My Genealogy Hound

Duty G. Woodruff, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Washington County, Ohio, May 27, 1825, and is a son of Isaac Woodruff, who was born in New Jersey in 1786. He was one of the early settlers in Washington County, to which he accompanied his father, Abner Woodruff, who spent his last days there. Isaac Woodruff was united in marriage to Margaret Green, a native of Connecticut, and after his marriage lived until his death upon a farm he had purchased previously. He was a prominent man in his county, served as county commissioner, and was justice of the peace for over twenty-five years. Duty G. grew to manhood in his native county upon his father’s farm, receiving his education at the common schools of the county, and completing same at an academy. At the age of eighteen he began to teach in Washington County, and in 1852 went west as far as Illinois, where he lived four years, teaching school during two winter seasons. In the spring of 1857 he went to Iowa, and spent some time in Keokuk, and Appanoose County, until the spring of 1861. August 9, of that year, he enlisted in the Seventh Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, Company A, and served until his discharge, October 11, 1864, at St. Louis, Mo. Among some of the important engagements in which he participated are Lone Jack, Mo., and Prairie Grove and Little Rock, Ark., where he was present at all the skirmishes in which his regiment took part. While at Little Rock he served on detached duty as hospital nurse for some time. After his discharge he lived in Appanoose County; Iowa, about four years, operating a saw and grist-mill in which he had bought a one-half interest before joining the army. March 12, 1867, he married Miss Nancy C. Cooley, who was born near Ottumwa, Iowa, and reared in Appanoose County. In 1869 Mr. Woodruff moved to Putnam County, Mo., where he engaged in the mill business until 1872, then going to Kansas. Upon arriving in that State he pre-empted land in Butler County, and engaged in farming until the fall of 1881, when he sold his property and returned to Putnam County. There he at first located near the mill he had once owned, and in March, 1886, moved upon his present farm, where he has since been devoted to farming and stock raising. He owns 260 acres of land, 140 being in the home place, ninety of which are well improved and cultivated. He lives in a comfortable house, which is accompanied by good outbuildings and a fine orchard. Mr. Woodruff has not enjoyed good health since the war, as the exposure at that time developed erysipelas, from which he has lost the use of one eye. He is a man who is always interested in educational projects and has been a member of the school board for about seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff have been blessed with five children, named as follows: Initia, Charley E., John B., Harry and Daisy.