Woodfill and Allis Families of Moundville 

The 1870 census listed Sebastian D. Allis, who was age 49. His wife was Caroline (Singleton), age 40. Their large family included William, age 16; Edward, age 15; Sebastian, age 14; Mary J., age 13; Caroline, age 11; Seth, age 9; Clinton, age 4; and Rosa, age 3.

By 1880, Rosa Allis (age 14) was living with the Orndorff family. Caroline Singleton Allis was buried in Moundville Cemetery in 1882. The winter school term at Mounds was completed in late March 1885. D. A. Martin had been the teacher. Miss Rosa Allis was going to be the teacher during the next term that began the last Monday in March.

The marriage of Rosa Allis to O. H. Woodfill was an important social event in Moundville in 1887. By then, O. H. was "a prosperous and popular young jeweler of Eldorado Springs." Rosa was described as "lovely and intelligent" and the sister of the postmaster in Moundville. Rev. E. E. Baker performed the wedding at the home of Mr. and Mrs. L. N. Orndorff at 12:30.

Rosa died in 1898 following surgery in Kansas City. Her husband was left with 3 children. She was buried at Welborn Cemetery. Her husband continued to live in the Nevada area for a few years before moving west. He is not buried at Welborn.

Clint Goodin wrote that Sebastian Dutton Allis is his Great Great Grandfather.. One of his sons was Clinton Todd Allis and his son was Richard Clinton Allis – Clint's grandfather and namesake.Clint has several letters from Sebastian to his sister in Washington, LA while he served in the Mexican American War. He has also discovered that in 1847 Sebastian went into a Daguerreotype studio in Veracruz , Mx. where he was postmaster (looks like that ran in the family), and had his picture taken, and it is still in existence. It was preserved (due to its very early age) and is in a collection at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Lewis Woodfilll

my apologies - I have misplaced the name of the person who shared this scan. I will be glad to add that information here if I can find it.

From History of Vernon County, Missouri. 1887, p. 809.

WOODFILL & MERRILL

(Undertakers, Carpenters, Builders, Etc., Moundville).

The above firm, which is composed of Lewis C. Woodfill and William B. Merrill, is among the more recent acquisitions to the business interests of Moundville, though each member has individually worked at the trade for several years. The present partnership was established in April, 1886, and already a reputation has been gained for good, honest work second to none. Energetic and reliable in their transactions, they are building up a good custom, as they richly deserve. In their establishment is a planer, run by steam, and they also have facilities for doing all kinds of scroll and bracket work, etc. Though as yet the abilities of these men may be somewhat unknown, the time must come when their true worth shall be recognized. Among other contracts which they have filled was the erection of the hotel building at this place. An undertaking department is carried on in connection with their other business, to which they give needed attention. Mr. Woodfill was born in Howard County, Ind., July 23, 1860. His father, Samuel G. Woodfill, was also a native of that State, as was his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Spraker. Lewis was the second son and child of their six children. In 1867 he accompanied the family to Barton county, Mo., and there grew to manhood, learning the trade of carpenter in 1881, at which he has since worked with success. In March, 1885, he was married to Miss Emma Coontz, and they have one child, Onas. Mr. W. is member of the town council.

Mr. Merrill also came originally from Indiana, Montgomery county, and was the seventh of eight children born of the union of his parents, Daniel and Ann (Tracy) Merrill, the former originally from Ohio and the latter of Indiana nativity. The father was a farmer by occupation. William first saw the light in 1858. He was brought up in his native State, there becoming familiar with the trade of carpenter, which he followed in that locality until coming to this county in 1885. In April, 1886, as intimated, he associated himself in business with Mr. Woodfill. In December, 1885, Mr. Merrill’s marriage to Miss Maggie Rusk was consummated. She was born in Illinois.

Onas Woodfill, son of Lewis C. and Emma Coontz Woodfill, married Myrtle Martin, granddaughter of Merrill and Hattie Landon.

Contact us if you know more about this family.

Go back to the Moundville page.

This genealogy page was designed and is maintained by Lyndon Irwin