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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
CALVIN WOODRUFF, Sheriff of Mahaska County, Iowa, is a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, born April 2, 1837, and is the son of David Woodruff, a native of Virginia, who went to Ohio with his parents, became acquainted with and married Miss Mary Barker who was born in Perry County, and afterward settled in Muskingum. To them were born thirteen children, seven now living. David Woodruff was in early life an old-line Whig, and an ardent admirer of Henry Clay, but has affiliated with the Republican party since its organization. The old people are still living in Muskingum County, Ohio, and are acceptable members of the Baptist Church. The subject of this sketch, Calvin Woodruff, was reared on a farm, receiving his education in the district schools. Oct. 1, 1861, he enlisted in Co. A, 62d Ohio Vol. Inf., as a private. The regiment was stationed at Cumberland, Ind., during the following winter. The spring of 1862 found the command at Martinsburg, and March 22 they participated in the battle of Winchester, and the engagement at Fort Republic. In June it joined Gen. McDowell at Fredericksburg, and took part in that battle. They were with McClelland in his seven days' battle before Richmond, and after his retreat were placed under the command of Gen. Peck, at Suffolk. They were a part of the expedition, under Gen. Burnside, to New Berne, N. C., and two weeks later were sent to South Carolina, and while making a charge on Ft. Waggoner Mr. Woodruff was wounded in the right hip by a minie ball. He was promoted Sergeant in June, 1863, and, by orders from the War Department, was sent home with a squad of eleven men to protect the draft, continuing on that duty four months, when he was appointed a recruiting officer. In November, 1863, he was sent to his command at Hilton Head, S. C., re-enlisted as a veteran, came home on veteran furlough, and returned to his command in West Virginia in time to take part in the expedition of Gen. Butler on the James River. In the fall of 1864 he was promoted First Lieutenant, and soon after to the Captaincy of his company. In March, 1865, the regiment joined the Army of the Potomac, and served under Gen. Grant up to the surrender of Lee. The Captain was taken prisoner about twenty minutes before Lee's surrender, by a force of rebels in Federal uniform, was sent to Annapolis. Ind., and mustered out the following June. In April, 1868, Capt Woodruff came to Oskaloosa, where he followed his trade of carpenter and joiner. In 1875 he was appointed Deputy Marshal of the city of Oskaloosa, and received the appointment of Chief Marshal in 1877, in which position he served one year. He has been identified with the Fire Department, serving the city twelve years as Foreman and three years as Chief of the Department. In November, 1885, he was elected Sheriff of this county, which office he now holds. He is a member of Phil Kearney Post No. 40, G. A. R., and has held the office of Post Commander of the same. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., and has held every official position of importance in that order. The Captain was married, Oct. 6, 1858, to Miss Louisa Foster, a daughter of William Foster, and a native of Virginia. By this union there are four living children: Emma C., at home; Calvin F., now in the employ of Wells, Fargo & Co., at Omaha, Neb.; David W., now officiating as Deputy Sheriff of this county, and Harry S., engaged in the manufacture of washing-machines in Oskaloosa. The Captain is a genial gentleman, and numbers his friends by the score. As an officer he is efficient and fearless, and is fast placing himself in the front ranks as one of Iowa's best Sheriffs.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy