Irons - Woodfill Connection
My research includes an Irons family that has resided in Hendricks County, Indiana for over a century. Included in the files of Ella Mumford Irons Miles is a letter dated 28 Apr 1861 from one J. R. Woodfill to a "Bro John". I could not determine why a letter from someone named Woodfill was in her file. However, a little bit of research and more than a little random genealogical kindness of strangers, I found a hitherto "lost" member of the Irons family and a connection to the Woodfill family. As the letter itself is a fascinating piece of American history, I thought that others (especially others researching the Woodfill and Irons lines) would find an online copy to be of interest. I provide the following for context.
Susan Ann Irons was born about 1827, somewhere in Indiana, presumably Hendricks County, to Thomas Irons and Sarah Franks Irons. (Her mother's name was possibly Sarah Frakes.) Her siblings include Thomas J., William W. (Ella's father), Sarah Jane, and Mary Ellen. Susan Ann died in 19 Dec 1876 in Missouri.
Jared Ryker Woodfill was born 8 Dec 1827 in Jefferson County, IN to Andrew Woodfill and Mary Seyborn Ryker Woodfill. Jared Ryker Woodfill married 3 times. On 14 Oct 1852 in Jefferson County, IN, he married Melinda M. Storm. On 27 Jun 1854 at Belleville, Hendricks County, IN, he married Susan Ann Irons. On 5 Nov 1876, he married Martha Keziah Chastain.
All of Jared's children appear to have been born from his union with Susan Ann Irons. They include: Mary M. (b.Abt 1857-Indiana; d.Bef 1927; sp: Joseph McKinley); John Irons (b.15 Nov 1858-Gentry County, MO; d.9 Jul 1932-Aurora, Lawrence County, MO; sp: Hannah Margaret Kingery; m.25 Mar 1877); Jared Ryker Jr. (b.15 Aug 1866-Columbus, IN; d.9 May 1926-Aurora, Lawrence County, MO; sp: Barbara C. Martin; m.6 Jan 1895); Susan A. (b.Abt 1869-Indiana; d.Bef 1927; sp: Albert A. Menday); Margaret (d.Infant); Daniel (d.Infant); Sarah (d. bef 1927); and Thomas (d.Bef 1927).
Jared Ryker appears to have led a full and exciting life. After receiving his Masters from Wabash South Hanover College, he served as principal at Belleville Academy (where he undoubtedly met Susan) and then Edinburg High School. Durint the Civil War, he was taken prisoner during the battle of Lexington TX was taken prisoner. During 1872-1873, he served as superintendent of schools for Peirce City, MO and then worked as a railroad agent and telegraph operator. After moving to Lawrence County, MO. Helped establish and was elected president of a college at Mount Vernon, MO. He served as justice of the peace in Lawrence County and as agent for Lombard Investment Company, and managed the Woodfill Mining Company.
Jared Ryker Woodfill died 23 Jan 1901 in Aurora, Lawrence County, MO.
But we still have a mystery though don't we? Who is Bro John . . . ?
For more information on the Woodfill and related families, see:
Genealogy And History Of The Woodfills
Ancestry of Samuel Ryker, Jr. (1806-1843)
[Mirror]
Banta~Ryker Family Home Page
Descendants of Hendrick Matthyse Smock
Conover Family Genealogy
The Move Westward
Civil war letters from cousins Daniel M. Woodfill and Samuel Gregg Woodfill.
Miles Family home page
"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. He may as well concern himself with his shadow on the wall." - SELF-RELIANCE, Ralph Waldo Emerson
