William Riley Woodward, born in Keokuk County, Iowa October 24, 1842, was possibly named after Riley Canaday.

He was living with his parents in Keokuk County, Iowa in 1850 and in Otoe County, Nebraska in 1860. He enlisted March 1, 1863 at Falls City, Nebraska in Company L, 2nd Regiment Nebraska Cavalry Volunteers. His pension application documentation said he was stationed about twelve miles north of Sioux City on the Missouri River (Camp 9).



Wm. S. Latta, in an 1898 affidavit, said he "was the assistant surgeon in charge of the 2nd Neb. Cav. the greater part of its period of enlistment... I have forgotten [the claimant] but his statements seem true. Scurvy and dysentery (flux as he calls it) were very prevalent on account of the water's being perfectly horrible; taken from little lagoons and holes in the beds of what in wet seasons had been running streams and when stirred up, was simply an infusion of dead grass mixed with guano of wild fowls and some of it contained sufficient alkali (soda) to raise biscuit with the adddition of acid. This latter was doubtless the cause of the scurvy together with the entire want of succulent vegetables. It was claimed at the [time] we got bacon at Ft. Ranale seven years old. I do not know that to be true but the boys thought it a good joke when they gave it to the Inidian Prisoners for they said it killed them a great deal faster than our Enfield rifles did."

Also filing affidavits were S. W. Smith (living in Rosita, Custer County, Colorado in 1898).
S. W. Simmons (living in Brownville, Nemaha County, Nebraska), added that he was cook for Mess #1, and Woodard was under Dr. Hammer's care. "Woodard came in the tent to see me the reason I recolect him so well is he thought so much of my little boy then 23 months old. we staid at [camp] 13 several days he told me he was no better when we took the march again the last of July."

The Army described William as 5' 10'', hazel eyes, auburn hair, and with fair complexion. His military record only states he developed scurvy, chronic diarrhea, and piles, and was mustered out Dec. 24, 1863.

He lived for a few weeks with his sister Cynthia "Annie" Munhall, and was in his father's household in the 1865 state census - Otoe County.

Dec. 6, 1866 he married Phoebe Jane Prudence (Jennie) Johnson, daughter of Hollis and Polly Humeston Johnson , at Eldora, Hardin County, Iowa. Hollis' affidavit for pension said he "had known William for five years prior to the marriage."

same page 492 as father-in-law Hollis Johnson and grandfather-in-law E.B. Humiston and near uncle Samuel Woodward

Tract Book 99, Nebraska land records, page 237, has him filing for the south half of the NW quarter and the north half of the SW quarter of Section 28, 8 North, 14 West [Kearney County location] on August 23, 1878. Final certificate #5432 was issued Nov 17, 1884.

1880 Newark Precinct, Kearney Co, Ne

Has Mary E, Charles H, William H, and Francis M

The 1885 Kearney County census, Lowell Township, has

William had 80 acres, with 3 in meadow and 5 in woodland, valued at $2000. He had $60 in equipment and $870 in livestock. Production value in 1884 was $700. He had 4 horses, 2 milch cows, six other cows. Four calves were dropped, and he sold 2 cows. He produced 365 pounds of butter, had 40 pigs, 19 poultry, and produced 500 dozen eggs. His 50 acres of corn produced 2200 bushel, 10 of oats gave 200 bushel, 19 of wheat gave 280 bushel, and 1/2 acre of potatoes produced 54 bushel.

In the 1886 Nebraska Gazeteer he is listed as a farmer (post office Lowell) in Kearney County.

1900 Henry - age 46- and Ella M. Hoffman -age 42- of Kenesaw, Adams County, NE affidavit said they had known Phebe for 34 years (1866) and 20 years (1880) respectively, and "for more than two years prior to their marriage". "Ella M. Hoffman is sister of Claimant"

Children of William and Jennie:

1. Mary Emily Woodward - about 1868
2. Charles H. Woodward - May 1870 (the 1900 census for Newark Township - ED 122, sheet 195A, hh # 104 - has a Charles Woodward, born May 1870 with a N.S. birthplace, parents unknown.
3. William H. Woodward - October 4, 1871 to October 24, 1949, listed in Liberty Cemetery, Kearney County, Nebraska. He is in the 1900 census for Lowell Township, hh # 59, renting a 53-acre farm. His wife Carrie E. was born December 1874 - she and her parents were born in Pennsylvania. Son Robert R. was born October 1893, and daughter Fern E. was born June 1895.



4. Francis "Frank" M. Woodward - April 1878
Frank had moved to Yuma at least by 1907. The Yuma Pioneer reported 'William Mulher sold the farm he bought of Pres Stephens to Frank Woodward for thirty-five hundred dollars, then bought the Storer relinquishments for three thousand dollars.'
Also in 1907, the Pioneer reported 'Frank Woodward took a run to Nebraska last week and it is rumored that he will return with a better half.'
In January 1907 'After purchasing three hundred acres of land, Frank Woodward returned to Minden, Nebraska Monday evening. He will return next week to build and prepare to move onto his land.'
In February 1907 'Frank Woodward is having a new shingle roof put on his building.'
"Frank Woodward has bought him a new husking peg." November 25, 1910
It's a small piece of metal or, when money was very scarce, even a big nail, fastened to a leather strap or canvas cloth that slipped onto one's fingers.
Husking pegs were important because they helped farmers that were harvesting corn by hand to strip the husks off the ears of corn. They could grab an ear with one hand and usually with one motion and with the help of the husking peg, peel the husk off with the other.

Frank homesteaded next to Cynthia in Yuma County, Colorado in 1914(west 1/4 of section 6, 3N46W, married Alice Carper (her father Andrew had a cash claim across the road west).
In 1913 Frank and Alice were charter members of the Union Sunday School at Waverly, and Frank was the first clerk of the congregation. The first minister boarded with them, as well as the Carpers. In 1930 they had Grant, 19, and Elizabeth J., 9. Oldest son Marion,21, is next on the census, with wife Edna, 23, and daughter Pauline M., 2.

This is Marion - (photo courtesy of Forrest Allen)
Marion Woodward married neighbor Elva Eyestone March 1, 1929.

Sedgwick County History.
On page 60 of Vol II, it talks about the happenings of Gamble's Store in Julesburg. "In 1937 Howard Weber was the manager. In February, 1938 Frank and Marion Woodward bought the store from Howard Weber. They were from Yuma. They were adding a radio repair shop. In February 1942, Frank was listed as proprietor of Gamble's while Marion was owner and operator of Woodward's radio service. They were moving to the building vacated by Victorian Dress and Beauty Shop on the second block of Cedar Street from the Hendricks building on West 2nd Street. The new location was the Zorn building. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Woodward sold to Mr. and Mrs. Al Schneider from Beaver, OK in October.1943."

On page 129 of Vol II it says, "Woodward's Radio Service was located at 203 Cedar Street in March, 1942. They advertised. 'Repair and save your equipment. Help win the war by conserving what you have.' In September 1943, the business was moving to the former Haynes Cleaners location, 'one door west of Anderson's drug store.' A new Philco sign had gone up at the shop in May 1951. In February 1957, He was moving into new quarters on the rear of his residence. Marion Woodward's home was at 522 West 2nd Street."

Frank and Alice lived in east Fort Morgan during the 1950's, in Julesburg in the 1960's (where their son lived) and are buried in the Yuma Cemetery.

Marion Russell of Keenesburg, CO died Friday September 8, 2006 at Denver Health Medical Center. Marion was born October 7th, 1946 in Ovid CO to Glen F. and Betty J. (Woodward) Russell.

He received his education in Julesburg, CO graduating in 1964. He was a member of the Julesburg Lions State Champions football team, and earned All-State and All-Conference honors. He earned a technical degree from Northeastern Junior College in Sterling CO in 1965.

He was united in marriage to Charyol Ann Carlholm on May 27th, 1967 in Sterling, CO. He was employed with Duke Motors in Holyoke, CO for several years before purchasing his own Gas Station and Repair shop in Paoli, CO. In 1979 he began working in the Construction Industry in the Denver Metro area and was a Project Superintendent at the time of his death.

In his youth, Marion was a Boy Scout and an entrepreneur. He had a paper route, lawn service, milk delivery route and helped his parents in their Cafe. Marion was a member of the Paoli Jaycees, Paoli town council, and Mayor Pro-tem. He also enjoyed serving as a volunteer fire fighter. He was an active Member of the Hudson area Chamber of Commerce. His hobbies included Antique Steam Engines, and his many model trains. He also enjoyed refinishing antique furniture, yard work/gardening and puttering in his garage. He cherished spending time with his family, grandchildren and friends.

He is survived by his wife Charyol of Keenesburg; his children, Glenda Russell of Aurora CO, Mindi and her husband Jeff Wolf and grandchildren Dylan and Miria Wolf all of Keenesburg, CO; one sister Helen and her husband Mitch Perry of Julesburg, CO; nephew Casey Fox of Van, TX; nieces Mary Fox of Sterling, CO, and Samantha Fox of Julesburg, CO; Aunts Davie Dean (Russell) Sevier of Mount Ayr, IA and Vivian (Graham) and her husband Lyle LeFors of Lovell, WY; as well as sister-in-law Dianna (Wilbur) Sewell and family of MI. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother C. Eugene Russell, and sister Glenda Kay Russell.

A memorial has been established in his name to the Keenesburg Volunteer Fire Department, Attn: Brad Hoff, PO Box 1, Keenesburg, CO 80643

Services will be Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at the Brighton United Methodist Church at 10:00 a.m. Graveside services will be held at 3:30 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Sterling, CO. Tabor-Rice Funeral Home of Brighton is in charge of the arrangements.


Ruby, Frank and Alice
5. Cynthia Anne Woodward - Dec 5, 1880
6. Ruby F. Woodward - April 7, 1893