington, Iowa. to Miss Augusta C. Ben- nett, who was born at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, daughter of George M. and Esther A. Bennett. Her father was a volunteer soldier in the Civil War and is now prominent in the growth and progress of San Antonio, Tex., where he is a large property owner, contractor and huilder. One ehild has blessed the union of Mr. Wooding and his wife, James Bennett, born Deeember 27, 1897. Mr. Woodiug is a member of the Christian Church and in polities Is Independent. He is an honorary member of the International Typographieal Uniou and belongs to the Modern Woodmen, Knights of Pythlas and Business Meu's Association.

WOODMANSEE, Robert Ellis, editor "Illinois Tradesman" and Secretary of the Springfield Federation of Labor, was born in Scottville, Maeoupiu County, III., November 17, 1864, the son of John Fletcher and Mildred (Frazer) Woodmansee. The father enlisted at Carlln- ville as a volunteer In Company B, One Hun- dred and Twenty-Second Illinois Volunteer In- fantry during the Civil War, and, after serv- ing three years, he removed to Waverly, Mor- gau County, where he resided continuously uu- til his death on September 24, 1905. He was engaged in the mercantile business.

Robert E. Woodmansee was educated In the Waverly High School and Jacksonville Busi- ness College, and belng a member of a large family, worked most of the time when not In sehool. He was engaged as newsboy on the rallroad for a time, but later became elerk In a retall store until 18SS. when he turned his attention to newspaper work In connection with the "Illinois State Journal." In 1897 he be- came proprietor of the "Illinols Tradesman," a weekly labor paper, which he has conducted coutinuously to the present time with grati- fying sueeess. The paper Is free from debt, and Mr. Woodmansee is owner of the home which he oecuples at 839 Henrietta Street in the eity of Springfield. He was also Secretary of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, is serving a five-year term as member of the Springfield Board of Education (1908-13), and for the past fourteen years has beeu Secre- tary of the Springfield Federation of Labor, an organization to which he has devoted most zealous attention.

Mr. Woodmansee Is a Methodist In religious bellef and In politieal convictions a Republi- ean, but has not been an asplrant to political offiee, preferring to devote his attention to the interests of the organization of which he has been a zealous and prominent member for so many years. On May 24, 1900, he was married

in the eity of Springfield to Miss Franees J. Stevens, a daughter of Col. Thomas F. Stevens, of Palmyra, III., and they have two ehlldren : Robert Steveus, boru April 1, 1901, and Edwin Fleteher, boru November 16, 1910. By his high moral character and his unselfish devotion to the interests of the industrial . elasses, Mr. Woodmansee has won the confideuee and re- spect of the community In which he resides and whleh he has served In various public eapacIties.

WOODRUFF, Cornelius, a prominent farmer of Capital TowushIp, Sangamon County, III., and an honored veteran of the Civil War, was born in Frankliu County. Ky., October 25, 1844, son of John and Mary ( Petty) Woodruff, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Vir- glnia. The father was a earpenter and spent his entire lite in Kentucky, where he aud his wife both died. They had four sons and four daugh- ters, and besides Cornelius there is one son, Wil- liam. aud oue daughter. Katherine, surviving. The father of John H. Woodruff, Odiah Wood- ruff, was horn in New Jersey and served seven years in the Contluental Army. He was alde- de-camp to Gen. LaFayette and held the horse of that distinguished offieer while he went to the Battle of Brandywine. He was present at the siege of York.

The boyhood of Cornelius Woodruff was spent in his native State, where he received his edu- cation, and as a boy he worked on a farm and cut wood. He came to Springfield. in 1857, and began working in a saw-mill, where he remained about three years, and spent three years on a farm. He enlisted at Camp Butler, III., July 25, 1861, in Company I, One Hundred Fourteenth Illinols Volunteer Infantry, serving three years, and was mustered out at Caup Butler. He par- tleipated in every battle where his company took part during the time of his servlee, among them being: Vicksburg and Guntown, Miss. He was captured and spent six months in Andersonville Prison, where he won the gratitude of his fellow- prisoners by discovering the famous spring in the prison-yard. He served some time uuder Gen. Sherman. At the close of the war he re- turued to Sangamon County and spent six years farming there, then moved to Champaign County and for twelve years engaged lu farming aud condueting a meat business, after which he spent two years as prison-keeper iu the eity prison. Returning to Champaign Couuty, he speut an- other four years iu buteher business, then again located at Springfield. He subsequently went to New Mexico, where he entered land and en- gaged in farmiug. He spent three years in that State and still owns the land. Upou his return to Springfield he engaged in farming and owns property in Springfield. He is a prominent member of Stephenson Post, G. A. R .. and has a war record that is a eredit to his bravery and faithful servlee. He Is an iutellIgent and ener- getle farmer and business man and has been successful in whatever he has undertaken. In

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politics he is a Republican and is proud of the fact that his first Presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln.

Mr. Woodruff was married in Springfield, in 1875, to Miss Cinderella Vau Kirk, a native of Ohio, whose father emigrated from that State to Sangamon Connty in an early day and en- gaged in farming. Both her parents died in the county and she died in 1906. Two children were born of this union : Mary, wife of Arthur Sales, of Champaign County, and Marion, who joined the United States Naval Service and is now stationed in China on the Battleship "New York," being now nineteen years of age. At the State Fair of Illinois held in 1910, Mr. Woodruff was the "old fiddler" at the old pio- neer relic display, and stili uses the violin that he carried through the Civil War, which is a very fine instrument. It is shown in his por- trait.

WOODRUFF, Marion U., former Mayor of Springfield, Ill., and for many years prominent in local public affairs, has been practicing the profession of law in the city since 1890. He was born in Sangamon County, June 24, 1865, son of Thomas J. and Mildred (Tackett) Wood- ruff, natives of Kentucky. He attended the common schools of Sangamon Connty and spent his boyhood on the farm. As a young man Mr. Woodruff spent two years in school at Val- paraiso, Ind., and two years in Champaign, Ill. He received his legal training at Champaign, compieting it in the office of Thomas J. Smith, and was admitted to the Bar in 1888, soon after which he opened an office for the general prac- tice of his profession in Springfield. He has established himself weli in his profession and has won high standing in the community as a public-spirited citizen, as weii as a reputation for ability as a lawyer. He now has an office in the Marine Bank Building.

In politics Mr. Woodruff is a strong Dem- ocrat. He served as a member of the City Council of Springfield in 1893-94 and as Mayor in 1895-97. During his administration he was largely instrumental in securing the establish- ment of a municipal lighting plant, which re- duced the cost of lighting the city from $137 to $50 per arc light. This bili was bitterly op- posed by part of the council and was passed only after a close fight, and due credit was ac- corded Mayor Woodruff for his unfaltering po- sition on the question.

Mr. Woodruff was married, at Springfield, May 23, 1894, to Sarah M. Smith, daughter of Fred and Elizabeth (Granger) Smith, natives of Massachusetts. Mrs. Smith died in 1903. Mr. Smith is now a resident of Springfield, Ill. Two children were born to Mr. Woodruff and his wife: Marion Francis and Ciark Waldo. The family resides at 1004 South Fifth Street. Mr. Woodruff's grandfather, Nodiah Woodruff, fought in the Revolution, under General Wash- ington. Fraternally Mr. Woodruff is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.

WOODS, Robert Mann. (Voi. I, pp. 598-599.)

WOODWARD, Joseph Richard, who for the past ten years has been identified with the growth and progress of the village of Thayer, Ill., is now serving as President of the Village Board of that place and is a leader in every public enterprise. He is foreman of the Illinois Coai Washing Company's plant at Thayer, and dur- ing the time he has been associated with this company there has not been a strike, which fact speaks well for his executive ability and popularity. He was born in Farm Ridge Towu- ship, LaSaile Conuty, Iil., October 17, 1862, son of Jacob G. and Nancy J. (Ball) Woodward, natives of Fayette County, Pa., and of English descent. Jacob G. Woodward was brought by his parents to LaSalle County, and the father of Nancy J. Ball died in Fayette County, Pa. Jacob G. Woodward was a son of Joseph Wood- ward, who became a prominent man in La- Salle County. The former turned his atten- tiou to farming and stock raising after his marriage, continning this occupatiou until his death. In 1874 he went with his family to Sumner Connty, Kan., intending to locate there permanentiy, but the grasshoppers took posses- sion of the State to such an extent that he loaded his household effects into a wagon and returned to LaSalle County. His son Joseph R. weli remembers the trip to Kansas and back again, and recails how the grasshoppers de- stroyed thirty acres of corn, leaving nothing but the stalks.

To Jacob G. Woodward and wife thirteen children were born and ali stili survive, Joseph R. being the oldest. All were born near Ottawa, LaSalle County, save one daughter, Elizabeth, the seventh child, who was born in Sumner County, Kau., July 4, 1874, and is now the wife of Sanford Shields, residing in Oklahoma. The other children are: Varetta, born Jannary 2, 1864, wife of Lewis Evans, of Terre Haute, Ind .; Martin K., of Carmen, Okla .; Ruth, wife . of Walter Chamberiain, of Streator, Ill .; Her- man U., of North English, Iowa; Amanda, wife of Joseph France, of Carmen, Okia .; John Wii- liam, of Chicago; Cora, widow of Frank Kelly, of Terre Haute, Ind .; Mrs. Murreli Huckins, of Streator, Ill .; Myrtle, wife of Robert Pendle- ton, of Lafayette, Col .; Lester, of Streator, Ill .; Jacob, of Carmen, Okia. The father of these children died in 1892. He was a man of home- ioving, quiet disposition, unassuming in man- ner, friendly and kind to all. He was all ardent supporter of the principles of the Re- publican party and took an active part in the counciis of same. He was a good citizen and much interested in church work. His wife survived him until 1898, when she passed to her reward. Both were members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church and were esteemed by all for their good inoral and spiritual influence in their community. They sleep side by side in the cemetery at Farm Ridge, LaSalle County.

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

Joseph Richard Woodward was reared in LaSalle County and there attended the public schools, assuming the usual dnties of a farmer's son eariy in iife. He remained with his parents uutii abont twenty-four years old and, being the oldest child, learned the full details of farm work.

January 19, 1887, Mr. Woodward was mar- ried to Miss Ellen G. White, born in Bruce Township, La Salle County, May 15, 1869, daugh- ter of John and Elizabeth White, natives of Scotland, who came to America about 1865, settling near Streator, where they lived nntil his death, Aprii 4, 1910, all these years having been spent on the farm where they settled in 1865. His widow still lives there. After his marriage Mr. Woodward went to work by the month on the farm of Jerome Corber, in LaSalle County, with whom he remained until 1890, then spent one year on rented land, and in 1891 accepted a position with an electric light plant, which was located at Grandridge. In consequence of an explosion this plant was burned, and as it was not rebuiit, Mr. Woodward was compelled to seek employment elsewhere. He began work, in the fali of 1892, with the Chicago, Wilmington & Vermilion Coal Company, on a hoisting engine; in 1900, the same company was just opening up a mine at Thayer and sent him to take charge of their hoisting engines at that place. He remained with this company at Thayer from May 30, 1900, until Angnst 1, 1901, then accepted a position with the Illinois Coal Washing Company as foreman of their plant, which position he has since held, being well fitted by knowiedge and experience to take charge of this kind of work. He has beeu one of the leading men in build- ing np a town at Thayer and has ocenpied an important piace in the conduet of affairs in the community since iocating there. At the time he came to Thayer there were but two men there and but one house stood where the present plat of the village is located. The present population is about 1,200 and there are about 400 miners employed by the com- pany with which Mr. Woodward is connected. He has served some time as a inember of the Board of Village Trustees and is now serving a term as President of that body, his official dnties having been performed in a manner most satisfactory to all concerned.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 168

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774