Woodmansee, R. H.

WOODMANSEE

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 9/24/2008 at 21:45:31

R. H. Woodmansee

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.170, Macedonia Twp.)
R. H. Woodmansee, merchant, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Macedonia, was born in New Jersey in 1839; his father, John Woodmansee, was born in New Jersey in 1804; he was a sailor for the first forty years of his life and a Captain a good portion of this time; he met with heavy losses, being shipwrecked off the American coast. The loss being total, he emigrated to Shelby County, Ohio, in 1844, where he located on a farm near Sidney; there he has since followed agricultural pursuits, and has been very successful, being among the leading men of the county. Subject's mother, Harriett (Platt) Woodmansee, was born in New Jersey in 1808, and is the mother of seven children, one of whom is dead. Mr. Woodmansee was educated in the common schools of Ohio, and enlisted in the three months' service;' then re-enlisted in the Twentieth Ohio Regiment, where he served as a private until after the battle of Shiloh, when he was promoted to Second Lieutenant; he was made First Lieutenant in 1863; was severely wounded at Atlanta, Ga., July 22, 1864, in consequence of which he was disabled two full years, being discharged in 1864. Upon being discharged, he was tendered a Captain's commission as soon as he should be able to take command; but he was not able to do so till the war closed. After coming from the army, he emigrated to Pottawattamie County, Macedonia Township, and settled at the old town of Macedonia for one year, during which time he bought the farm on which he now lives, moving to it the next year, or in the fall of 1866. This farm consists of 250 acres and bounds the town of New Macedonia on the west; it was wild land when Mr. Woodmansee settled on it, but now is a beautiful home. Mr. Woodmansee served on the Board of County Commissioners in 1868, filling a vacancy, and has served his township in nearly all of its offices. He is a member of the firm of Woodmansee, Knox & Co., of Macedonia, and also turns his attention largely to the raising of stock. He is a firm Republican. He married Miss Jennie Robinson, of Shelby County, Ohio, in September, 1866; she was born in Shelby County, Ohio, June 30,1843; her father, Henry Robinson, was born in Shelby County, Ohio, February 17, 1814; still lives in the same county on a farm near Sidney; her mother was born in Champaign County, Ohio, November 29, 1817, and is the mother of eleven children, eight of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Woodmansee have five children - Frank E., born December 27, 1868; Minnie E., February 28, 1872; Harry L., August 16, 1874; John H., December 24, 1876, and Stella May, born December 5, 1878. Mr. Woodmansee carries a scar on his forehead that will go with him to the grave. During the Kansas troubles he, with some other young men, went into that State, and while at Fort Scott they followed a party of Indians that had captured two girls a short distance north of the fort. These Indians were followed by a large party, all of whom gave up the chase, except Mr. Woodmansee and his four companions, who continued, and overtaking the redskins, who numbered sixteen, whipped them, recaptured the girls and brought them safely back to Fort Scott, which at that time contained but one small store. During this skirmimsh, Mr. Woodmansee received a wound, which occasioned the scar before mentioned.