Robert R. Woodring 1838-1929

WOODRING, COPPOCK

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 7/3/2010 at 12:52:19

The Carroll Times
Carroll, Iowa
16 Oct 1929
Pages 1 and 3

Second Oldest Mason in U. S. Died Wednesday

R. R. Woodring, Age 91, Former Carroll Business Man, Passed Away

R. R. Woodring, pioneer furniture dealer and undertaker of Carroll, died at his home, Nampa, Idaho, Wednesday morning, October 9, 1929, at ten o'clock. His death was caused by a general wearing out of his strong body, which age had touched lightly until the last few weeks. Mr. Woodring had passed his 91st birthday and had the distinction of being the second oldest member of the Masonic fraternity in the United States.

J. E. Woodring, son of the deceased man, accompanied his father's body to Carroll, where Masonic services were held at the Carroll cemetery Saturday afternoon, October 12, conducted by the Masonic lodges of this city. Burial was made beside his wife, who has been dead many years. Six grandsons acted as pallbearers.

Relatives here for the funeral were J. E. Woodring, Nampa, Idaho; Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Detrick, son George, and daughter, Emma, of Cedar Rapids; Robert Detrick and Mr. and Mrs. Carol Detrick, of Omaha; Mrs. Emma Forbes, sons, Newell and Lynn, of Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. Bert Forbes, of Pocohontas; J. W. Forbes and son, Walden, of Walnut, Ia.; W. E. Smith of Clemens, Ia.; and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Detrick of Marshalltown.

Robert R. Woodring was born at Bethlehem, Pa., April 23, 1838. Later the family moved to Ohio, then to Illinois. Mr. Woodring was married in Ohio to Miss Rebekah Coppock, of Quaker stock.

They came to Carroll, Ia., in 1880, where Mr. Woodring went into the furniture business. Mr. Woodring was an ardent lover of horses, as well as a good horseman, and while in Carroll, as a hobby, outside his store, owned a string of thoroughbreds. He was a familiar figure in this community, driving a span of fast horses hitched to a high-wheeled sulky. He also took an interest in house-building, and erected several residence properties in this city.

In 1910 Mr. Woodring disposed of his store in Carroll and moved to Boise, Idaho, where he entered the furniture business. This he conducted for a number of years. Later he sold his interests in Boise and with his son, J. E. Woodring, purchased a large apple orchard near Nampa, Idaho. He was in this business at the time of his death.

For 65 years Mr. Woodring was a member of the Masonic lodge, which he joined at Antwerp, Ohio, in 1864. He was an Arch Mason 45 years and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for 46 years. When a resident of Carroll he served as worshipful master of the local lodge for three years.

Mr. Woodring was the oldest Mason in Idaho in point of membership, and at the meeting of the Idaho Grand Lodge in September of this year there was a beautiful ceremony when he was presented with a 50-year jewel, which was the gift of the Ohio Grand Lodge.

Mr. Woodring made his last visit to Carroll in May, 1929. He was well at that time and manifested much interest in his old home town and his many friends, although he confessed to a feeling of great homesickness when he returned to this city. "A homesickness for that which had been," as he expressed it.

Few live to be as old as the deceased, and still fewer have the pleasure of being active and strong in their last years, spreading happiness and good will to the very end of their lives. In spite of his 91 years Mr. Woodring never grew old, so great was his joy in living.

Mr. Woodring is survived by his son, J. E. Woodring, of Nampa, Idaho, two daughters, Mrs. Carrie Detrick of Cedar Rapids, Ia., and Mrs. Emma Forbes of Omaha, Nebr., ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.