From:
Biographical Record of Ogle Co." by S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, IL, 1899, pg. 26.
John B. Woodcock, a well-known and prominent agriculturist, residing on section 33, Marion township, has for over fifty-four years been connected with the history of Ogle county and few, if any, have done more for its upbuilding. He has been a champion of every movement designed to promote the general welfare, a supporter of every enterprise of the public good, and has materially aided in the advancement of all social, industrial, educational and moral interests.
Mr. Woodcock is a native of Canada, born near Prescott, Ontario on the St. Lawrence river, October 1, 1823, and belongs to quite an honored and distinguished family, which was founded in New England soon after the arrival of the Mayflower. His ancestors were originally from England and for several generations resided in the United States. His great-grandfather on the paternal side took up arms against the mother country I the Revolutionary war, and for three years fought for the freedom of the colonies. One of his sons was also in the same struggle. The grandfather, Jonathan Woodcock, was a native of Connecticut, but about 1790 removed to Canada, making his way through the dense forests with an ox team for about four hundred miles, it being a most tedious and remarkable trip. In the midst of the wilderness he hewed out a farm and there made his home until called from his life, at the age of fifty-five years. His wife lived to the advanced age of ninety-one years and died in Marion township, Ogle county, Illinois.
Freeman Woodcock, the father of our subject, was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, March 12, 1802, and was there reared amid pioneer scenes. He married Miss Elizabeth Bass, also a native of Canada, who was born in Ontario, October 14, 1800, and was a daughter of John Bass, whose early home was in Vermont. In Canada, Freeman Woodcock carried on business along various lines, being engaged in farming and merchandising, and also the manufacture of furniture, boots and shoes. In the spring of 1844 we find him and his family en route for Illinois, joining our subject in Ogle county. In Nashua township they purchased about five hundred acres of partially improved land, but after operating it five years sold the place and in 1850 bought two hundred acres of sections 27, 31 and 32, Marion township, on which our subject now resides. Here a flouring mill, propelled by water power, had previously been built on Stillman creek, and this the father conducted until it 3was destroyed by ice in the spring of 1857. It was rebuilt, however, the same season, but soon proved unprofitable and the building was moved away and used for other purposes. With the mill Mr. Woodcock purchased about three thousand acres of land, and in connection with milling engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was one of the most prominent men of his township and was often chosen to positions of honor and trust. He died on the homestead in Marion township, October 11, 1860, and his wife passed away November 15, 1870. They were earnest and consistent Christian people, hold a membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.
Their family consisted of three sons and two daughters. Lucy, the eldest married T.G. Anderson, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and she died in Lafayette township, Ogle county, leaving three daughters and one son. John B. our subject is the next in order of birth. Albert was a man of superior attainments, who graduated at Union College, New York. He then studied law, was admitted to the bar and engaged in practice until elected treasurer of Ogle county for a term of two years. Later he was elected county clerk and for sixteen years held the latter office. In 1862 he enlisted in the Ninety-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, was elected captain of this company and was subsequently promoted to major, being mustered out as such at the close of the war. He then resumed the duties of county clerk, was afterwards elected county judge for a term of two years, and was appointed internal revenue collector of the district, holding that position until the consolidation of the districts in 1883. President Arthur appointed him consul to Sicily, and he held that responsible post for four years, during which time he resided at Catania, at the base of Mt. Etna. On his return home he served as land commissioner for two years for the U.P.R.R. Co. He made two trips to California and finally settled in Los Angeles, where he died in 1894. He was three times married and by the first wife had two children. His last wife still survives him. Alanson, the next of the family, is engaged in farming near Fort Scott, Bourbon county, Kansas. Sarah, the widow of Rev. A. G. Smith, resides in Byron township, Ogle county.
During his youth John B. Woodcock attended the academy at Governeur, St. Lawrence county, New York, and after coming to Illinois, at the age of eighteen years, he attended the Mt. Morris Academy. He arrived here in September, 1844, and for several years assisted his father in the work of the farm and mill. As deputy in his brother’s office he discharged the duties of county clerk when the latter was at the front during the Civil war, and continued to fill that position for five years, during which time he resided in Oregon. Later he used to assist in the office for five or six months out of the year. On his father’s death he succeeded to the old homestead, and has since given the greater part of his time and attention to its management, with results which cannot fail to be satisfactory. He added to his farm unt8il he had three hundred acres of valuable land, which he placed under a high state of cultivation, but has since given some of this property to his children.
On the 15th of May, 1848, in Lafayette township, Mr. Woodcock was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Martin, who was born in Ontario, Canada, September 15, 1829, a daughter of Richard and Belinda artin who settled in the southern part of the county in 1838. Of the six children born to this union, four are now living, namely: Ella E., Water S., Antoinette and John D., all at home. They have received fair ducations, attending the local schools and those at Byron and Oregon.
Mr. Woodcock cast his first vote for Zachary Taylor in 1848, in 1856 supported John C. Fremont, and has since been an uncompromising Republican. He has filled a number of local offices, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. For many years he and his wife have been faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his parents also belonged and socially he is connected with the Oregon lodge, A.&A.M. Those who know them best are numbered among their warmest friends, and no citizens of the community are more honored or highly respected.
Transcribed by Betsy E. Tolstedt