As far as can be ascertained, the first permanent settler within the present limits of Woodville township was made by GEORGE W. CLENDENEN. This gentleman was a son of Robert and Mary Clendenen, the former of whom was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and had command of the fort at Gallopolis, on the Ohio river. George W. Clendenen was born in Greenbrier county, Va., about the year 1779, and spent his early life in the state of his nativity. His father afterward removed to Bourbon county, Ky., where George was married to Mary Reynolds. In 1817, he removed with his young family to St. Charles county, Mo., making the trip in a one horse Dearborn wagon. He resided in that locality until 1819, when he came to Greene county and made a settlement on section 27, near where the Macoupin creek breaks through the bluffs. Here he lived, a pioneer, until his death, which occurred in 1841. He was the first justice of the peace in the township, and was a man respected by all his associates. His widow survived him until Nov., 1869. With Mr. Clendenen, came his son Hazard Perry Clendenen, then a lad of eight or nine years.