C. A. WOODRUFF.

Pg 514

         C. A. Woodruff, who is a farmer and also a real-estate dealer of Columbus Junction, may safely be designated as one of the prosperous men of Louisa county. He was born in this county December 25, 1856, a son of David and Mary A. (Turner) Woodruff, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They came to Louisa county, Iowa, in 1851 and located upon a farm. The father is still living and has arrived at the age of eighty-three years, the mother having passed away in 1903. In their family were eight children four of whom survive.

Pg 515

         After gaining his preliminary education in the public schools Mr. Woodruff of this review continued to assist his father in the work of the farm and thus became thoroughly acquainted with the various details of agriculture and stock-raising. Upon reaching his majority he rented land on his own account and five years later purchased ninety-four acres in Columbus City township, which was the foundation of his present farm, comprising three hundred and fifty acres. He has never spared any pains in order to secure the best results from his work and has made use of the most approved modern methods. He has also made many substantial improvements, thus adding greatly to the value of the farm. Later he purchased sixty acres adjoining the city limits where the family now reside. In addition to farming he is engaged in the mercantile business, having established a lumberyard at Columbus Junction in 1909. He also handles coal, cement and lime and is at the head of a thriving enterprise that gives promise of substantial development.

         In 1880 Mr. Woodruff was married to Miss Mary Ogier, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Isaiah and Emeline (Nixon) Ogier, both of whom were natives of the Buckeye state. Her parents settled in Louisa county, Iowa, and here passed the remainder of their days. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff, namely: Anna, who married L. L. Ballentine, of Lincoln, Nebraska; Mable, who died at the age of seventeen years; Alice, now Mrs. A. A. Ballentine, a resident of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Grace, who is the wife of John Hanpt, of West Liberty; Everett, Claire, Myra, Almond, and Max R.

         Mr. Woodruff and his estimable wife are members of the Baptist church and are active workers in its behalf. Politically he is in hearty sympathy with the republican party. Always earnest and efficient in his undertakings, he has met with more than an ordinary measure of success and has demonstrated the possibilities that await young men who are willing to labor and if necessary to deny themselves luxuries early in their efforts, in order to possess a competence later.