General Notes

The following is from the Roberts, IL "Herald" issue of Wednesday May 5, 1920, page 1:
"Norman Harvey Woodruff was born near Ithica, New York, November 15, 1833 and died at his home in Melvin April 25, 1920, aged 86 years, 5 months and 10 days.
He was united in marriage to Alice R. Richmond June 2, 1861. The wife died June 29, 1907. Nine children were born to this union all of whom are living except George L., who died September 13, 1894. The living children are: Allie Wagner, Citurs Center, Fla.; Clayton Woodruff, Wessington, S.D.; Harvey O. Woodruff, Clarkston, Washington; Harry Woodruff, Alaska; Sadie Bear, Watseka; Nina Revell, LaHogue; Roy and Fred Woodruff of Roberts. There are 17 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Mr. Woodruff was married to Lucy P. Erwin at Paxton, May 21, 1916. He leaves besides his wife and children, two sisters and two brothers. The brothers names are Charles Woodruff, San Francisco, Cal.; and Hugh Woodruff, St. Lawrence, SD.
Mr. Woodruff has been ill about a year and was ministered to tenderly by loving hands. He died very suddenly last Sabbath evening - such was his desire. He had eaten a hearty supper and was engaged in pleasant conversation with the family when the summons came. His loved ones say that there was a laugh on his face when the spirit took its flight.
Mr. Woodruff was an Easterner and settled first in Henry county, Illinois. Some fifty-five years ago he came to Roberts - Melvin community, where by honest endeavor fair treatment of his fellows he won a host of friends. He enjoyed telling of the struggles and hardships incident to the settlement of this counry. We who live today are the inheritors of the prayers, tears, struggles and privations of the early pioneers. May their mantle fall upon our shoulders.
The funeral service was held from the M. E. Church in Roberts, Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. W. L. Barnes of Melvin preached the sermon. Rev. D. G. DuBois of the M. E. church in Roberts assisted. Interment at Lyman cemetery"

The following is from the Wessington, SD "Times Enterprise" issue of Friday May 21, 1920:
"We have just learned of the death of Norman Woodruff, one of the early pioneer residents of Rose Hill township. His son C. N. Woodruff, received the news of his death about three weeks ago. He died on April 25th having reached the age of 87 years. Mr. Woodruff came to this point in the early spring of 1882, filing a homestead and preemption on the South half of Section 11 in Rose Hill, the farm now owned by W. H. Bagley. The family left here in the early nineties, going from here to Missouri, and later back to their old home in Illilnois, in Ford County. Since then Mr. Woodruff has lived in several states, but at the time of his death he was back at the old home."

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  Recorded Events in His Life

• He has conflicting birth information of 15 November 1832 and Massachusetts, USA.

• He has conflicting birth information of 15 November 1833 and Candor, Tioga County, New York, USA.

• He appeared on the 1850 US Federal Census on 26 September 1850 in Candor, Tioga County, New York, USA.

• He appeared on the 1870 US Federal Census on 26 July 1870 in Germanville, Livingston County, Illinois, USA.

• He appeared on the 1880 US Federal Census on 1 June 1880 in Germanville Township, Livingston County, Illinois, USA.

• He appeared on the 1900 US Federal Census on 17 June 1900 in Germanville Township, Livingston County, Illinois, USA.