Biographical Sketch of

John B. Woodward

Transcribed by Joan Benner



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 575 - 576


John B. Woodward, who is numbered among the honored pioneers of Waushara County, is engaged in general 
farming and stock-raising on section 35, in the town of Rose. As he is one of the prominent and influential 
citizens of the community, we know that the record of his life will be of interest to the readers of the 
Album and it is therefore with pleasure that we bring this sketch. He was born on the 6th of November, 1830, 
in Littleton, Mass., and is a son of John and Maria (Stiles) Woodward. His maternal ancestry were of Scotch 
origin and both his parents were representatives of early New England families. His father followed various 
occupations in early life, but after removing to New Hampshire, in 1837, engaged in the occupation of farming, 
in which he was quite successful. He became one of the well-known citizens of the community in which he 
located and held various local offices of trust. His family numbered six children, four of whom are yet 
living--Mary Ann, wife of George W. Dowd, of White Creek, Wis.,; John B., of this sketch; James A., who makes 
his home with our subject; and Sabra, wife of John Stewart, of New Madrid, Mo.  The two other children died 
in infancy. Mr. Woodward came with his family to the West in 1851, and took up his residence on section 2, 
in the town of Wautoma, Waushara County, where he entered land and began the development of a farm, but ere 
he had resided in his new home five years he was called to his final rest, dying in August, 1855, at the 
age of fifty-seven years. He was an industrious and hard working man, upright in all his dealings and labored 
zealously for the interests of his family. His wife passed away in 1869. Both were devout members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Woodward was Class-Leader for many years. At his death the county 
lost one of its noble citizens and the church a faithful supporter.

Our subject was but seven years of age when the family removed to New Hampshire. He received his education 
in the common schools of Warner, that State, and at the age of seventeen years left the parental roof and went 
to Fisherville, New Hampshire, where he was employed in the cotton factory for about three years, in the 
capacity of overseer of the weaving room. He preceded his parents to the West in 1851, but again returned to 
New Hampshire where for three years he occupied his former position in a cotton mill. It was with regret on the 
part of his employers that he severed his connection with the factory, but believing that he could more easily 
secure a home in the new growing West, he again came to Wisconsin in 1854, making choice of Waushara County as 
the scene of his future operations. He entered land from the Government on the north half of section 35, in the 
town of Rose, which had just come to market, the Indians having left it only a short time previous for their 
reservation beyond the Mississippi. When Mr. Woodward first visited this region the red men were still numerous 
in the settlement and where now are prosperous homes, the smoke of the Indian wigwam could be seen among the trees.

Mr. Woodward was married on the 16th of March, 1851, being joined in wedlock with Miss Sarah Moore, of Canterbury, 
New Hampshire, a daughter of Isaac and Rhoda (Bennett) Moore, who were also natives of that city, where the mother 
spent her last days. The death of the father occurred in Boston, Mass.  Coming to the West, the first home of the 
young couple was a rude shanty on section 2, in the town of Wautoma, where they continued to reside a little over 
a year before returning to the East. On coming to the West in 1855 they settled on section 3, Wautoma Township, 
and in 1863 they took up their residence on their present farm. They underwent all the trials and hardships of 
pioneer life, but prosperity at last crowned their united efforts and they are numbered among the substantial 
citizens of the community. Their home was destroyed by fire in 1874, but with characteristic energy Mr. Woodward 
replaced it with  his present commodious and handsome residence. He has added to his original purchase until he 
now owns 160 acres of land and has given considerable to his sons, the family now operating 730 acres in the 
town of Rose.

The seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Woodward are: Orville, who died at the age of three years; John M. who is 
married and resides in Greenbush, Wis.; Henry married Ellen Hanson, and is living on section 35, in the town of 
Rose; Isaac, who wedded Miss Tamma Jenks, is engaged in farming in the same town; Daniel is similarly employed on 
section 27 in the town of Rose; Theodore J. married Sarah Knutson and follows farming on section 35; and Wendell, 
the youngest, who married Carrie Knutson, resides on section 35. As the educational advantages which Mr. Woodward 
received were limited, he resolved that his children should never feel the same lack and spared neither labor nor 
expense in providing them with such advantages as would fit them for the practical duties of life.

In 1864, our subject laid aside the plow and enlisted in Company D, 37th Wisconsin Infantry. He participated in 
the battle of Ft. Steadman, the long seige and capture of Petersburg and all the important engagements in which 
his regiment took part until the 2nd of April, 1865, when he was taken sick and sent to Fairground Hospital, at 
Petersburg, Virginia, where he remained until the 13th of June, following, when he was mustered out on account of 
disability. The same loyalty which prompted him to respond to his country's call for aid has marked the discharge 
of his duties of citizenship, and it is no exxageration to say that he is numbered among the most prominent citizens 
of the county. For many years he served as Side Supervisor of his town and for the past thirteen years has been 
Chairman of the Board. Carefully looking after the best interests of the community, he has won the respect of all 
and brought credit upon himself for his faithful discharge fo duty. He has not only been an eye-witness of the growth 
of Waushara County since its early days, but has been an active participant in the many great changes which have 
taken place and been prominent in the promotion of its public enterprises. He is an adherent to the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Woodward is a member. 

 

 
 





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