Andrew L. Woodruff
Born: July 19, 1868 in Iowa
Died: June 11, 1877 in Jasper Co., Iowa
Buried: Lot 181, plot 10 (no tombstone)
Lot owner: Lewis A. Woodruff, purchased in 1904
Parents: Lewis A. and Esther (Willison) Woodruff1
Died
WOODRUFF -- At his home four miles southwest of Newton, June 11, 1877, after an illness of six weeks, ANDREW L. WOODRUFF, son of L.A. and E. Woodruff. Aged 8 years, 10 months, and 23 days.
During his sickness, though so young, he conversed freely and intelligently with his parents and others in reference to death and eternity, expressing a desire to live yet a willingness to die and be with Jesus. Saying to his father, "I am trying to be good." To his mother, "When other boys used naughty words I have tried to keep from it. I have tried to be good for none but good boys can go to heaven."
In the last hour, with a warm grasp on the hand, he bade each member of the family and friends an affectionate farewell. Then said, "Father, bid aunt Anna, and also the doctor farewell for me." Then he asked, "Ma, do you think I am dying." "Yes, Andrew, there is a better place for you and me. Jesus loves you and has come to take you to Heaven." He answered, "yes," by nodding his head, then faintly said, "Pa, pray." Then opening his eyes looking upward, his countenance brightened as if he saw Jesus coming, then closing his eyes, his spirit passed.
Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on his gentle breast,
There by his love o'er shaded.
Gently his soul shall rest.
Funeral services took place the following day, at 2 o'clock p.m., attended by a large circle of friends. Many bringing with them beautiful bouquets of flowers, as token of love and respect, and weaving them into wreaths placed them on the breast and around the head of the departed, thus brightening home, sweetening the air, and sheering the hearts of the bereaved. But the loveliest and dearest of all the flowers was the form of the loved one calmly resting in death. Sermon preached by the write, Text, Mark, 10 ch. part 14 verse, "Suffer little Children to come unto me, and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdom of God. Appropriate songs were sung by the friends at the church and cemetery, as we laid the mortal part of our little Andrew in the silent grave, to rest until the resurrection morn. We felt in our hearts to say, "Farewell for this present, till we meet in the bright beyond." ~ Journal, Newton, Iowa, June 21, 1877
Written by J. M. Tool
Two Infants
Born and Died: 1861 and 1862
Buried: Lot 181, owned by L.A. Woodruff
Parents: Lewis A. and Esther (Willison) Woodruff
1. Census, 1870 U.S. Census, Sherman Twp., Jasper Co., Iowa, Image 25.