A.B. Woodward, carpenter and contractor, of Bryant, Jay County, Indiana, was born in Licking County, Ohio, June 10, 1833, son of Rheuny and Persis (Abbot) Woodward, who were natives of Vermont, and who were the parents of two children, A. B. and Orren. When our subject was five years old he lost his parents by death, and he was reared by his relatives and friends. He engaged in carpentering at eighteen years of age, and has followed that trade a greater part of his life. In 1862 he removed from Fairfield County, Ohio, to Jay County, Indiana, locating at New Corydon. Two years later he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Indiana Infantry, serving five months. He was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky and returned home; then resided north of New Corydon in Adams County, and afterwards was drafted in his former place of residence in Jay County. He with others raised a township fund of $5,500, hired men to fill the draft. In this sum he gave $50. He was selected justice of the peace by the Democrats, but was always a Republican. In 1873 he moved to Bryant, erected the first school house, now used for a church; he also built four school houses in the township, and built the first business house in the town for Messrs. Freeman & Bailey. He is an excellent workman and understands all the details of his trade. During the winter season he has been engaged in clerking in the drug store of Dr. Miles.
He was married November 27, 1872 to Miss Mary E. Wagner. Politically he has been a strong Republican, voting for all presidents the party ever had; but is now a member of the Union Labor party. He joined or became a member of Post No. 83, G. A. R., Geneva, Adams County, Indiana, in 1883, and was transferred to Post No. 488, Bryant, Jay County, Indiana, and is and has been quartermaster ever since the organization.
Biographical & Historical Record of Jay County, Indiana, Lewis Publishing Company, 1887