David Woolliscroft, 1832-1896

WOOLLISCROFT, OLMSTEAD

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 3/29/2011 at 15:16:42

Uncle David Passes Away.

Last Friday evening at about nine o'clock at his home in this city occurred the death of Uncle David Woolliscroft, one of Spencer's oldest and best known citizens. Uncle David was taken sick about six months ago but after being confined to his bed several weeks rallied some and was able to be about the house and was on the street for a short time about three weeks ago. He was taken worse again and from that time gradually failed until death relieved him. Chronic Bright's Disease is given as the cause of death.

He leaves a wife, a daughter-in-law and two grand children living in this city besides a host of friends to mourn his death.

We glean from the history of Clay county the following facts concerning his life:

David Woolliscroft was born in Fulford, Staffordshire, England, March llth, 1832. After attending school in his native town, he went to Liverpool, where he had the advantage of a business college. He then went to Hanley, and in 1853 engaged in commercial business. In 1855 he came to America to visit a brother living In Janesville, Wis., and remained there several months. Hearing of the fertile fields of Iowa, then fast gaining in favor, he went to Howard county, and pre-empted 160 acres of land. In 1856 he removed to McGregor, and opened a wholesale oyster and cracker house. For seventeen years he was a resident of McGregor and intimately connected with the earlier settlement of that old established city. Subsequently he went to Monona, and in partnership with P'. B. Mason, was extensively engaged in hop raising. In the spring of 1878 he came west, looking for a location, and upon visiting Spencer he was so well pleased with it that he at once decided to engage in business here. He immediately returned to his home, and at once made preparations for moving his family and effects to this place. On the llth day of April he opened a store In Spencer, and has since that date been engaged in business. He was married October 1st, 1862, to Miss Clara M. Olmstead, only daughter of Le Grande Olmstead, and a niece of Hon. P. P. Olmstead and David Olmstead, the latter being the first Mayor of St. Paul, and also of whom Olmstead county, Wisconsin, is named.

The funeral services were held at the Christian church, Monday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, conducted by Rev. T. F. Bowen. Those present from abroad were Mrs. Alice Morris, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, sister of Mr. Woolliscroft; Mrs. Wm. Bywater, of Monona, Iowa, a niece, and Mr. Olmstead of Duluth, Minn., brother of Mrs. Woolliscroft.

Mrs. Woolliscroft leaves to-day with Mrs. Morris for Monona where she will visit for some time and then expects to go to Duluth to make her home with her brother.

Source: Spencer Herald, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; May 13, 1896.