Person Page

     William H. Smith was born about 1853 in New York.¹ He probably married Sarah A. Millard, daughter of John Millard and Ruth A. Woodin, about 1885.^2,1
     He and his wife Sarah were living in Torrington, Litchfield Co., Connecticut, in 1900. They are listed in the census as being in a different house, but at the same address, as Sarah's brother George Millard and mother Ruth. Living with William and Sarah were boarders Edna M. Smith (age 11) and Geo. W. Smith (age 38).^2,3 They moved to New Haven, New Haven Co., Connecticut, sometime before 1910. Sarah's brother George and mother Ruth were then living with them, as was Elizabeth Hancox, a lodger.¹ They were still in New Haven in 1920, but by then only their son Donald was with them.⁴
     The conclusion that William Smith's wife Sarah was Sarah Millard is based primarily on the information in the 1910 census for those living with him. Those listed with William include his wife Sarah (age 39, born in New York), brother-in-law George Myllard (single, age 62, born in New York), and mother-in-law Ruth Myllard (widow, age 84, born in New York, mother of two children with both living in 1910). All this is consistent with William's wife Sarah being the daughter of John and Ruth (Woodin) Millard. It should be noted, however, that the 1900 census lists Sarah's birth date as November 1860. Her age is listed as 40, with 39 written above in a different style, apparently a correction added later to be consistent with the listed birth date. If she was actually born in November 1860, she could not have been the daughter of John and Ruth Millard, since their daughter Sarah was listed with them in the 1860 census, enumerated in June 1860. If, however, the originally-listed age of 40 was correct, the birth date of November 1860 must be incorrect.^1,2,5
     Sarah is listed in the 1900 and 1910 censuses as having had nine children, with only one then living, Donald (b abt 1892).^2,1

     Ira Richison Woodin was born on 1 May 1833 in Dutchess Co., New York.^2,1 He married Susan M. Campbell, daughter of James Campbell and Eliza Ayers, on 1 January 1863.² He died on 27 November 1908 in Bothell, King Co., Washington, at age 75.³ He was buried at Woodinville Memorial Cemetery in King Co., Washington.⁴
     In early 1853, he, his sister Ann and her family, and their father Milton joined a small wagon train heading west to Fort Steilacoom, on Puget Sound in Washington Territory. When they left Michigan there were just four wagons, each with three yokes of oxen. When they reached Kenosha, Wisconsin, they were joined by a small group led by William Mitchell and Samuel Holms, among others. Then, when they reached Council Bluffs, Iowa, they were joined by another group from Tennessee, led by Bennett Johns. Together, the combined groups later became known as the second contingent of the Longmire train, a large party that had left Franklin Co., Indiana, in March 1853, led by James Longmire.
     Various sources indicate that although the Longmire group crossed the Missouri River on 10 May 1853, while the combined Woodin-Mitchell-Johns group didn't cross until 3 June, the gap between the two varied as the trip went on, and there was contact between them. After a long journey across the plains, with the usual hardships of hunger, fatigue, illnesses and deaths, accidents, weather, difficult river crossings, and potential Indian attacks, the two groups were apparently together when they reached the current location of Pendleton, Oregon. The main group, which included his father Milton and sister Ann, headed north, towards the Naches Pass and an untried route through the Cascades. A smaller group of 21 people, including Ira Woodin, split from the others and took the well-known established route down the Columbia River toward Portland and the Willamette Valley.
     Ira stayed in the Willamette Valley for a few months, and while there participated in a cattle drive to California. In 1854 he rejoined his father, who had settled in Seattle. In the fall of that year they founded Woodin and Son, Seattle's first tannery, along a stream at the southwest corner of what is now Yesler Way and Third Street.²
     On 25 January 1856 an Indian named Salmon Bay Curley gave warning that an Indian attack on Seattle was imminent. It came the next day, and settlers ran to a blockhouse that had recently been built for protection. The ship Decatur arrived in Elliott Bay, providing cannon fire that kept the attackers pinned down in the woods along the shore. The Decatur also served as a safe haven for some women and children, including Ira's sister Ann Wetmore and her children. The Indians eventually retreated, looting and burning as they went. The Woodin and Son tannery was among the structures that were lost.
     Afraid of more attacks, settlers soon left the area, until just twelve families were left. The Woodins were among those who stayed. Over time they rebuilt their tannery, added a shoe-making business, and prospered.^5,6 Ira and his father Milton are listed together in King Co., Washington, in the 1860 census.⁷
     After their marriage in 1863 he and his wife Susan lived at what is now York, King Co., Washington, near his father Milton and sister Ann's family.² They are listed in the 1870 census "on or near the Cedar River" in King Co., Washington.⁸
     In 1871 they moved a few miles north, to an unpopulated area in King Co. along the Sammamish River. The area grew quickly, and is now the town of Woodinville, named after its founder Ira Woodin.² Their house served as the new town's first school, and as the first post office, with Susan as the first postmaster.² They are listed as living in Samamish, King Co., Washington, in the 1880 census⁹, and in Woodinville in the 1900 census. In 1900 a schoolteacher named Nettie Salas was boarding with them.¹⁰
     In 1896 gold was discovered in the Klondike in northwest Canada, and Ira and his son Frank were among the nearly 100,000 people who headed north to seek their fortune. They left Seattle in January 1898 on the freighter Utopia, heading for Dyea, Alaska. From there they traveled overland along the Chilkoot Trail to Sheep Camp, about three miles from Chilkoot Pass, where they waited out a severe winter storm.
     On 3 April 1898 a large avalanche at the pass took at least 60 lives, and the Woodins were among the many who helped recover the bodies buried under the snow. Also while in Sheep Camp, Frank contracted spinal meningitis. He was treated at an emergency hospital that was then being built, and after six weeks had recovered enough to resume the journey.
     The two men successfully crossed Chilkoot Pass, and continued on to Lake Lindemann at the head of the Yukon River. They built a boat to take them and their supplies 500 miles downriver to Dawson City. They continued on with a team of three dogs, first to the Forty-Mile mining district then to Seventy-Mile, where they prospected during the winter of 1898-99. While there, Ira was elected recorder for the mining district. Unfortunately, like almost all the other gold rush prospectors, they didn't strike it rich. They returned home to Woodinville in the summer of 1899.^2,11
     He and Susan had three children: Helen (b 14 December 1864), Mary (b 13 December 1867), Frank A. (b 14 January 1878).^2,12

More Information / Background

• Naches Pass
  
• Battle of Seattle (1856)
  
• Reminiscences of Seattle Washington Territory and the U. S. Sloop-of-War Decatur During the Indian War of 1855-56
  
• Woodinville, Washington
  
• Chilkoot Trail
  
• Palm Sunday Avalanche.
  

     Washington Woodin was born about 1826 in Vermont.¹ He married Emeline Morse on 22 March 1851 in Jefferson Co., Wisconsin.^2,3
     In 1850 Washington Woodin was living with his parents in Aztalan, Jefferson Co., Wisconsin, and working as a basket maker.¹ After their marriage in 1851, he and his wife Emeline probably moved with his parents to Berrien Co., Michigan.^2,3,4 They were living there in Benton Twp. in 1860, where he was a farmer. Washington's brother Wayne was living with them.³
     He and Emeline had the following known children, all born in Michigan: Estella (b abt 1851), Walter George (b abt 1854), Celinda (b abt 1856), Milton (b abt 1859).³

     Dustin Woodin was born on 6 May 1834 in Ohio.^1,2,3,4 He was married by I. S. Packard, Justice of the Peace, to Sarah E. Blake, daughter of William Blake and Caroline (?), on 14 September 1873 in Van Buren Co., Michigan.³ He died from organic heart disease on 23 May 1917 in Benton Twp., Berrien Co., Michigan, at age 83.² He was buried on 25 May 1917 in Millburg, Berrien Co., Michigan.²
     He lived in Benton Twp., Berrien Co., Michigan, his entire adult life, staying behind when his father Milton, brother Ira, and sister Ann and her family went west to Washington Territory in 1853.⁵ He is listed in Benton Twp. in the 1860 census as Duncan Woodin, living as a farm laborer with the family of Phinehas Pearl⁶, and in 1870 living with his brother Wayne, again as a farm laborer.⁷ He and his wife Sarah are listed there from 1880 to 1910. Their son Clinton and his new wife Maud were living with them in 1900, as was Will Walker, a lodger. Living with them in 1910 was Peter Frietag, a hired man.^8,9,10
     He enlisted during the Civil War as a Corporal in Company B, 12th. Michigan Infantry Regiment, on 19 October 1861. The regiment was officially mustered in on 5 March 1862. They left Michigan on 18 March for St. Louis, Missouri, then traveled by ship to Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, where they were assigned to Gen. Prentiss' division.
     On 6 and 7 April they were engaged at Pittsburg Landing in the Battle of Shiloh. The regiment suffered heavy losses, and most of Prentiss' men were captured at the end of the first day, but apparently not Dustin Woodin. What remained of the regiment moved to Bolivar, Tennessee, then to Iuka, Missouri, then to Metamora, Tennessee, seeing action at Bolivar and Metamora. From November 1862 to May 1863 they served as guards for the Mississippi Central Railroad at Middleburg, Tennessee, where they again engaged the enemy. They were sent to Vicksburg, Mississippi, in June 1863, where they stayed until the city fell, then went to Little Rock, Arkansas.
     Dustin Woodin was promoted to Sergeant on 28 December 1863, and in January 1864 the unit returned to Michigan for 30 days furlough, after which they reassembled and returned to Little Rock, arriving on 1 April. They were assigned to picket and guard duty, and were involved in several skirmishes. In October they traveled to DeVall's Bluff, Arkansas, where the regiment was split into several detachments, serving wherever needed.
     They regrouped at Camden, Arkansas, where they were mustered out on 15 February 1866. They arrived back in Michigan on 27 February, and were officially disbanded on 6 March.^11,12
     He and Sarah had four children, but names are known for only three: Clinton Degoldzer (b 4 September 1878 (the 1900 census says October 1878)), Jennie (b 14 February 1881, d 7 August 1895), Mable S. (b 11 June 1882 (the 1900 census says Mabel C., and February 1883)).^{9,13,14,15,16}

     Wayne Woodin was born about August 1837 in Ohio.^1,2,3,4,5 He was married by A. H. Smith, Justice of the Peace, to Christina Lower, daughter of Adam Lower and Mary (?), on 17 October 1875 in Hagar, Berrien Co., Michigan.⁴ They were divorced sometime between 1880 and 1899.^6,2,7,8 He died from heart disease on 29 January 1920 in Wabash, Wabash Co., Indiana.⁹ He was buried at Falls Memorial Gardens (Section E, lot 101, space 5) in Wabash Co., Indiana.⁹
     In 1853, when his father Milton, brother Ira, and sister Ann and her family went west to Washington Territory, Wayne apparently stayed behind in Benton Twp., Berrien Co., Michigan. He is listed there in the 1860 census living with his brother Washington's family, and in 1870 living with his brother Dustin.^10,11,12
     In 1880 he and his wife Christina were living in Chester, Wabash Co., Indiana.⁶ After their divorce he moved back to Benton Twp., Berrien Co., Michigan, where he is listed in the 1900 and 1910 censuses.^2,7
     He and Christina had five children, with two living in 1900, but names are known for just four: Minnie (b abt 1874, d 6 December 1876), Rodney (b abt 1876), Elizabeth (b abt 1877), and Nydia A. (b 17 April 1882, d bef 1900).^8,13,6,14

     Albert E. Woodin was born on 15 June 1838 in Ohio.^1,2,3,4 He married Augusta Yagel, daughter of Philip Yagel, on 8 August 1876 in Jefferson Co., Wisconsin.⁵ He died on 15 February 1925 at age 86.² He was buried at Okeag Cemetery in Dodge Co., Wisconsin.²
     When his parents moved from Jefferson Co., Wisconsin, to Berrien Co., Michigan, sometime before 1851, Albert apparently stayed behind. He is listed in the 1860 census in Aztalan, Jefferson Co., Wisconsin, living as a farm hand in the household of Oscar Miles.^3,6
     He served during the Civil War, first enlisting as a corporal in Co. C of the 11th Wisconsin Infantry on 26 August 1861. This unit was mustered in on 18 October 1861 and left the state on 20 November. They served as railroad guards over the winter, then went south in the spring. They were involved in skirmishes on 7 July 1862 at Bayou Cache, Arkansas, and again on 26 September and 14 January 1863. Albert was discharged for disability on 23 February 1863 due to knee problems.^7,8,9
     He enlisted again, on 19 May 1864 for 100 days, as a corporal in Co. G of the 40th Wisconsin Infantry. They left Wisconsin on 14 June and arrived in Memphis, Tennessee on 19 June, where they served as railroad guards. On 21 August they served as support during Forrest's raid against the Union forces. The unit was mustered out at Madison, Wisconsin, on 16 September 1864.^10,11
     Sometime after the war he moved to Portland, Dodge Co., Wisconsin, where he was living in 1870 with the family of Samuel Austin, and working as a laborer.¹² In 1880 he was living in Portland with his wife Augusta.¹³ He continued living there after his wife's death, and is listed there in the 1900 census.¹⁴ He later moved in with his son Durward's family, and was living with them in Shields Twp., Dodge Co., Wisconsin, in 1910¹⁵, and in Elba, Dodge Co., Wisconsin, in 1920.¹⁶
     He and Augusta had the following known children: Grasy (b abt 1877), Cloey (b abt 1879), Durward G. (b 1880, d 1961), Lenna (b November 1883), Hallie (b February 1888), Anne (b January 1890), Adair E. (b September 1892).^13,14,2

     Helen J. Woodin was born on 11 January 1843 in Jefferson Co., Wisconsin.^3,1 She married first Patrick McDermott about 1862 (based on Helen's age of 19 at her first marriage).^3,4 She married second Isaac N. Griffis, son of David Griffis and Lydia Parkhurst, on 20 April 1864 in Marshall Co., Kansas.⁵
     In early 1853 Helen's father Milton, brother Ira, and sister Ann and her family, went west by wagon train to Washington Territory. The youngest children Thomas (about 13 in 1853), Helen (10), and Chloe (3), may have traveled with the wagon train as far as Iowa. Helen and Chloe are known to have been taken in by the Joseph Langdon family, after which they never again saw their father. The Langdons were living in Polk Co., Iowa, in 1850, where the Woodin wagon train passed through in May 1853, and later moved with Helen and Chloe to Marshall Co., Kansas. Whether or not the Woodin and Langdon families knew each other before 1853 is unknown.^6,1,7,8,9 She and her sister Chloe are listed in Joseph Langdon's household, as Ellen and Cloe Langdon, in the 1860 census for Vermillion Twp., Marshall Co., Kansas.⁹
     She and her second husband Isaac lived in Blue Rapids Twp., Marshall Co., Kansas, probably from at least 1865 to 1880.^10,11,12,13 In 1895 they were living in Balderson, Marshall Co., Kansas.¹⁴ Living with them in 1870, in addition to their daughter Marietta, were Helen's daughter Florence McDermott from her first marriage, Helen's sister Chloe Woodin, and Isaac's brother Dewitt Griffis (future husband of both Chloe and Florence). Living with them in 1875 was Horace M. Griffis (age 12, born in Kansas), listed in the state census as a "helper." His relationship to Isaac is unknown.^11,12
     After her husband's death she continued living with her children Spencer, Albert, and Chloe, all of whom remained single. They were living in Blue Rapids Twp., Marshall Co., in 1900 and 1910, in Bigelow Twp., Marshall Co., in 1920, in West Branch, Marion Co., in 1925, and back in Bigelow Twp. in 1930.^15,2,16,17,4
     She and her second husband Isaac had five children: Lydia (b abt April 1865, d abt November 1865), Marietta (b abt 1866), Spencer D. (b June 1871), Albert C. (b December 1873), and Chloe E. (b March 1878).^{3,10,11,13,15}

     Chloe Woodin was born about 1850 in Wisconsin.^2,3 She married Dewitt C. Griffis, son of David Griffis and Lydia Parkhurst, in 1870 in Marshall Co., Kansas.⁴ She died in August 1885.¹
     In early 1853 Chloe's father Milton, brother Ira, and sister Ann and her family, went west by wagon train to Washington Territory. The youngest children Thomas (about 13 in 1953), Helen (10), and Chloe (3), may have traveled with the wagon train as far as Iowa. Helen and Chloe are known to have been taken in by the Joseph Langdon family, after which they never again saw their father. The Langdons were living in Polk Co., Iowa, in 1850, where the Woodin wagon train passed through in May 1853, and later moved with Helen and Chloe to Marshall Co., Kansas. Whether or not the Woodin and Langdon families knew each other before 1853 is unknown.^5,6,7,8,9 She and her sister Helen are listed in Joseph Langdon's household, as Ellen and Cloe Langdon, in the 1860 census for Vermillion Twp., Marshall Co., Kansas.⁹
     In 1870 she was living in Blue Rapids Twp., Marshall Co., Kansas, with her sister Helen and her husband Isaac Griffis. Also living with them was Isaac's brother Dewitt, Chloe's future husband.²
     In 1875 she and her husband Dewitt were living in Vermillion Twp., Marshall Co., Kansas.¹⁰ By 1880 they had moved to Clear Fork Twp., Marshall Co., Kansas. Living with them was Lillie Storman, Dewitt's widowed (or divorced) sister.³ Chloe was suffering at the time with "nervous prostration."³
     She and Dewitt had the following known children: Oscar N. (b December 1872), Sophia (b abt 1878), Clinton (b abt 1883).^3,11,12

     Thomas Woodin was born about 1840 in Ohio.² He died before 1860, in a prairie fire in Kansas.^1,3
     The evidence for listing Thomas as a son of Milton Woodin is somewhat sparse. The book Pioneers Then - And Now only mentions him once, as Tommy, and says he died in a prairie fire in Kansas. And the 1850 census listing for the family of Milton's daughter Ann and her husband Seymour Wetmore includes a Thomas Wood, age 10, born in Ohio. In 1853, when Milton went west to Washington, his youngest daughters Helen and Chloe were taken in by the Joseph Langdon family, who soon afterward moved to Marshall Co., Kansas. It seems likely that Thomas, who was just 13 at the time, was also taken in by the Langdons and moved with them to Kansas.^1,2,4

     Ann Woodin was born about 1829 in New York.² She married Seymour Wetmore on 9 August 1849 in Jefferson Co., Wisconsin.^3,1 She died before 1 August 1897.⁴ She was originally buried at their homestead in what is now York, King Co., Washington.¹ When the area became more developed, her and her husband's remains were moved to Lake View Cemetery in Seattle, King Co., Washington.¹
     In 1850 she and her husband Seymour were living next to her parents in Aztalan, Jefferson Co., Wisconsin. Her brother Thomas, age 10, was living with them.² In early 1853 they joined Ann's father Milton and brother Ira in a wagon train headed for Puget Sound in King Co., Washington Territory, arriving there in October.¹ They were living in King Co. in 1870, on or near the Cedar River⁵, and at Lake Washington in King Co. in 1880.⁶ In 1880 she was suffering from spinal disease, and was listed in the census as being "maimed, crippled, bedridden, or otherwise disabled."⁶
     She and Seymour had the following known children: Birdsey (b abt May 1853), Frank (b abt 1855), Delia (b abt 1857), Elen (b abt 1859), John (b abt 1864), Betsey (b abt 1868), Harry (b abt 1871), Mary (b abt 1874).^5,6

     Emeline Morse married Washington Woodin, son of Milton D. Woodin and Anna Melona Lawrence, on 22 March 1851 in Jefferson Co., Wisconsin.^1,2
     After their marriage in 1851, she and her husband Washington probably moved with his parents to Berrien Co., Michigan.^1,2,3 They were living there in Benton Twp. in 1860. Washington's brother Wayne was living with them.²
     She and Washington had the following known children, all born in Michigan: Estella (b abt 1851), Walter George (b abt 1854), Celinda (b abt 1856), Milton (b abt 1859).²

     Seymour Wetmore was born about 1827 (based on his age at death of 70) in New York.^2,3 He married Ann Woodin, daughter of Milton D. Woodin and Anna Melona Lawrence, on 9 August 1849 in Jefferson Co., Wisconsin.^4,1 He died from pneumonia on 1 August 1897 at Providence Hospital in King Co., Washington.² He was originally buried near his wife at their homestead in what is now York, King Co., Washington.¹ When the area became more developed, their remains were moved to Lake View Cemetery in Seattle, King Co., Washington.¹
     In 1850 Seymour Wetmore and his wife Ann were living as neighbors to Ann's parents in Aztalan, Jefferson Co., Wisconsin. Ann's brother Thomas, age 10, was living with them.³ In early 1853 they joined Ann's father Milton and brother Ira in a wagon train headed for Puget Sound in King Co., Washington Territory, arriving there in October.¹ They were living in King Co. in 1870, on or near the Cedar River⁵, and at Lake Washington in King Co. in 1880.⁶
     He and Ann had the following known children: Birdsey (b abt May 1853), Frank (b abt 1855), Delia (b abt 1857), Elen (b abt 1859), John (b abt 1864), Betsey (b abt 1868), Harry (b abt 1871), Mary (b abt 1874).^5,6

     Susan M. Campbell was born on 1 January 1848 (based on her age at death of 71 years, 1 month, 18 days) in Oregon.^3,1 She married Ira Richison Woodin, son of Milton D. Woodin and Anna Melona Lawrence, on 1 January 1863.¹ She died on 19 February 1919 in Seattle, King Co., Washington, at age 71.^3,1 She was buried at Woodinville Memorial Cemetery in King Co., Washington.⁴
     After their marriage she and her husband Ira lived at what is now York, King Co., Washington, near his father Milton and sister Ann's family.¹ They are listed in the 1870 census "on or near the Cedar River" in King Co., Washington.⁵
     In 1871 they moved a few miles north, to an unpopulated area in King Co. along the Sammamish River. The area grew quickly, and is now the town of Woodinville.¹ Their house served as the new town's first school, and as the first post office, with Susan as the first postmaster.¹ They are listed as living in Samamish, King Co., Washington, in the 1880 census⁶, and in Woodinville in the 1900 census. In 1900 a schoolteacher named Nettie Salas was boarding with them.⁷ Susan continued living in Woodinville after her husband's death, and is listed there in the 1910 census.⁸
     She and Ira had three children: Helen (b 14 December 1864), Mary (b 13 December 1867), Frank A. (b 14 January 1878).^1,2

     Sarah E. Blake was born in February 1856 (her marriage record indicates about 1854) in Illinois.^3,1 She was married by I. S. Packard, Justice of the Peace, to Dustin Woodin, son of Milton D. Woodin and Anna Melona Lawrence, on 14 September 1873 in Van Buren Co., Michigan.¹ She died on 29 June 1922 in Benton Harbor, Berrien Co., Michigan, at age 66.²
     She and her husband Dustin are listed in Benton Twp., Berrien Co., Michigan, in the censuses from 1880 to 1910. Their son Clinton and his new wife Maud were living with them in 1900, as was Will Walker, a lodger. Living with them in 1910 was Peter Frietag, a hired man.^4,3,5 She is also listed there in 1920, after her husband's death.⁶
     She and Dustin had four children, but names are known for only three: Clinton Degoldzer (b 4 September 1878 (the 1900 census says October 1878)), Jennie (b 14 February 1881, d 7 August 1895), Mable S. (b 11 June 1882 (the 1900 census says Mabel C., and February 1883)).^3,7,8,9,10

     Christina Lower was born on 18 March 1855 in Wabash Co., Indiana.^3,2 She was married first, by A. H. Smith, Justice of the Peace, to Wayne Woodin, son of Milton D. Woodin and Anna Melona Lawrence, on 17 October 1875 in Hagar, Berrien Co., Michigan.² They were divorced sometime between 1880 and 1899.^4,5,6,7 She married second Charles Blum about 1899.⁷ She died from gall bladder cancer on 12 May 1931 in Wabash, Wabash Co., Indiana, at age 76.³ She was buried at Falls Memorial Gardens (Section E, lot 101, space 4) in Wabash Co., Indiana.³
     In 1880 she and her first husband Wayne were living in Chester, Wabash Co., Indiana.⁴
     In 1900 she and her second husband Charles were living in Wabash, Wabash Co., Indiana, with Christina's son Rodney, and four lodgers.⁷ She continued living in Wabash the rest of her life, listed as a widow in the 1910-1930 censuses, with the surname Woodin. In 1920 and 1930 her widowed daughter Elizabeth was living with her.^8,9,10 She ran a boarding house, with four lodgers in 1900, two in 1910, five in 1920, and five in 1930.^7,8,9,10
     She and her first husband Wayne had five children, with two living in 1900, but names are known for just four: Minnie (b abt 1874, d 6 December 1876), Rodney (b abt 1876), Elizabeth (b abt 1877), and Nydia A. (b 17 April 1882, d bef 1900).^7,11,4,12