Woodruff, Surrelda (Johnson) 1850 - 1944

WOODRUFF, JOHNSON, MITCHELL

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 1/1/2024 at 12:00:32

Clayton County Register, 20 Jan. 1944.

STRAWBERRY POINT: Strawberry Point's oldest and one of her most interesting characters, Mrs. Surrelda Woodruff, 93, died at her home here Monday.

Surrelda Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Johnson, was born near Sand Springs, Iowa, April 29, 1850. When a small child she came with her parents when they settled on a farm five miles north of Strawberry Point, near Cox Creek. In 1879 she was married to Thomas Woodruff, who died many years ago.

At the age of 12 she learned the art of weaving from her mother who was an expert weaver. The wool from the sheep raised by the Johnson family was carded by the little girl and her mother, spun into threads on an old-fashioned spindle, then woven into cloth used for clothing for the entire family and for coverlids and blankets for the beds. Mrs. Woodruff related that the first blanket she wove was taken by her uncle, William Mitchell, when he went to the Civil War, from which he never returned, having been wounded in the battle near Memphis, Tenn., which caused his death. The loom on which she wove rugs and carpets in her home here until the past few years was a handmade loom which was 135 years old when she was forced to give up her lifelong work after she was badly injured in a couple of falls. After she was not able to weave she did Red Cross work and pieced quilts. She was when younger a fine cook, having received many first prizes on her bread and cakes when the fair was held here.

A story which she enjoyed telling was of her viewing Abraham Lincoln's body after his assassination.

She had resided in this community the past 90 years and in the present home the past 61 years. A nephew, George Johnson, made his home with her for many years.

Surviving her are three sons, William of Davenport, Roy of Boston, Mass., and Elmer of Minneapolis, Minn., one grandson and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Wednesday at the Gill funeral chapel, in charge of the Congregational pastor, Rev. O'Neill. Music was by Mrs. Carrie Slagle and Mrs. Jennie Howard, accompanied by Mrs. John Knight. Burial was in the Strawberry Point cemetery.