Sarah Raesbeck Woodin 1831-1908

Who is Sarah Raesbeck Woodin? According to the photo she is “Dad’s Mother.” This photograph is one on many from the Wilma Woodin Collection. Wilma Woodin Morey, 1922-2016, was my mother’s cousin or my first cousin once removed. So, “Dad’s Mother” would be the mother of Martin Luther Woodin, 1873-1931, or the wife of Abel Woodin, 1827-1887.

With the use of online computer digital images, I was no closer to identifying Sarah than the paper copies I received in the early 1990s. Maureen Taylor, The PhotoDetective,  tells me that every photograph wants to tell me a story. So, Sarah what is your story? What records are now digitized that Wilma did not have access to years ago?

Sarah Giles was baptized 2 November 1831 in Bromsgrove, Worcester, England according to the Family History Library Film Number 321128. The index for the baptism date is 1831 and several census records agree. The 1841 and 1851 English Census records approximate 1832. So, when the quarantine is over, this will need to be verified (May 2020). Her father is listed as James Giles; her mother is listed as Mary Giles. The 1861 English Census reads that Mary’s father is Richard Lewis.

Sarah Giles married Abel Woodin on 9 June 1851 in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England. According to digital records, the family crossed the Atlantic in 1880. Abel died 1887 and was buried in LaSalle County, Illinois. Sarah married a second time to John Raisbeck on 17 September 1890 in Grundy County, Illinois, Illinois Marriages FHL film 001415756. View the 1900 United States Federal Census, John, Sarah and Thomas were enumerated in Bureau County, Illinois. Thomas was born in 1881 in Illinois. Thomas’ obituary reads that he was born in Braceville, Grundy County. At this time, my further research reveals that Elizabeth Wilson was the mother of Thomas and Rachael Raisbeck. Sarah was still married to Abel Woodin in 1881. Family papers reveal Sarah’s death date as 1908, as of May 2020 I am unable to find an obituary or any document.

For me, the photo question has been answered, Sarah was born Giles, married first time Abel Woodin, married second time John Raisbeck.

My connection, Sarah Giles was the mother-in-law of my great aunt, Eugenie Luella COUCH 1878-1959. See my tree, Roots Digger (Under Construction), on Ancestry.com for the source citations; or, see my tree, Roots Digger 2020, on MyHeritage.com.

Thank you Wilma for your many, many hours putting together this family for future generations!

Sunday's Obituary - Shuler, J. N. (1831-1902)

-->

Streator Daily Free Press. Streator, Illinois

VOL. XXII – NO. 6700 Saturday, October 11, 1902 pg 1

IN OTTAWA 66 YEARS

Ottawa’s Oldest Citizen Arrived on October 10, 1836.

  Many of the older citizens of Ottawa have been here for a long term of years, but none so long as our fellow townsman, Mr. J.N. Shuler. Sixty-six years ago today he came to Ottawa with his father’s family from near Harrisburg, Pa. They came by boat down the Ohio and up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to LaSalle. From there the journey was by wagon to Ottawa. Says the Rep. Times.

  At the time of the arrival of Mr. Shuler the inhabitants of Ottawa were not very numerous. The houses on this side of the Illinois numbered only about a dozen and on the south side perhaps double that number. The business was all conducted on the south side, and at the time $18 was the price of a barrel of flour. On this side of the river the old barracks and log jail were situated at the site of the Fox River Hotel; the Mansion House – for years the leading hotel – was just being completed, and Mr. Shuler and his folks stopped there until the completion of their own home. The inhabitants all told numbered not more than 100.

  Even though many people feel that Ottawa has not developed nearly fast enough, there certainly have been many changes and much advancement during the period of Mr. Shuler’s citizenship.