Sarah Elizabeth Miller Woodruff

MILLER, WOODRUFF

Posted By: Linda Holm (email)
Date: 1/23/2012 at 15:39:43

Waverly Independent Republican newspaper Thursday May 23, 1929

W.R.C CHARTER MEMBER IS DEAD
--- Mrs. Woodruff, Last of Charter Group of Local Corps, Dies After Extended Illness. ---
Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Woodruff died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ethel Cave, Sunday morning, May 19, 1929, after being in failing health for a number of years. In the death of Mrs. Woodruff the last charter member of the local Woman’s Relief Corps has passed away. The deceased was born in Belvidere, Ill., April 27, 1847, and was 82 years old at her birthday less than a month ago. She resided there until 1865 when she came to Bremer county, Ia. with her mother who settled on a farm near Horton, her father having died while serving in the Union army at Vicksburg.
Was School Teacher.
As a young lady she taught in the rural schools of the county and was the first teacher of the Terry school in Polk township. Later she taught at the Trumbo Grove school, in Warren township. It was while teaching there in 1871 that she was united in marriage with Albert H. Woodruff, a young farmer who operated the Trumbo Grove farm. A few years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff moved to Waverly where Mr. Woodruff followed the trade of a carpenter for many years and died here April 14, 1926.
Lived With Children.
After the death of her husband Mrs. Woodruff continued to live in Waverly and with declining health she made her home with her son Van Woodruff and her daughter. Mrs. Ethel Cave. Mrs. Woodruff was a patriotic woman and when the Woman’s Relief Corps was organized in Waverly in 1886 she was one of the charter members and its last surviving charter member. During her connection with the organization she was its president and filled all other offices of the order.
Did Charity Work.
Her religious affiliations were with the Methodist Episcopal church and she was a regular attendant as long as her health would permit. In connection with the Corps she took an active interest in charitable work and it was a great pleasure for her to assist those who were sick or in need.
Surviving are one son and one daughter, Van Woodruff and Mrs. Ethel Cave, both of Waverly. There are six grandsons, one granddaughter and six great grandchildren, also one sister, Mrs. Ella Hurlbut of Clark. S.D. The funeral was conducted from the George J. Kaiser chapel Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, the members of the Relief corps attending in a body. The services were conducted by this Rev. C.C. Bacon, and burial was in Harlington cemetery.