Painesville Telegraph
May 15, 1884, p. 3

OBITUARY

After a lingering illness of many weeks, Harvey Woodworth, one of our old and respected citizens, died at his late residence east of town, at four o'clock last Wednesday afternoon. The blow, although expected, yet fell with crushing weight on the hearts of many. The funeral services were held from the old homestead on Friday afternoon, May 9, at 2 o'clock, Rev. W.L. Davidson officiating. A very large company of relatives and friends were in attendance. The music which was exceptionally fine, was furnished by a choir from Madison. The daughter of the deceased accompanying them on the piano, all of which had been definitely arranged before deceased lost consciousness.

In the course of his remarks, Rev. Mr. Davidson gave expression to the following facts in reference to the life of the departed which will be of interest to all readers of the Telegraph:

Harvey Woodworth was born in Bolton, New York, August 10th, 1804. He was one of a family of fourteen children, seven boys and seven girls, all of whom lived to raise families. In those early days Ohio was looked upon as the "far west," and none but daring pioneers ventured into its unbroken forests. James Woodworth was a man of this type, and full of faith in the possibilities of the new State towards which many eyes were being turned, he with his family of sturdy sons, and brave daughters, set their faces towards the West. The journey was tedious and laborious, but at length the goal of their desire was reached, and on the morning of the 25th of January, 1820, young Harvey, at the age of sixteen, found himself in the midst of the forests white with the winters snow, where now stands the town of Unionville. Here for six years he wrought most diligently, and laid the foundation of those sterling qualities of manhood which ever since have earned for him the respect and the esteem of all with whom he came in contact. In 1826 he was married to Sarah Kelsey, his now bereaved and stricken wife. Their home for six years thereafter was made at Madison. The eye of the youthful and aspiring farmer was constantly on the lookout for a place which he might call his own. At last it lighted on this ridge, and in 1832, fifty-two years ago, in the full faith of better days to come, he broke ground on the farm which has for these years been identified with his name. At this early day the country was wild, neighbors were scarce, Painesville was but a village, and Lake county had not been organized. Time went by full of hard, earnest work, forests were felled, settlers multiplied, Painesville developed into an important town, and the county was in 1840 organized. At the second election ever held in Lake county the deceased was chosen Treasurer, and in those good old days of comparatively pure politics, the election to an office of this kind was a compliment to a man. Integrity and ability were then demanded of all aspirants to positions of public trust. So faithfully and acceptably did he discharge the duties of the office, that he was reelected a second term, and increased his fame as a faithful and painstaking official. During the years that followed he was identified with much of the public building about Painesville. He made and laid the brick for the court house, he was connected prominently in the work of erecting the high school building, as well as some of the prominent business blocks which still stand to speak of his honest work. During the war the deceased was a staunch friend of the Union, and his good deeds during these dark days are known to all. In 1876, he was again called to public life, and for the third time was intrusted with the finances of the county. It was during this year that he and his faithful wife reached the fiftieth mile stone in the journey of married life, and right royally did their many friends remember them on that occasion. It was also during this year, and the one following, that a new impetus was given to the lagging work of constructing the soldiers monument, by the princely gift of $2,000, made by the deceased. Of this act he often spoke, not to price what he had done, but simply to express thankfulness that he had part in so good a work, in lifting a monument that for coming years, should speak of the bravely of those who died to save the Union. Retiring again from public life, gray with years and covered with honors, he gave himself to the duties of the farm. He had a constitution of iron, an indomitable will, and a nervous system that knew no shattering. But old age at last laid its withering touch upon his physical powers. The wheels of life began to creak. Long and bravely did he battle with his last enemy, but Death at last conquered, and now that the clay of him you knew and loved rests yonder in the casket, and his soul has gone to him who gave it. His wife and four children survive him. Five children have passed on before him. Of the fourteen children of his father's family but one remains, L.C. Woodworth of North Madison, who is among the company of mourners to-day. One by one they have gone, the circle has narrowed, and Harvey Woodworth found more in heaven than he left o earth.

The speaker also, in confident words, referred to the triumphant death of Mr. Woodworth, and his public confession of Christ. The body was placed in the vault to await interment. The soldiers monument will be draped for thirty days in memory of the departed.