Woodward High School - Treasures Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

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3A8 WI? ow Behind all great men and behind all great monuments. there must he a story, but seldom is there tound a story so vivid, so real. so touching as the one behind the success and deeds of William Woodward. The founder and benefactor of our school was a man who must at this very moment rest peacefully and happy, knowing that the work he began is still going on and that his labor has been made immortal hy the boys and girls. men and women. who honor and respect his memory because they appreciate the henetits made possible to them by his works and his effort. The beautiful window depicting the tending oi Witiiam Wooctward at Cincinnati in 1791 was dedicateti t0 VViiiiam and Abigail Cutter Woodward, our illustrious founders, by the Aiumnat Association in 1911. They Felt the need of some tangible, visihte memorial, which would he seen and appreciated clown through a the years. Which one of us. teacher or student. hasn't stood in iront of this masterpiece and felt the power and determination and hope behind the heroic figure in the prow oi the boat? Let us go back a few years and see who this young man was, and what his hopes anct accomplishments were. William Woodward was born near Piaintietd. Connecticut, in Niarch, 1768, son at a tiherty-ioving father and a mother who was a member oi one ot the most prominent families of that day. Here, in the hitts of Connecticut, close to nature. Witiiam Woodward spent his childhood and youth. But at the age of twenty- three, there came the ca or the West the irresistible urge to see what lay heyonch and oft he went, by foot and horseback, and Finally 13y Hathoat. He came down the iiBeautitui River as the Indians called our Ohio River, until he came to the end of his journey and turned the prow ot the boat toward the Ohio side, tending near the present toot 0t Broadway. So we see him picturect in the memorial window. Let us tottow him oft the boat and into the small settlement comprised ot a few tog cabins on the htutt just above the river. The name of the settlement had just been changed from Losantivitte to Cincinnati. The year after his landing. Mr. Woodward bought a farm from his brother. the property now embraced hy the streets Hunt. Liberty. tVtain, and Broadway. rthis land he cleared with his own hands, huiiding a small house from the lumber of his athoat. Then he made a living by farming. surveying tanning, and trading. By simple. frugal tiving and hard work, in the pursuit of these humble, honest occupations, he acquired honor, dignity, and a fair competency Seldom is a story comptete, or a great man great. without somewhere. some time in his lite, a great woman wietding her influence. in the tire of VViiiiam VVooctward she was Ahigait Cutter, of small stature, fair tea- tures, dainty figure, anct ot a kind, tender. and generous heart. tVIr. Woodwarci was tVtiss Cutter's guardian after her father had been carried away by indians. His character, modesty. and tender sympathy became manifest to Ntiss Cutter through the close companionship or legal condition and in I803 she became his wi e. He. thirty-tive; she, eighteen-dthey brought together their love and worldly goods, and lived in security and contentment. She brought to him a the love of her strong nature and the generosity of her noble heart. Severat children were born. but again, as in the cteath 0t JVirs. Woodwards father anti mother. tragedy struck and one by one they were laid to rest in their little graves. The love and help which they could have given to their own chiictren. N11: and him. Woodward gave to others in the form of a free school for the education of poor children whose parents or guardians coutd not attorct to pay tor an ectucation for them. in November 0t l826. Win and Mrs. Wooctward executed a deed conveying seven acres of tantt to trustees. tor the purpose of building anti supportingr such a school. Later another acre was given anti the actual work of huiicting was begun in 1830. Win Woodward himseit hauled away the first toad of earth excavated From the rettar. On the twenty-tourth day of October. 183l. just one hundred and fourteen years ago. the school building was opened and dedicated. tVlr. Woodward attended the ceremony and received the praises and congratulations of his friends. in the few years of life tett to him, he must have been a very happy man. content in the knowledge of good deeds well done as he beheld the fruits and visihie evidences of his henetactions. On the twenty-tourth clay of January. 1835. at the age of sixty-tive, Wiiiiam VVoociward passed away to a better worict to receive clue toner and reward. He rests from his tahors but his works do live on. bringing inspiration and benefit to those who follow. Let us tools again at the window. or picture in our mincts the figure in the prow oi the boat. landing in a strange but conquerahte Ianct. He knew not what was ahead. but went in and tounct out and was the victor. And to us who follow he has left something that has been handed down year after year. to class upon ciass, and that is the Woodward Spirit. It shalt always tive. because there is more behind it than power an possessions. There is behind it those things which conquer evil, and hate. and prejudice. and live because men like William Woodward lived. and because women like his wife lived. and are now living to tceep alive and proud the Spirit of Woodward. Page Five : . i

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