Hamilton Daily News
Friday, Dec 16, 1887
Lane Library Cummins Room, Hamilton, OH

Microfilm transcription-

Poet Woodmansee Dead:

  James Woodmansee, an eccentric character who called himself the 
"bard of Sugar Valley," died this morning at 8 o'clock, in his 74th
 year, after an illness of some length, originating in kidney trouble, 
followed by a type of typhoid fever.  He was the son of Daniel Woodmansee, 
of New Jersey, who settled in Liberty township in 1809.  James, the poet, 
was born April 20, 1814.  He received a good education, and was brought up 
to agricultural pursuits.  He early developed a fondness for verse, and 
has written two epic poems, "The Closing Scene, a Poem in Twelve Books."  
The subject of the first poem is the great war between Gog and 
Magog, ending with the "wreck of matter and the crash of the worlds."  
The second shows religion from the time the "spirit brooded o'er the 
water's face," to the millennium.  Besides these he has written "Wrinkles 
From the Brow of Experience," "Poetry of the Seasons," and, "The Prodigal 
Son," a drama in five acts.  "The Closing Scene" and "Wrinkles," published some
 years ago, received much praise in America and Europe.  Thos. N. Talfourd,
 a great critic and judge of Westminster, said: "The Closing scene" rivals the 
"Divina Commedia" of Dante, and Samuel Rogers, author, called it the "Paradise 
Lost" of America.  Mr. Woodmansee has traveled considerably in Europe and all 
over America, and in 1882 resided in this city, but soon returned 
to the country.  In 1874 he married Miss Fannie McGowan, of Urbana, 
who is now 43 years old.  The wife and four children survive him.  
The oldest child is 12 and the youngest 4 years old, their names being 
Cicero, Pauline, Lethe and Lola.  The tile affixed to the name he selected 
himself.


Hamilton Daily News
Saturday, Dec 17, 1887
Lane Library Cummins Room, Hamilton, OH

Microfilm transcription-

---- The funeral of James Woodmansee will take place tomorrow at 2 o'clock.  He 
will be buried in a family burying ground on his farm.


Transcribed 10/22/2006 by Caroline Huppi and will reside on the main page 
related to the Woodmansee Sugar Valley Cemetery.  www.rootsweb.com/~ohbutcem/