My Genealogy Hound

HUGH H. WOODWORTH has always made his home in the town of Tyre, Seneca County, on the tract of land which his grandfather, Caleb Woodworth, entered from the Government many years ago. That gentleman came to this section from Johnstown, N. Y., and took possession of this tract of land when it was in its primitive state. Indians were at that time wandering over their old hunting-grounds and would often appear at the cabin of Caleb Woodworth and beg for food.

In order to reach his new home the grandfather was compelled to cut his way through the woods from Seneca Falls. He had a large family of children, and with the aid of his sons worked hard to subdue the soil, and succeeded well in this undertaking. There he and his good wife spent the remainder of their lives, and when death called them hence they were buried side by side in Traver Cemetery, not far from the old place.

Hiram Woodworth, the father of our subject, took care of his aged parents until their decease, after which he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the place and called the old homestead his own property. The maiden name of his wife was Phebe Winans, and it is supposed that she was born in the state of New Jersey. She was brought to this state by her parents when very young, and therefore had no recollection of her former home. After her marriage with Hiram Woodworth she spent the remaining years of her life on the farm where her son Hugh H. now lives. This tract consists of two hundred acres, and bears splendid improvements.

The parental family included ten children, of whom the four older members are deceased. John, another son, is the owner of a large farm located near Minneapolis, Minn., but is now engaged as a contractor in New Mexico. Charles completed his education in both the literary and law departments of the Michigan University of Ann Arbor, and is at present engaged in teaching in Kansas. George is a substantial agriculturist of Wayne County, N. Y. Helen married Horatio T. Woodworth, a distant relative, and they make their home at Battle Creek, Mich., where Mr. Woodworth is an artist of considerable note; he also owns a fine farm. Jeremiah makes his home with our subject.

The father of the above family was at one time a Jacksonian Democrat, but during the agitation of the slavery question he considered that he had reason to change his views, and thereafter affiliated with the Republicans. In early life he joined the Baptist Church, but later became a member of the Disciples Church, in the faith of which he died. He was one of the organizers of this denomination in the village of Tyre, and our subject, during the building of the church edifice, aided in hauling the lumber used in its construction. Hiram Woodworth departed this life in 1876, and his wife in 1872.

After carrying on his studies in the schools near his home, our subject entered the academy at Lyons, and afterward became a student in the schools of Seneca Falls and Waterloo. He was considered competent to teach when only eighteen years of age, and so successful was he in this vocation that he continued to follow it for twelve or fifteen years. He was engaged most of the time in the town of Tyre, although he taught some in Wayne County. During this period he spent every leisure moment in study, and although not attending any large college or university, became as well informed as many of those who were given this privilege.

Mr. Woodworth was born January 1, 1829, but did not marry until February 20, 1889, when he was joined in wedlock with Mrs. Harriet W. (Babcock) Van Buskirk, of St. Joseph County, Mich., and a daughter of John and Eliza Adelia (Munson) Babcock. This lady, however, was born in the town of Tyre and was one whom Mr. Woodworth had known for many years.

Our subject began to purchase the interests of his brothers and sisters in the home farm prior to the death of his parents, whom it was his intention and desire to care for during the remainder of their lives. Thus at the time of their demise he found himself the owner of the old place, numbering two hundred acres of finely improved land. The first building ever erected on this property was the little log cabin built by his grandfather. In later years this gave way to a more commodious frame building, which is now used as a barn. The present residence is built of cobblestones, and was erected during the year 1844.

Mr. Woodworth was not interested in politics until about the year 1856, when he was sent as a delegate to the convention, at which time the Republican party in the county was organized. Since that time he has been a warm supporter of its principles and greatly interested in its triumphs. He has of late years been a delegate to its conventions, both county and state, and has been the candidate of his party for many positions of responsibility and trust. For several years he was Clerk of the town of Tyre; also its Assessor and Inspector of Elections. He has likewise rendered efficient service as Supervisor, and, in fact, has been the incumbent of nearly every office which it has been within the power of his fellow-citizens to bestow, notwithstanding he has always had a large Democratic majority to overcome.

Mrs. Woodworth is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, worshiping with the congregation which her grandfather helped to organize many years ago.