Woodford County Shryock

      Woodford C. Shryock, one of nine sons of Andrew Jackson Shryock, was born in Woodford County Kentucky. Although no substantiating records have been uncovered, he was almost certainly born in Versailles. The early 1850's was a time of some prosperity in the home of Woodford's parents, Andrew Jackson and Julia. His father's business dealings were apparently going well at the time. When he was born Woodford had two older brothers. However, at the age of 5 he witnessed the financial ruin of his family's businesses and their move to the community of Milner, where, in all likelihood he spent the remaining years of his childhood.

      Woodford apparently did not care for his middle name. His name and signature on all of the records of the day appear as Woodford C. Shryock. Only through family recollections was his middle name of County known.

      It is known from marriage license records in Woodford County that Woodford and Annie were married in Woodford County in 1876. The next verification that is available concerning where Woodford and Annie lived is the Anderson County, Kentucky school census of 1893. This document shows that their family had grown to include seven school-aged children ranging in ages from 17 to 6.

      It is generally accepted that Woodford was a carpenter by trade. Family recollections credit him with having made elaborate clocks with all wooden movements. His son, Lewis Gilbert had one of these clocks in his jewelry store in Clarendon, Arkansas that was destroyed in the flood of 1927. Woodford was also known to have made "fiddles", one of which he owned and played until his death.

      Prior to any substantial genealogical research being done on this portion of the Shryock family it was generally thought that the family was of Welsh descent. It seems as though this belief was based in the family of Annie, Woodford's wife. Her father, Richard Montgomery Jones had a brother John Jones that served as a Welsh aide to President George Washington m. For his service he was apparently awarded land grants in the Philadelphia area.

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( typed transcription ) Woodford C. Shryock Dies at Age of 98       Woodford C. Shryock, who has been living at the home of his son Thomas B. Shryock, R. 1, Underwood, near Fairview church died Wednesday at the ripe old age of 98 years. He was probably the oldest man in this county and was said to be the oldest man from his county of Anderson County, Ky.       He had broken his hip about six years ago and had been in poor health since that time.       The son of Andrew J. and Julia S. Shryock, he spent his early life in Lawrenceburg, Ky., and had been a resident of this section for 17 years. He was an architect and contractor for many years before he retired.       He was a member of the Methodist church in Kentucky.       Mr. Shryock was the father of the step-father of Capt. Conder who was killed in a jet plane crash near Bowman field recently.       Surviving him are sons Thomas B. Shryock, Underwood, William Richard Shryock, Memphis, Tenn., Lewis G. Shryock, Brinkley, Ark., Charles F. Shryock, Brinkley, Ark., Tolbert Stanley Shryock, Abilene, Texas, Maurice Stewart Shryock, Orange, Texas, daughters, Mr. R.F. Ramsey, Lafayette, Ind., Mr. George Loebig, Louisville, Mrs. John Klein, Louisville; O.J. Bowen, Lawrenceburg, Ky., and 29 other grandchildren and a great number of great grandchildren. His wife Mrs. Annie Rebecca Shryock died some years ago.       Rev. Gilbert Matthews conducted the funeral services at 10 o'clock Saturday morning at the Stewart Memorial Funeral Home. Interment was at Lawrenceburg.