My Genealogy Hound

William Woodard, farmer and Short-horn dealer, was born in Bath County, Ky., July 29, 1837. His father, Turner Woodard, was a native of Old Virginia, and born in Fauquier County, in 1808. He accompanied his parents to Kentucky during his youth, and there grew to manhood, and was married in Bath County to Marinda Mitchell, a native of Kentucky. He farmed in Bath County until 1852, and then moved to Putnam County, Ind., where he resided for six years. In 1858 he moved to St. Clair County, Mo., and in 1861 moved to Putnam County, arriving in December and settling in the neighborhood of where he now lives. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in Kentucky and Indiana, learning the carpenter’s trade in the last named State, where he engaged in manufacturing and dealing in furniture for two years. He came to Missouri with his father in 1858, and for three years made his home in St. Clair County. He preceded his father to Putnam County, Mo., in 1861, where he bought land. He engaged in mercantile pursuits at Mendota in the fall of 1863, where he sold goods about three years. In 1865 he helped build the steam saw-mill, which has been kept busy every season since. During the years 1862-64, he served a great portion of the time in the Forty-second Missouri Mounted Infantry, organized for home protection. Mr. Woodard is a very successful farmer and stock raiser, being the owner of 300 acres of land, well-cultivated, upon which he has erected substantial buildings. He first became interested in fine stock in 1882, and now has a thoroughbred herd of twenty-five cattle, at the head of which is a bright red four-year-old animal, weighing 2,200 pounds, that took the sweep-stake premium at the Unionville Fair of 1887; and has also taken other premiums. Another valuable animal is an imported and noted cow of the Cruikshank family, from which he has raised some excellent stock. In April, 1873, Mr. Woodard married Miss Laura Dickerson, daughter of David Dickerson, of Putnam County, who formerly lived in Ohio. Mrs. Woodard was born in Morgan County, Ohio, and died in Putnam County, Mo., in 1876, leaving one son, Thomas J., fifteen years of age at present. Mr. Woodard is one of the enterprising business men of his township, and is a director and stockholder in the National Bank at Unionville. He is a Master Mason, belonging to the Hartford Lodge, and is a highly respected citizen.