Woodard, Dr. Otto Willis 1884-1909

WOODARD, RUGGLES

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 7/26/2012 at 17:12:38

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Feb. 9, 1909

DR. OTTO WOODARD DIED AT NASHUA ON TUESDAY.
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A Victim of Typhoid Fever--Remains Interred Here Friday Afternoon--Cuts Short Promising Career.
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The people of this city were shocked to learn Tuesday of the death of Dr. Otto W. Woodard, a well known Grinnell boy, at Nashua in this state, where he had but recently located for the practice of medicine. Death was due to a prolonged attack of typhoid fever which began before Thanksgiving and gradually wore out the patient's strength. He finally succumbed on Tuesday after a brave fight in which he was aided by the tender and faithful services of his fiancee Miss Alice Ruggles, also formerly of this city, who served as his nurse and did all that human power could do to save his life.

Otto Willis Woodard was born January 18, 1884, in this city. His parents died in early childhood and he was raised by his grandparents. After graduating from Grinnell high school he entered the postal service as a railroad clerk, obtaining funds to pursue his studies in Iowa College Academy, from which he graduated in 1904. He entered Northwestern Medical school in Chicago and received his diploma in 1908, going to Nashua to practice his profession, after pursuing special medical studies in Europe one summer.

He was an unusually bright young man and his life was marked by steadfast purpose and clean character. He was universally admired by all who knew him and no one knew aught that reflected on his honor or manhood. He joined the Methodist church when very young and retained membership here until his removal to Nashua, when he took out his membership there. His influence and example was always for good among the young people of the church, who with his many boyhood friends here feel his loss most keenly.

Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at the home of his uncle, George Woodard. The pall bearers were former classmates--Emory Stickle, Jay Swaney, Claire Barber, John Thorpe, Warder Stoakes, and Hulbert Jacobs. Music was furnished by a male quartette composed of J.C. Kibby, G.H. Walker, C.W. Benson and W.V. Davies. The services were conducted by the Rev. Elias Handy and the remains interred in Hazelwood cemetery, thus bringing an untimely end to a life which had been cleanly and well spent and which opened to a future filled with bright prospects for service and success.