Woodman Hardware: When Russell was retail leader

There was a time, more than a century ago, when Lucas County's largest retail business --- the Woodman hardware, furniture and undertaking operation --- was headquartered on the north side of Russell's main street with a substantial branch store that filled the Dewey Block on the southeast corner of Chariton's square. Nothing elsewhere in the county at the time could match it.

The operation had been built single handed by by Alfred J. Woodman (left), who arrived in Russell --- then about six years old --- during 1872, when he was 21. Born Aug. 23, 1851, in Somerset County, Maine, A.J. built a modest frame building on the north side of the square, stocked it with hardware and opened for business on May 25 of the next year. 

Once able to support himself, he married Alice Butts, they had six children and he continued at the helm of the operation until 1926, when he died. The original plan had been for the oldest son, Edward, to carry the business forward, but he had other plans. As a result the business passed to son John H. "Johnny" Woodman, who continued to operate it with his wife, Marie, until his own death during 1967.

Several of us still alive and roaming around remember Johnny, Marie and their daughter, Mary. All of the Woodman landmarks still are standing --- the store buildings in both Russell and Chariton, the Woodman home (later funeral home, too) in southwest Russell and Russell First Baptist Church, of which the Woodmans were mainstays. But there are no more Woodmans in Lucas County.

That's a ledger from Woodman Hardware, commencing in 1880, above --- now part of the Lucas County Historical Society collection. Some years before Marie Woodman's 1997 death, she passed several family-related items on to the historical society (there was no Russell museum at the time), including business records --- and the original blueprints for one part of the Russell store, the Woodman home and First Baptist Church.

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When A.J. Woodman decided to celebrate his 30th anniversary in business on Monday, May 25, 1903, it was front-page news in The Chariton Herald of May 28, in part because Alfred had developed a friendly relationship with Samuel M. Greene, the young pup (under 30) who was its editor and publisher --- and invited him to the celebratory banquet. The editor of The Russell Union was there, too, but issues of that newspaper have not survived.

Here's what Sam published in two full columns of Page 1 of his Herald under the headline, "30th Year in Business: A.J. Woodman of Russell Celebrates the Event With His Friends."

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An event unique in the business world is the celebration held by A.J. Woodman, the merchant, at his big store in Russell this week. On last Monday Mr. Woodman began his thirtieth year in the same line of business in Russell, and in honor of the event he prepared a banquet for all his customers of that first year, 1874. During all of this week the celebration is in progress --- the banquet on Monday evening, a musical program for everybody on Tuesday afternoon and evening, a public reception with refreshments for everybody on Wednesday afternoon and evening, and entertainment during the day and evening on the remaining three days of the week. During the week he is also making a big reduction on the prices of all articles in his immense stock, so that it will be a very busy and memorable week with him.

The celebration of the thirtieth anniversary in the same line of business for one man is so unusual as to deserve special notice. Of the whole week's program that of Monday evening was the most notable. Mr. Woodman looked over his ledger of his first year, 1874, and picked out the name of every man who traded with him then, and who is still living in this part of the country. He found over thirty, and he issued neat invitations to all of them to partake of a banquet in honor of the event, and his store, on Monday evening. Nearly all of the old patrons assembled, and in addition several of the business and professional men of Russell had seats at the banquet.

The list of Mr. Woodman's patrons of 1874 is as follows: L.A. Butts, J.J. Logan, Geo. Plotts, John Cook, Wm. Stacy, A Goodwin, Dr. Powell (now at Albia), C.H. Post, J. Lichtenbarger, M.V. Barton, J.F. Sprague, M. Ewald, J.H. Cook, Sam'l Taylor, L.M. Hanlin (Chariton), J. Criwell, John Dixon, William Branham, Ed Plotts, Dan'l Van Dyke, John Clowser, J.S. Johnston, Tandy Allen, T.S. Crozier, Wm. Larimer, Samuel Vannice, A.S. Beals, Jacob Werts, Wm. Spurling, T.D. McKinley, T.O. McKinley, Milton Allen (Des Moines) and Adam La Follette.

Those from Chariton present at the banquet were Col. W.S. Dungan and S.M. Greene.

Mr. Woodman's store was in spick-span shape for the event, the banquet table being spread in the vehicle room upstairs, between two long rows of carriages. The table presented a beautiful appearance, with decorations of flowers and ferns, and candles for lighting. A carnation lay at every plate. The menu was as follows: Veal Loaf, Saratoga Chips, Ham Salad, Radishes, Cottage Cheese, Pickles, Fruit Salad, French Rolls, Coffee, Ice Cream, Strawberries, Cake.

After the last course a most enjoyable part of the banquet took place --- the toasts and reminiscenses by those present. Mr. J.F. Sprague presided as toastmaster, and the toasts were responded to as follows:

Alfred Goodwin spoke of thirty years ago in Russell. He reminded the company of the appearance of the town thirty years before, and its healthy growth through the years, and complimented the host on the active and successful part he had taken in building up the town.

S.M. Greene spoke of his recollections of thirty years ago. Fortunately for the company, Mr. Greene was not born thirty years ago, so his speech was necessarily brief.

J.H. Cook spoke of early reminiscenses, and recalled to the minds of his hearers many amusing incidents of the long ago in their midst. He referred to the arrival of Mr. Woodman in Russell, as a lad, and of the curiosity of the citizens, especially the young ladies, as to who he was. He also recalled instances of his perseverance in business, and of the success he had attained, through the help of his excellent wife.

J. L. Werts spoke along a similar line recalling memories of his younger days in Russell.

T.E. Plotts spoke of his personal deep interest in Russell, and of the great interest and aid that Mr. Woodman had always given to the town and its welfare.

Col. Dungan spoke in his usual vein, fluently and interestingly. He recalled the fact that he had once platted an addition to Russell, and only regretted that he sold it when he did.

Wm. Branham related amusing incidents in the early life of the town, and referred to the honesty and uprightness of Mr. Woodman.

W.L. Werts outlined Mr. Woodman's close identification with every forward move of the town, its business prosperity growing with his own.

J.L. Long, editor of the Union, prophesied the future of Russell, as if taken from the files of the Union.

Mr. Woodman closed with a brief speech, in which he spoke with mingled emotions of the pleasant years he had spent in Russell, and spoke of the pleasure it afforded him to greet his friends in this way. He read from his day book of 1874, giving the names of many of the old residents who have passed away, and recalling to the minds of the guests many of the happenings of the early years.

He also referred to a remark of Col. Dungan's, in which the latter said he could trace his ancestry back to 1638, when they came to this country. Mr.Woodman said he could beat Col Dungan in that, as his ancestors landed here from England in 1635, and he could trace both his mother's and his father's family to that date.

The guests departed from the banquet at a late hour, with regret at having to conclude so enjoyable an evening, but with pleasure at being permitted to enjoy it. Besides the above program, instrumental music was furnished during the evening by Messrs. VanSickle and Hughes, of Chariton, and delightful vocal solos were rendered by Miss Fern Sprague, Miss Butts, and Dr. Stote, with piano accompaniment by Miss Abbie Woodman.

Chariton and Lucas county people have a general idea that Mr. Woodman does a large business in his hardware, implements and furniture, but they probably do not realize the immensity of his establishment. He has two stores, one at Russell and one at Chariton. The store at Russell contains more floor space than any other store in the county. The main building is of brick, and contains three floors, each 24 x 80 feet. The warehouse is also of brick, and is 44 x 50 feet. The tin shop is 22 x 14 feet. The furniture building is 20 x 60 feet, and contains two floors and a basement. Besides the above, there are ware and storage rooms outside that are not included.

The store at Chariton is conducted in the Dewey block, at the southeast corner, and besides the full length of the business lot, a building across the alley south is used. So it will be seen that Mr. Woodman's business is immensely large, and is something for Lucas county to be proud of.

When Mr. Woodman came to Russell from Maine about thirty years ago, he was only 21 years of age. In 1874 he built a little store room 20 x 40 feet of frame, and put in a stock of hardware and furniture, beginning on May 25. He did all the business himself, and drummers who dropped into the store would not at first believe that he was the proprietor. They always asked him where his pa was. He would tell them that his pa was back east. On being asked when the old gentleman would be back, young Woodman would reply that he didn't know, as his father had never been out here yet. In spite of his youth, he prospered from the start, and when he found that he could make a living for two, he won the heart of the girls of his choice, Miss Alice Butts. Now he has six children to make his home happy, and in his two establishments gives employment to five heads of families and one single man. He and his eldest son, Edward, also give their personal attention to the business.

No one deserves more than does Mr. Woodman the prosperity that he enjoys. He has won a place in the successful commercial world by dint of hard and honest toil, and in his labor he has always taken time to help those around him and give time and money to the upbuilding of his home community. The fact that his patrons of 1874 are still his patrons is the highest tribute that could be paid to his business standing. no man in Russell has more or better friends than has A.J. Woodman, and no man has the respect of his acquaintances more than he has. The Herald editor feels honored to have been invited to the banquet of the patrons of 1874, and congratulates Mr. Woodman and his excellent family upon the success that he has attained during his life in Russell, and on the success of the thirtieth anniversary this week.