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The National Archives in America hold various documents pertaining to the military service and subsequent pension claims of Stephen Woodhurst. Transcriptions of the pension-related documents are given below. Where text appears in red font, this signifies that the original writing is unclear and that the transcription is uncertain. Text appearing within square brackets is the transcriber's commentary.
Soldier's Certificate 272960 Veteran: Stephen Woodhurst Rank: Pri [Private] Service: Co. L. 2 Ia. 2d Calv. [Company L, 2nd Iowa Cavalry] Can No. 5413 Bundle No. 24
Territory of Dakota, County of Aurora on this 23rd day of May A.D. one thousand eight hundred and eighty three
personally appeared before me B.H. Sullivan Clerk of Dist. Court, a Court of Record within and for the county and State aforesaid
Stephen Woodhurst aged 47 years, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Stephen Woodhurst
who was Enrolled on the 12th day of September, 1861, in company L of the 2nd regiment of Iowa Cavalry commanded by
Capt. William W. Eaton and was honorably Discharged at Davenport on the 12th day of September, 1865; That his personal
description is as follows: Age 47 years; height 5 feet 5 inches; complexion light; hair little gray; eyes blue. That while a
member of the organization aforesaid, in the service and in the line of his duty at Cam [sic - Camp?] McLellan in the State
of Missouri on or about the 15th day of December, 1861, he caught cold in his right eye while on gard [sic - guard] - thereafter
inflamation [sic] set in the same - and ever since his eyesight has greatly troubled him and is now nearly lost. That he has not
been in the military or naval service of the United States since the 12th day of Sep 1865. That since leaving the service this
applicant has resided in the County of Jackson in the State of Iowa, and that his occupation has been that of a Farmer.
That prior to his entry into the service above named he was a man of good, sound, physical health, being when enrolled a
manual laborer. That he has not received nor applied for a pension; that his residence on Sec. 10 Township N. 101 Rouge 65
W.5 P.M. and that his post office address is Plankinton Aurora Co. D.T. [Dakota Territory]
[Signed] Stephen Woodhurst
Also personally appeared William Woodhurst [presumably his brother William (4)] residing on Sec. 11 Township 101 N. Rouge 65
W.5 P.M., and S.H. Bakewell residing on Sec. 30 Township 102 N. Rouge 64 W.5 P.M., persons whom I certify to be respectable
and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Stephen Woodhurst, the claimant sign
his name (make his mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of said claimant
and their acquaintance with him that he is the identical person he represents himself to be; and that they have no interest in the
prosecution of this claim.
[Signed] S.H. Bakewell
[and a possibly obliterated signature by William (4)]
Sworn to and subscribed by me this 23rd day of May A.D. 1883
[Signed] B.H. Sullivan Clerk Dist. Court Aurora Co. D.T.
War Department, Washington, Sept 19, 1883 Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions. Stephen Woodhurst, a Private of Company "L" 2 Regiment Iowa Cav Volunteers, was enrolled on the 28 day of August, 1861, at Davenport for 3 years, and is reported: on Muster roll of said Co for Sept & Oct 1861. Present. and so reported to Feby 29 1864, Mch & Apl. 1864. Absent on Vet Furlough, (He re-enlisted as a Vet. Vol. [Veteran Volunteer] Mch 1st 1864), May & June '64. Absent on duty as orderly with Col. Coon since June 1st 1864. And so reported to Aug 31 1865. "Mustered Out with Company (Sept 19 1865) and paid to include Sept 30 1865, date to which Company was paid on Discharge". No evidence of alleged disability. Name does not appear on Regimental Description Book which commences Nov 18 1861, Co. Morning Reports prior to Feb 1865 and Co. Returns not on file. [Signed] M. Back
State of Iowa, Jackson County On this 19th day of January, 1884 personally appeared before me, Clerk of District Court of said County, W. Belden aged 48 years as resident of ... [illegible] in said County who being duly sworn states that he is acquainted with Stephen Woodhurst applicant for invalid pension and that he is the identical person who enlisted as private in Co "L" 2d Iowa Cavy Vols, and was discharged at Davenport, Iowa about the 12th day of Sept. 1864 by reason of expiration of term of service. That some time in ... [illegible] said Woodhurst had sore eyes, which continued - and grew worse - during the Spring and Summer ... [illegible]. That by reason of said trouble he was detailed as cook servant for the officers of Co. "L" and relieved from the several duties of a soldier. That he has known said Woodhurst since 1858, and believes he was a sound man when he entered his service and that his disability was contracted while in the line of his duty as a soldier. That he knows these facts from having been present with the Co. at the time as Lieut. and Capt. of same Co. and that he is totally disinterested in this claim. [Signed] W. Belden Late Lt. & Capt. of Co. "L" 2d Iowa Cav. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 19th day of January AD 1884 and I certify that affiant is a credible person. and that I have no interest in this claim. [Signed] D.C. Mishley Clerk Dist Court
State of Michigan, County of Jackson In the matter of Additional Pension Claim No. 272960 of Stephen Woodhurst Co L 2nd Iowa Cav on this 11 day of April A.D. 1891, personally appeared before me a Notary Public, in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths, Stephen Woodhurst a resident of City of Jackson in the County of Jackson and State of Michigan whose Post Office address is Box 1541 Jackson Mich well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to aforesaid case, as follows: That he is unable to comply with the requirements of the Pension Office as to Commissioned Officers of his Co., Sargent of Co or Regt Surgeon or any of his comrades, for reason that he can find none. He effected to get an affidavit from Joseph Anderson who enlisted at same time and served with him, but Anderson is dead, has affidavit of his wife. That he is unable to prove his condition from date of discharge, up to the preasant [sic] time by medical testimony, for the reason that he has employed none, and after a good deal of corrispondence [sic] he has procured and herewith submits the enclosed evidence. And this is the very best and all he can do. He respectfully request [sic] that the testimony herewith submitted be accepted in lieu of Commissioned Officers, Sargent or Surgeon as medical evidence, and his claim allowed. State of Michigan, County of Jackson Sworn to and subscribed before me this day by the above named affiant, and I hereby certify that I read said affidavit to said affiant, and acquainted him with its contents before he executed the same. I further certify that I am in no wise interested in said case, nor am I concerned in its prosecution; and that said affiant is personally known to me and that he is a credible person. [Signed] Charles L. Tone Notary Public No. of Claim 817031
State of Michigan, County of Jackson
On this 5th day of October A.D. one thousand eight hundred and ninety two personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within
and for the county and State aforesaid Stephen Woodhurst aged 59 years, a resident of the City of Jackson, county of Jackson, State
of Michigan, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Stephen Woodhurst who was enrolled on the
12 day of September, 1861, in company L 2d Iowa Cavalry in the service of the United States in the War of the Rebellion, and
served at least ninety days, and was honorably discharged at Selma Ala [Alabama], on the [blank] day of Sept, 1865.
That he is now unable to earn a support by manual labor by reason of disease of eyes, severe rheumatism and heart disease, and
general debility. That said disabilities are not due to his vicious habits, and are to the best of his knowledge and belief of a permanent
character; that he is a pensioner under Certificate No. 272960.
That he has not been employed in the Military or Naval service otherwise than as stated above, and refers to record of his former
application for correct date of discharge. That he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension-roll of the
United States under the provisions of the Act of June 27, 1890.
He hereby appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation, R.D. Knowles of Jackson, State of Michigan, his true and
lawful attorney to prosecute his claim, and to receive therefor a fee of ten dollars; that his post-office address is 1620 Cooper St.,
Jackson, county of Jackson, State of Michigan.
[Signed] Stephen Woodhurst
Also personally appeared Peter Webber, residing at Jackson Mich and Isabella Woodhurst, residing at Jackson Mich, persons whom
I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Stephen Woodhurst,
the claimant, sign his name (make his mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe from the appearance
of said claimant and their acquaintance with him for one years [sic] and five years, respectively, that he is the identical person he
represents himself to be; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
[Signed] Peter Webber
Isabella Woodhurst
Sworn to and subscribed before me this fifth day of October, A.D. 1892, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration,
&c., were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing and that I have no interest, direct or indirect,
in the prosecution of this claim.
[Signed] R.D. Knowles Notary Public Jackson Co Mich.
Act of June 27, 1890
State of Michigan, County of Jackson
On this 30th day of Sept, 1895, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the county and state aforesaid,
Stephen Woodhurst aged [blank] years; a resident of City Jackson, County of Jackson, and State of Michigan, who, being duly
sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Stephen Woodhurst, who was Enrolled on the 12th day of Sept, 1861,
as a private in Co. "L" of the Second Regiment of Iowa Cavalry, Volunteers, in the service of the United States, in the War
of the Rebellion, and served at least ninety days, and was Honorably Discharged, on the [blank] day of Sept, 1865.
That he has not been employed in the Military or Naval Service, otherwise than as stated above. This declaration is supplemental
to a former declaration, and reference is made to the affidavit of Dr. Fred. W. Rogers hereto attached made a part of this declaration.
That he is now totally unable to earn a full support by manual labor, by reason of the following disabilities: Viz., rheumatism
with heart disease, disease of eyes, great general dibility [sic], and was so disabled at the time of the rejection of his former
application Sept 16/95.
That said disabilities are not the result of his vicious habits, and are, to the best of his knowledge and belief, permanent. That he is
a pensioner under Certificate No. 272960. That he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension rolls of the
United States, under the provisions of the Act of June 27, 1890.
That he hereby appoints R.D. Knowles, of Jackson, Michigan, his true and lawful attorney with full power of substitution and
revocation, to prosecute his claim, and he agrees to allow said attorney the fee of Ten Dollars, prescribed by law, to prosecute said
claim to a successful issue.
That his post-office address is Jackson, county of Jackson, State of Michigan.
[Signed] Stephen Woodhurst
Also personally appeared Jennie Newberry, residing at Jackson Mich, and George W. Briggs, residing at Jackson Mich, persons whom
I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, being by me duly sworn say they were present and saw Stephen Woodhurst, the claimant,
sign his name (or make his mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of claimant,
and their acquaintance with him for one years [sic] and one years [sic] respectively, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be;
and that they have no interest in the prosecution of his claim.
[Signed] Jennie Newberry
George W. Briggs
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 30th day of September 1895, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration,
&c., were fully made [known] to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution
of this claim.
[Signed] Gertrude E. Smith Notary Public, Jackson Co. Mich.
Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C., Mch. 2, 1898
Western Div.
Inv. Cetf. [Invalidity Certificate] No. 272,960
Stephen Woodhurst Co. L 2 Reg't Iowa Cav;
Act of June 27, 1890
Mr. Stephen Woodhurst, Jackson, Jackson Co., Mich.
Sir, Will you kindly answer, at your earliest convenience, the questions enumerated below? The information is requested for future use,
and it may be of great value to your family.
Very respectfully ...
No. 1. Are you a married man? If so, please state your wife's full name, and her maiden name.
Answer: yes, Mrs Leottie [sic] Woodhurst. Leottie Gibbons [sic]
No. 2. When, where, and by whom were you married?
Answer: March 2nd 1896. Jackson. G.J. Kirn Minister of the Gospel.
No. 3. What record of marriage exists?
Answer: Recorded in the county clerk's Office in Jackson City Michigan.
No. 4. Were you previously married? If so, please state the name of your former wife and the date and place of her death or divorce.
Answer: yes, Mrs. Isabella Kerr. Sept. 30th 1895. Jackson.
No. 5. Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and the dates of their birth.
Answer: No.
Date of reply, March 12th, 1898
[Signed] Stephen Woodhurst
State of Michigan, County of Jackson I, Cligton H. Vedder, Clerk of said County of Jackson, and Clerk of the Circuit Court for said County, do hereby certify that I have compared the foregoing copy of the original record of Marriage and Return of Marriage, with the original record thereof, now remaining in my office, and that it is a true and correct transcript therefrom, and of the whole of such original record. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court and County, this 26th day of Sept. A.D. 1902. [Signed] Cligton H. Vedder Dpty Clerk No. H-242 Clerk's Certified Copy of Record and Return of Marriage Stephen Woodhurst and Lottie Giblin Prescott
Declaration of Wife under Act of March 3, 1899
State of Michigan, County of Jackson
On this 18th day of November A.D. 1902, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the County and State
aforesaid, Charlotte Woodhurst, aged 68 years, a resident of Jackson, County of Jackson, State of Michigan, who, being duly
sworn according to law, makes the following declaration in order to obtain one-half of the pension due or to become due her husband
Stephen Woodhurst who is a resident pensioner of the United States, and who is an inmate of Soldiers Home Grand Rapids,
Kent County, Michigan.
That her said husband served as a Private in Co. L 2nd Iowa Cav. Vols, and is a pensioner by certificate number 272,960.
That she was married under the name of Lottie Prescott to said Stephen Woodhurst at Jackson, Michigan, on the 2nd day of March 1896
by Rev. G.J. Kirn; that there was no barrier to the marriage; that she had been previously married; that the Soldier had been previously
married. Herself to David M. Prescott from whom divorced May 16, 1891. He to Isabella Kerr who died Sept 30th 1895.
That she has not been divorced from her said husband; that she is a woman of good moral character and in necessitous circumstances, and is
not an inmate of any institution or home provided for the wives or children of soldiers and sailors.
That her post-ofice address is Jackson 345 W. Franklin Jackson, County of Jackson, State of Michigan.
[Signed] Mrs Charlotte Woodhurst
Also personally appeared LeRoy Northrup, residing at Jackson, Mich. and Rachel L. Smith, residing at Pan Pan, Mich., persons whom I
certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say they were present and saw Charlotte Woodhurst, the
claimant, sign her name (or make her mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said
claimant and their acquaintance with her for 1 years [sic] and 1 years [sic], respectively, that she is the identical person she represents herself
to be; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
[Signed] LeRoy Northrup
Rachel L. Smith
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 18th day of November A.D. 1902, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, etc.,
were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the name Charlotte written over erasure, and
the words Jackson erased Pan Pan added; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
[Signed] L.R. Knowles Notary Public Jackson Co. Mich.
Wife of Pensioner
Claim for One-Half Pension
Act of March 3, 1899
Applicant: Charlotte Woodhurst
Soldier: Stephen Woodhurst
Service: Pri. Co. L. 2nd Iowa Cav.
No. of Certificate: 272,960
State of Michigan, County of Jackson
In the matter of the claim for one-half of husband's pension, Ctf. No. 272960, Stephen Woodhurst, Co. L. 2nd Iowa Cav. Vols.
Personally came before me, a Notary Public, in and for aforesaid County and State, Lora M. Tanner, aged 67 years, citizen of the town of
Root's, County of Jackson, State of Michigan, well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn,
declare[s] in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
I am a sister of the claimant, she was once married prior to her marriage to the soldier to one, David M. Prescott, from whom she was
divorced, on her own application May 16th, 1891, on the grounds of extreme cruelty. She was married to the soldier Stephen Woodhurst
about March 2nd, 1896. I was not present at the marriage, after they had been married for some time, I went to live with them, and
remained with them until their separation, while I was with them the conduct of the soldier towards claimant was cruel and abusive
in the extreme. He was given to calling her vile, indecent names and applying to her low, indecent epithets, such names and epithets as
no woman of self respect could or would have tolerated. I have repeatedly heard him call her a damned-bitch, and the like. I would not have
remained with him if I had been in her place. The claimant has no property whatever and is a woman of good moral character. They lived
together for about one year, according to my best recollection they separated about April, 1897. I have no interest whatever in the
prosecution or event of this claim. The soldier very often got drunk and was then very abusive.
[Signed] Lora M. Tanner X her mark
Signature of Affiants
[Signed] Rachel L. Smith
L.R. Knowles
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day by the above named affiant; and I certify that I read said affidavit to said affiant and acquainted
her with its contents before she executed the same. I further certify that I am in no wise interested in said case, nor am I concerned in its
prosecution; and that said affiant is personally known to me and so reputed in the community [s]he reside[s]. Witness my hand and official
seal this 18th day of November 1902.
[Signed] L.R. Knowles Notary Public Jackson Co. Mich.
State of Michigan, County of Jackson
Act of February 6, 1907
On this 5th day of June A.D. one thousand nine hundred and seven, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the
county and State aforesaid, Stephen Woodhurst, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is 73 [actually 74] years of age,
and a resident of Jackson, county of Jackson, State of Michigan; and that he is the identical person who was Enrolled at Maquoketa
[actually Davenport], Iowa under the name of Stephen Woodhurst, on the 12th day of September, 1861, as a private, in the Co. L 2d Iowa
Vol. Cavalry in the service of the United States, in the civil war, and was Honorably Discharged at Memphis Tenn., on the 1st day of March 1864.
That he also served in same Regt. and Co. as a veteran from March 1st 1864 till his discharge at Selma Alabama Sept 19th 1865.
That he was not employed in the military or naval service of the United States otherwise than as stated above. That his personal description at
enlistment was as follows: Height, 5 feet 41/2 inches; complexion, dark; color of eyes, blue; color of hair, light; that his occupation was
stone mason; that he was born October 9th, 1833 [actually 1832], near London [actually Kent] England.
That his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows: in Iowa till the year 1890 [but actually for many years also in
Montana and Dakota prior to that year] and since that time in this city (Jackson Mich).
That he is a pensioner. That he has heretofore applied for a pension and drawn $12.00 per month on certificate 272,960. That he makes this
declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the act of February 6, 1907.
That his post-office address is Murray Hotel Jackson, county of Jackson, State of Michigan.
[Signed] Stephen Woodhurst his X mark
Attest: (1) Ira L. Evans
(2) A.H. Murray
Also personally appeared Ira L. Evans, residing in Jackson Mich, and A.H. Murray, residing in Jackson Mich, persons whom I certify to be
respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Stephen Woodhurst, the claimant,
make his mark to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the claimant and their acquaintance
with him of 10 years and 6 years, respectively, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be, and that they have no interest in
the prosecution of this claim.
[Signed] Ira L. Evans
A.H. Murray
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 5th day of June A.D. 1907, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, etc., were
fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution
of this claim.
[Signed] D.J. Willson Notary Public
Department of the Interior, Milwaukee Agency, Aug 27th, 1907 The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C. For Finance Division Sir, I have the honor to report in the case of Stephen Woodhurst, Certificate No. 272960, that George H. Turner, of Soldiers' Home Kent Co. Mich. was on 21st Aug, 1907, appointed as guardian by the Probate Court of Kent County, State of Mich, pensioner having been adjudged mentally incompetent. Very respectfully, [Signed] C.W. Coe U.S. Pension Agent.
Reissue under Act of February 6, 1907 United States of America Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions It is hereby certified That in conformity with the laws of the United States, Stephen Woodhurst who was a Private Co. L 2nd Regiment Iowa Volunteer Cavalry is entitled to a pension at the rate of Fifteen dollars per month to commence on the Eighth day of June one thousand nine hundred and seven. Given at the Department of the Interior, this fifteenth day of January one thousand nine hundred and eight and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and thirty-second [i.e. 132 years since 1865]. [Signed] James Rudolph Gurfield Secretary of the Interior [Countersigned] V. Warner Commissioner of Pensions
Act of Feb-6, 1907 Pensioner Dropped United States Pensions Agency, Milwaukee Aug 21 1908 Certificate No. 272,960 Class Invalid Pensioner Stephen Woodhurst Soldier Service Pri L. 2 Iowa The Commissioner of Pensions Sir: I have the honor to report that the above-named pensioner who was last paid at $15 to July 4, 1908, has been dropped because of death Aug 15 1908. Very respectfully, [Signed] F.H. Hagdeburg United States Pension Agent.