LEVI WOODRUFF

WOODRUFF, JOHNSON, GIBBONEY, KENDALL, KING, HUNTER, LEVI

Posted By: volunteer
Date: 3/7/2009 at 22:30:04

LEVI WOODRUFF, a farmer residing on section 28, Grand View Township, was born in Hartford County, Conn., in the town of Southington, Dec. 19, 1818. To his parents, Bushnell and Harriet (Johnson) Woodruff, who were also natives of Connecticut, were born twelve children, of whom Levi was the sixth in order of birth. His father was a farmer by occupation, and remained in his native State until his death, which occurred April 12, 1849, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. The mother preceded her husband but a short time, departing this life Dec. 11,1 848, in the fifty-seventh year of her age. The maternal grandfather of our subject fought in the Revolutionary War.

Levi Woodruff spent his boyhood days upon the farm and in attendance at the district schools in Connecticut, but later learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for some years. He subsequently entered the employ of Case & Co. as a traveling salesman, selling cloaks in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Tennessee, and later was employed by another firm in the same line, traveling through Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri. In 1850 he took up his residence in Louisa County, settling on section 28, Grand View Township, where he bought 160 acres of partly improved land. He immediately began its further cultivation, and later added to his original purchnse, until he now owns 253 acres of fine, arable land, in a good state of cultivation. His farm is stocked with a good grade of horses and Durham cattle, and is one of the best in the township.

In 1847, in Louisa County, Iowa, Mr. Woodruff led to the marriage altar Miss Sarah M. Gibboney, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Benjamin and Margaret (Kendall) Gibboney, whose birthplace was also in the Quaker State. In the year 1837 the family emigrated to Licking County, Ohio, where they made their home until 1846, and then became residents of Louisa County, Iowa, settling in Grand View Township, where Mr. Gibboney bought and improved a farm, and later kept a tavern in the village of Grand View. Mrs. Gibboney died on the 5th of September, 1878, her husband having preceded her many years, he having departed this life June 26, 1850.

Shortly after their marriage our subject and his young wife began their domestic life upon the farm which for nearly forty years has been their home. Eleven children came to grace their union, eight of whom are still living: Frank died at the age of fifteen months, in 1850; Albert died Aug. 9, 1852; William departed this life May 81, 1862; Edgar is now married, and resides in Cherokee County, Kan.; Harriet H., now Mrs. King, is living in Grand View; Orpha, now Mrs. Hunter, resides in Grand View Township; Sadie, Levi. Eva, David and Vinnie are still inmates of the paternal home.

Mr. Woodruff has always taken an active part in political affairs, and is an ardent supporter of the Republican party. He has held the office of Township Trustee, and was one of the stockholders in the seminary at Grand View, which finally came under the control of the United Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Woodruff is in fellowship with the Brethren Church at Grand View. Our subject is practically a self-made man, having gained all that he now possesses by his own industry. Not afraid of labor, he has earnestly and honestly striven to gain a comfortable competence, and has received the reward of honest toil. As a pioneer and a citizen, he receives the highest respect of the people of Louisa County.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album 1885