My Genealogy Hound

CLINTON A. WOODRUFF. American history has a new chapter in its war record, for in the closing years of the nineteenth century the supremacy of American arms was established in the West Indies and in the Philippines, and one of the old powers of Europe and the insurgents of the Orient had to acknowledge the supremacy of the progress, might and civilization of the great republic of the new world. Among those who fought to sustain the dignity of the stars and stripes in the Philippines, was numbered Clinton A. Woodruff, who is now capably serving as clerk of the district court in Woodson county.

He was born in this county, August 29, 1874, a son of Abraham T. Woodruff, one of the well known and prominent farmers of the community. He came to Woodson County in 1869, locating in Center township, on section thirty, township twenty-five, range sixteen, where he has since resided. In addition to agricultural pursuits he has also followed carpentering. He came to the West from Paulding, Ohio, his birth having occurred in that state in 1833. He acquired a meager education, served an apprenticeship to the carpenter’s trade and for several years was engaged on the construction of the Ohio state canal as a mechanic. He was married in Ohio to Miss Sarah A. Kretzsinger, of Pennsylvania-German stock, and in 1869, he came across the country to Kansas with his family. There are nine children: Charles H., a resident of Columbus, Ohio; John F., of Kendalville, Indiana; Mary J., wife of J. Ragle, of Iola, Kansas; James P., of Woodson County; Albert, of Geneva, Kansas; Will A., also of Iola; Clinton A.; Hattie M., and Frank.

Reared in his native county, Clinton A. Woodruff attended the common schools and in 1894 entered the Kansas State Normal, where he spent nearly two years. He had intended to engage in teaching, but circumstances caused him to change his plans. In May, 1898, he enlisted in Leroy, Kansas, as a member of Company E, Twentieth Kansas Volunteers, for service in the Spanish American war. The regiment went into camp at Topeka, and thence was ordered to San Francisco, where it remained for several months, leaving port in October for the Philippines and arriving at Manilla Bay on the 30th of November, the voyage being made on the Indiana. Mr. Woodruff participated in all the engagements with his command from the time of the outbreak of the trouble on the 4th of February until the last engagement of the regiment at San Fernando. The troops were then ordered back to Manilla about the 26th of June, and on board the transport Tartar, returned to San Francisco, by way of Hong Kong and Yokahama. In October the Tartar reached the Golden Gate, and on the 2d of November the Twentieth arrived in Topeka to there meet with a noted reception. Mr. Woodruff was honorably discharged at San Francisco, and arrived at home on the 3d of November, 1899.

He devoted his time to the work of the farm until the 25th of June, 1900, when he was nominated for the position of clerk of the district court, and being elected by a handsome majority of three hundred and eighteen, he entered upon his duties January 14, 1901, so that he is the present incumbent. He is a young man of sterling worth, reliable, faithful and popular, and will no doubt prove a most efficient officer.