John H. Woolfington, the gentleman for whom this sketch prepared, is a native of Washington County, Ind., and son of John and Hannah Woolfington. The parents were married in Kentucky, and early emigrated to Salem, this state, where for some years the father held the position of deputy clerk of the Washington circuit court. He was a man of fine clerical abilities, and during his residence in Salem did a large amount of legal writing, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Woolfington had three children, two of whom, a daughter, Mrs. Eliza Underwood, and the subject of this sketch, are living. Mr. Woolfington died a number of years ago, and his widow subsequently married, and under the care of his stepfather, John H. continued until his thirteenth year, the mother dying in the meantime. At the age of twenty, our subject was married to Miss Nancy Martin, of Shelby County, Ky., after which he moved to Putnam County, Ind., and there remained until the year 1852. He then removed to Boone County, and engaged in farming and the livery business, and eight years later moved to Clinton County, where he followed agricultural pursuits for a period of six years. While on a visit to Vermillion County, Ill., his wife died, after which event he broke up housekeeping, and made his home with his son in Boone County, until 1881. By his first marriage Mr. Woolfington had ten children, six of whom are living: Ann Eliza, Elias H., John N., Mary C., Lewis E. and George V. In 1881, Mr. Woolfington came to Johnson County, and the same year was united in marriage with Mrs. Margaret (Slack) Bass, widow of Arthur Bass. Since then he has followed farming as his principal occupation, in which he has been reasonably prosperous. He is an active and earnest church member, and as such was licensed to preach while a resident of Boone County, and later, 1881, was regularly ordained in the county. He preaches in different parts of the country, but is not engaged in regular pastoral work, going wherever he can do the most good. He is well versed in biblical literature, and possesses a Christian character above reproach.

Transcribed by Cheryl Zufall Parker

Banta, D. D. History of Johnson County, Indiana. Chicago, IL: Brant & Fuller, 1888, page 718.