Joseph Woodland Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 446-449

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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JOSEPH WOODLAND. Bailey's lake, in Woodland township, Clark county, 
about eight miles north of the city of Clark, has for many years been 
the scene of old settlers picnics and reunions, and a more beautiful 
spot than this little lake would be difficult to find. Its form is 
almost circular, and a growth of cottonwood, ash and willow fringes the 
banks. The gravel beach and fine boating, make the lake the most 
popular resort in Clark county. To the north of the lake and about a 
fourth of a mile distant is the home of Joseph Woodland, the gentleman 
to whom this review is devoted and of whom a portrait is presented on 
another page. He and John Bailey are the oldest settlers in Clark 
county, and our subject resides on section 25, his land extending to 
the lake shore. With his sons he carries on an extensive farm, raising 
cattle, horses and small grains. 

Joseph Woodland was born in Dorsetshire, England, October 11, 1835, and 
was the eldest child born of Robert and Mary (Deeffey) Woodland. With 
his aunt he came to the United States at the age of fourteen years, and 
for three years resided with his uncle in Wisconsin. He began to rely 
upon his own -resources at the age of seventeen years and worked at 
farming in Iowa. He rented land in Cerro Gordo county, in 1859, and 
began farming for himself. In 1862 he enlisted in Company B. Thirty-
second Iowa Volunteer Infantry. His first engagement was in the rear of 
Fort Columbia, Tennessee, then followed Iron Mountain, Missouri, and 
under A. J. Smith, he joined in the Red River expedition, then 
Forrest's raid in Mississippi, the battle of Nashville, siege of Mobile 
Bay, Spanish Fort, and Fort Blakley. Before the war closed our subject 
was promoted to the rank of sergeant, but was mustered out August 26, 
1865, before receiving his commission. He went to Mower county, 
Minnesota, in 1867, and from thence to Floyd county, Iowa. In company 
with John Bailey, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this 
volume, our subject went to Dakota in 1878. Lake Kampeska, in Codington 
county, was their first stopping place, and from there they pushed on 
to what is now known as Bailey's Lake. After choosing their land they 
went to Garey and filed their claims, June 27, which date is observed 
by the pioneers of Clark county, by holding annually an old settlers' 
picnic at Bailey's Lake. Our subject had nothing upon which to depend 
for a livelihood when he settled in the new home, and as he could not 
begin the cultivation of his land, he and his sons engaged in trapping, 
and met with success. Foxes, wolves, mink, muskrats, badgers, and 
skunks were game for their traps. Fox hides sold for one dollar and a 
half, and it was not unusual to find six to eight in the traps in the 
morning. Deer, antelope, elk, geese, and ducks fell prey to the rifle, 
and meat was never lacking. During the winter of 1880-81 our subject 
endured hardships to which he considers the life of a soldier as 
nothing in comparison, and many times during the winter months he has 
made trips afoot with furs to Kampeska, returning through the deep snow 
laden with provisions. The coffee mill was kept going to provide food 
for the family, but this like other laborious tasks are recounted with 
a pleasurable feeling of victory over hardships which at that time were 
of the most discouraging nature. Civilization became more manifest in 
the spring of 1882, when a post office was established in the house of 
our subject, known as Julian Post Office, and the first school house of 
Clark county was erected by our subject and Mr. Bailey. 

By return labor our subject also had some land broken and he finally 
secured an ox team and began farming. While trapping he at one time 
hired a team and took seventy dollars worth of furs to market. His 
success has been by dint of his own efforts and he is now pleasantly 
situated, a fitting reward for a well spent life. 

Mr. Woodland was married in 1861 to Miss Amanda Billings. Two children 
were born of this union. Our subject was married a second time, in 
1879, Miss Mary J. Wright becoming his wife. Ten children were born of 
the second union. 

When Clark county was organized our subject was chosen sheriff and 
discharged the duties of his position faithfully and to the 
satisfaction of the entire community, since which time he has been 
active in matters of local import. In political faith he is a 
Republican, favors state control, and opposes equal suffrage. He is a 
member of the G. A. R. It is needless to comment on the life of this 
gentleman, the people among whom he has lived so many years are 
thoroughly acquainted with his characteristic virtues.