So ran the headline of the obituary of William Howell Woodmancy, as it appeared in the Bay City Tribune, Sunday, July 1, 1906. William had lived there not quite a year; he moved there from East Tawas, Iosco county, where he had lived for fifteen years, apparently his longest residence in any one place during his adult life. The Bay City obituary was quoted in the Iosco County Gazette two weeks later, with their own introduction:

"W. H. Woodmancy succumbed to paralysis. It was reported in the Gazette last week that Mr. W. H. Woodmancy had been a victim of a paralytic stroke, and was quite ill at his home in Bay City. He did not rally from the first stroke, and a second one resulted fatally. The deceased was a resident of this city for 12 or 15 years, and he moved to Bay City early last Fall. His age, as given to us by Mr. W. himself, when visiting here only recently, was 82 years. The Bay City Tribune, in giving a short sketch of his life, had the following to say:

'W. H. Woodmancy, who died from paralysis at his home, 217 Stanton St., aged 80 years, was a great traveler. He made several trips to the Holy Land when a young man, and was in nearly every country in the Old World. In 1847 he was among the first gold hunters to go to California overland. He visited Salt Lake City and was personally acquainted with Brigham Young. He had a contract for building part of the first railroad ever constructed in New York State. He never tired of telling some of the thrilling adventures he had out West in the pioneer days gold digging with the indians. Mr. Woodmancy was a resident of Bay City in 1867 for a short time. He resided in East Tawas 15 years and located in Bay City last August, buying considerable property in the South end. He was born in Syracuse New York in 1827 and always enjoyed good health until stricken with paralysis 10 days ago. He is survived by a widow and one daughter, Mrs. S. H. Addison, of Stanton Street. The funeral took place at Monday at 2:30 from the house.' "

This fascinating obituary, when examined, unfortunately gives very little tangible information about Mr. Woodmancy, his family, his origins, and how he spent his life from day to day. Some of its information is apparently exaggerated, and, without having to resort to a calculator, it is clear that three ages are given for him (82, 80 and 79). We are neither told the name of his widow, nor of the "one daughter", Mrs. S. H. Addison, who survived him.

In William's estate records we find another document, which provides more concrete, if equally puzzling, information:

To the Probate Court for said county:

In the matter of the estate of William H. Woodmancy, Deceased.

I, Amelia L. Hosbury, respectfully represent that I reside in the city of Toledo, in the state of Ohio and am interested in said estate and make this petition as one of the heirs-at-law of said deceased.

I further represent that said deceased died on the 28th day of June, 1906, leaving no last will and testament as I am informed and believe.

I further represent that said deceased was at the time of his death an inhabitant of the city of Bay City, in said county of Bay and left estate within said county of Bay to be administered and that the estimated value thereof as near as I am able to ascertain is as follows: real estate, five thousand (5000) dollars or thereabouts; personal estate, one thousand (1000) dollars or thereabouts, as I am informed and believe.

I further represent that I am informed and believe that deceased left other real estate situate in the counties of Shiawassee and Iosco in this state and in the county of Wyoming, in the state of West Virginia, of the value of which I am not informed. I further represent that the names, relationship and residences of the heirs-at-law of said deceased are as follows:

(1) Mary L. Woodmancy, widow; age, 76; residence, 324 Machen Street, Toledo, Ohio.

(2) Amelia L. Hosbury, daughter; age, 56; residence, 2460 Collingwood Ave., Toledo, Ohio.

(3) George C. Woodmancy, son; age, 54; residence, 3315 Chase Street, North Toledo, Ohio.

(4) Celia Lawrence, daughter; age, 48; residence, 1527 Gerrard St., Covington, Kentucky.

(5) Cora E. Smith, daughter; age, 42; residence, 1032 North Stricker St., Baltimore, Maryland.

(6) Flora Woodmancy, daughter; age about 32; present surname, if married, and residence unknown, last known place of residence Cincinnati, Ohio.

(7) Nellie Woodmancy, daughter; age about 30; present surname, if married, and residence unknown, last known place of residence Cincinnati, Ohio.


(8) Elizabeth Woodmancy, claimed widow; age about 56; residence Bay City, Michigan, who died subsequent to the death of deceased and of whose estate May Addison, hereinafter named, is administratrix.


(9) May Addison, daughter; age about 28; residence, 216 Lafayette Avenue, Bay City, Michigan.

I therefore pray that the administration of said estate be granted to Frank P. McCormick of Bay City, Michigan or to some suitable person.

Amelia L. Hosbury
Post-office Address:
2460 Collingwood Ave.,
Toledo, Ohio.

And so another widow, five daughters and a son are added to the count given in the obituary. As it turns out, it appears William married five times, and had at least eight children. This was to prove the start of a long and interesting search, which is not finished yet.