This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/GQXBAIB/1.48 Message Board Post: Found this posted somewhere by a Deborah Brownfield Stanley originally; Posted in Decatur County Journal May 19, 1898 Iowa James W. Woodmansee died Monday morning, about 9 o'clock at the residence of his son, John Woodmansee, in this city, aged 81 years, 4 months, and 15 days. Though a man endowed with a strong constitution he had suffered the extremity of ill health for many months. He is survived by six children, Mrs. Ann Millsap of Hamilton County, Kansas; John Woodmansee of Leon, Mrs. Mary McLaughlin of Decatur Towmship, Reuben S., of Indianola, George of Mt. Ayr, and Mrs. Susan Grayson of Ringgold County. Mr. Woodmansee was born in Clermont County, Ohio, December 31, 1816, the youngest of six children of James and Agnes (Hammer)Woodmansee, natives of Pennsylvania and pioneers of Ohio. In 1820 they moved to Jackson County, Indiana, where the mother died in 1829 and the father in 1847. The deceased was married October 29, 1835 to miss Rachel Hammer, who was born November 14, 1819 in Jackson County, Indiana. In 1849, he came to Iowa and entered 160 acres of land on section 31, Decatur Township and built a house 18x30. In March of the following year he occupied the house with his family and thus became the first permanent settler in Decatur Township. In 1853 he built a grist mill and as it was the only one in the section of the state, it was patronized by settlers within a radius of fifty miles. The deceased was an industrious and frugal citizen and had accumulated considerable property during his life time. He was a good neighbor and noted for his honesty. His departure has left us the example of a well spent life and a good name. The funeral exercises were conducted at the residence yesterday forenoon at 10 o'clock by Elder Stevens, after which interment occurred in Woodmansee Cemeteyr, Decatur Township. Hope maybe that helps, anyone got any idea who James( who married Abigail Hammer) father was? Carrie