William J. Woodside

MCBRIDE, SAYRE, BOYD

Posted By: Gail Meyer Kilgore (email)
Date: 3/22/2004 at 00:32:43

WILLIAM J. WOODSIDE. The agricultural interests of Grundy County are well represented by this gentleman, who resides on the southwest quarter of section 15, Melrose Township, and is a progressive and successful farmer. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Philadelphia April 1, 1848, and is a son of James Woodside, who was born in Ireland, and came to this country in 1835. He settled in Philadelphia, where he followed the machinist's trade until October, 1855. In the City of Brotherly Love he married Eliza McBride, who was also a native of the Emerald Isle. With his family he emigrated to Hardin County, Iowa, in 1855, locating in Eldora Township, about four miles east of the city of Eldora. He became the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of good land, and there engaged in famring until the death of his wife, which occurred October 15, 1882. He then removed to Fremont Co., Neb. He and his wife were both members of the Presbyterian Church.

Our subject is the eldest of four children, three of whom are still living. Sarah died in 1865. Thomas J. is a custom officer under the Mexican government in Pero del Norte. Mary is the wife of S. W. Boyd, a real-estate dealer of Fremont, Neb. William J. Woodside was a youth of nine summers when he went with his parents to Hardin County, where he remained until seventeenth years of age. He had not yet celebrated his seventheeth birthday when, on the 28th of March, 1865, he joined the boys in blue of Company M, Ninth Illinois Cavalry. He was mustered out in October of the same year. He had previously made an attempt to enter the service, but was rejected on account of his youth.

After his return from the war, Mr. Woodside worked as a farm hand until 1874, when he purchased the farm he now owns. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Ludema A. Sayre, a daughter of Salmon D. Sayre, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Their marriage was celebrated September 17, 1876, and they began their domestic life on the farm which has since been their place of residence with the exception of two years spent in Grundy Centre. He still owns one hundred acres of rich and valuable land, and his energies are devoted to general farming and stock-raising. His life has been a busy and useful one, and the result of his labors is to be seen in one of the finest farms in the community.

In his political views Mr. Woodside is a Republican, and is an active worker in the interests of the party. He has served as Assessor of the township for six years, was Township Trustee for two terms, and has been a member of the School Board. The duties in a prompt and faithful manner that has won him high commendation and gained him re-election. He is a member of Wilson Post No. 77, G. A. R.; he also belongs to the Odd Fellows' lodge and encampment, and has been Past Grand in the former. The Methodist Church finds in him a faithful and consistent member, and he is now serving as Steward and Trustee. His career has been marked with the strictest honor and integrity, and his example is well worthy of emulation.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
Grundy, Marshall and Jasper Counties, Iowa
1894