The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-05-15
DID GARRISON DUTY
DURING CIVIL WAR
Active In Business Circles
Of City Until Retirement
Few Years Ago

William A. WOolSOn, prominent
retired merchant of this city, answer
ed the final summons Thursday even
ing at 9 o'clock at his home, 504 East
Vine street after long illness, the
result Of hardening of the arteries
Although his condition was serious,
Mr. Woolson was able to be about
until several weeks before the end
came. His state was not considered
really critical until day ago when
a number of close relatives were call
ed to this city to be with him.
Mr.. Woolson was president and
founder of the Woolson Co. depart
ment store and for a score of years
has been prominent in the business
circles of the city. He came to Mt
Vernon in 1897 from Columbus, oc-
eupying the room in the Peterman
block at Main and Gambler streets.
At that time, the business was known
as the Racket store. The business
grew rapidly until the year 1907,
when Mr.. Woolson purchased the
Armstrong Bros grocery which was
located across the street. He sold
out the stock of groceries and moved
the Racket store into The room. a
few months later, the business was
incorporated under the laws of Ohio,
Mr.. Woolson retaining control with
Tho
were the other stockholders, s. Nj.
and G. G. Woolson being actively as
sociated with their father in the
store management.
The deceased was born April D,
1S45, at Castallia, o., near Sandusky
Rrie county, being one of family OF
FIVE children. He attended the village
schools until the age of II years and
then had year in the Sandusky
schools. At the age of Ii years
through an unfortunate circumstance
he was compelled to go to work or
a farm.
During the civil war he became al
his brother. The latter enlisted il
the federal army and the apprentice
ship was interrupted, Mr.. Woolsol
again taking up farm work In 1856
he enlisted in the army, having beel
rejected on several previous occa
sions because of physical disqualiii
cations. He served through the re
mainder of the war, doing garrison
duty near Washington.
During the next l5 years, he con
pleted his carpenters Apprenticeship
and engaged in various lines of mel
camille business at Napoleon an
Wauseon. Ohio, and Des Moines an
DeSoto. Iowa. In 1882 he went
Chattanooga, Tenn, where he el
gaged in mercantile business and ref
estate operations. From 1899
1897. he was in business in Columbu
~ and then came to Mt. Vernon.
He was married in 1876 to Mis-
Jennie Culbertson at Wauseon. The
were the parents of five sons, all
whom. with the widow, survive. III
sons are S. NJ. and C. G. Woolson
this city, Frank A. Woolson of Me-
ark. II. e. Woolson of Cleveland al
r. b. Woolson of Detroit.
Mr.. Woolson was member
Joe Hooker Post, G. A. K. but no OF
er organizations. He was, sever
years ago, a member of Masonic al
Pythian bodies, but never transf'
red his membership to the Mt. W
non lodges. He was a Republic
in his views on national question
but voted independently in los
matters. He never held nor soue
political Office.
The funeral Saturday afternoon
3 o'clock at the late home, the II
j. A. Long officiating. Joe Hooi
Post, No. 81, G. A. r., will ma
charge of the services.
--eE