WOODFORD, Sidney E.,

WOODFORD, NELSON, HOLLIDAY, MCFADDON, MOORE, COOK

Posted By: Norma Jennings (email)
Date: 10/25/2011 at 22:12:31

CAPT. SIDNEY E. WOODFORD,Brighton, Iowa, is also numbered among the early settlers of Washington County. He is a native of Vienna, Trumbull Co., Ohio, born Oct. 20, 1829. Isaac Woodford, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Connecticut, who moved to Ohio in about 1800. Amon Woodford, our subject's father, was there born, and married Nancy Nelson, formerly of Virginia. By this union there are five living children, three sons and two daughters: Mary A., the wife of Job Holiday, of Trumbull County, Ohio; Sidney E., of Brighton; Nelson, of this county; Isaac N., of Cass County, Neb.; Elizabeth C., the wife of J. A. McFadden, of Canton, Ohio. They were members of the Presbyterian Church, and were highly respected for their honesty, industry and sterling worth.

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received his education in the pioneer log schoolhouse. In 1850 he left his native State and came to Iowa, spending the first winter in Clay Township, Washington County. In the spring of 1851 he moved to Brighton, which has since been his home. On the 14th day of March, 1854, he was united in marriage with Miss Abigail Moore, a daughter of Anson Moore, one of the pioneers of this county. She was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, Dec. 27, 1835. Soon after the breaking out of the Rebellion, Mr. Woodford, in company with Vincent Andrus and Dr. S. C. Cook, then of this county, now of Sigourney, Keokuk County, succeeded in raising a company composed of men from Washington County, which subsequently became Co. K, of the 13th Iowa Infantry. On the election of officers at its organization, Mr. Woodford was made Captain, Mr. Andrus First Lieutenant, and Mr. Cook Second Lieutenant. The regiment was mustered in at Davenport, Iowa, where it remained about two months, and was then sent to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, and there equipped. From St. Louis it was sent to Pittsburg Landing, and in the battle of Shiloh lost heavily. It was next ordered to Corinth, Miss., at which place, on account of a sunstroke, Capt. Woodford was compelled to resign his commission. Returning home he again took up his trade of carpenter and joiner, and has since continued to follow the same.

In politics Capt. Woodford is a staunch Republican, and for three years was one of the members of the Board of Supervisors of Washington County, serving as Chairman of the board for two years, during which time the present county hospital was erected, Capt. Woodford superintending the same. Capt. Woodford and his wife are the parents of four children. Edwin N., now at Escolon, Mex., engaged in railroading; Ella A. is a graduate of the High School at Brighton, and is now engaged in teaching; Frank A. is Station Agent at Sheffield, Franklin Co., Iowa; Charles S. resides at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Woodford are members of the Congregational Church at Brighton. Fraternally he is a member in good standing of the I.O.O.F., and has passed all the Chairs in the Subordinate Lodge. He was for a time Deputy Grand Master for that order in this State. He is also a member of George Logan Post No. 363, G.A.R. Capt. Woodford is a man well and favorably known throughout the county, and in the discharge of every official duty he has won the confidence of all. Socially he is esteemed by every one.

Portrait and Biographical Album, Washington, Iowa pp. 186-187