Surnames: Woodward, Lester

----Source: NEILLSVILLE TIMES (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 08/06/1908

Woodward, William F. #2 (13 NOV 1847 - 4 AUG 1908)

William F. Woodward died Tuesday afternoon at his home in this city (Neillsville, Clark Co., Wis.) after an illness of several weeks duration, a stroke of paralysis being the direct cause of his demise. He had been a resident of the city for nearly 30 years. He came here when Neillsville was a straggling village and watched its growth to a pretentious city. He was a great lover of children and the young men and women who have grown up in the city were all known to him. He was born in New York State Nov. 13, 1847. Little is know of his boyhood except that he enlisted in the army by making a misstatement of his age that he might bear arms in defense of the union. At the close of the war he came west and settled at Ottawa, Ill.

On April 23, 1879, he was united in marriage to Francis Lester at Pleasant Prairie, Wis., and came to Neillsville to reside. For two years he was clerk in the O’Neill house, but later accepted the position as janitor at the courthouse, which position he held continuously for 25 years. In January 1907 he opened up an office to properly care for his real estate and loan business. He was an Odd Fellow, a K. of P., a charter member of the local M.W.A. camp and also a United Workman.

Mr. Woodward was a man of high integrity and his word was a token of unfailing fulfillment. He was endowed with a wonderful memory. In all his business dealing he was square and honorable, and the high esteem in which he was held in the business world was metited in the fullest sense.

Mr. Woodward was the father of two children, Mayme and Lester, who remain to comfort the bereaved wife. Funeral services will be held this evening (Wednesday) at the home at 8 o’clock. Rev. Risser will officiate. At midnight the remains will be taken to Pleasant Prairie for interment.