His Grandfather Headbutted the Govenor

 

Daniel Woodworth

(1791 – 1869)

Daniel Woodworth was a twenty two year old private who served in Captain Holbrook’s company at Ft. Amanda. He was born in New Hampshire Dec. 27, 1791. He met and married Sally Colburn in Massachusetts and later moved the family to Tate Township in Clermont County, Oh. sometime before 1813. The 1850 shows that 3 of his children were born in New Hampshire and since Daniel was only 22 either married young or he married a widow. He was a cabinet maker by trade.

Little is known about Woodworth either before or after the war other than he was a cabinet maker by trade and that he and his family had moved to Illinois sometime before 1843. A humorous incident took place that year while the 52 year old Woodworth was living in Springfield, Illinois. Seems Daniel had a literal “run in” with the Governor of Illinois, Thomas Ford on a street in Springfield. The following is from an account found on the internet.

 A rain storm came on suddenly and caught him away from home. He started on a run, with his head down, hat drawn over his eyes, and body bent forward. It so happened that Governor Ford found himself away from home in the same shower. Throwing himself in a similar attitude, he started on a run also; but there was this difference, they were running in opposite directions, and when both were at full speed, they came together with a square butt, like a couple of sheep. Each, on the spur of the moment, thought it was intentional on the part of the other, and each assumed a belligerent attitude, but before a blow was struck, both discovered that it was an accident, and with a hearty laugh, hurried on.

 
Daniel and his family eventually settled in Sangamon County, Illinois where his wife Sally died before 1850. In 1850 Daniel and his 25 year old daughter Sarah, were living with his other daughter, 24 year old Lousia, and her husband Gershom Dorence and family in Sangamon County, Illinois. By 1860, sixty eight year old Daniel had moved to Loami, Illinois and was living with his brother-in-law W, Calburn and his family. Judging from the ages, Mrs. Calburn was Daniel's sister. W. Calburn was postmaster for Sangamon County.

Daniel lived out his life in Laomi, Illinois and died there on Jan. 5, 1869 at the age of seventy. He is buried in the Sulphur Springs Cemetery. From the town of Loami, drive south on S. Main St. (becomes Johns Creek rd) 1 mile to Sulphur Springs rd. Turn right. Continue ¼ mile. Cemetery is on the north side of the road.

GPS: N39°39'42.43”,W89°51'07.03"