05/21/2026
Throwback Thursday. Mayor Gilbert Woodruff (1873–1875). A short‑term mayor mentioned along with a succession of one‑term officeholders in the 1870s; his administration fell in a phase of continuing bridge and street improvements after the first iron bridge replaced earlier structures.
Gilbert woodruff was born near Watertown, New York, November 30, 1817.
And is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Woodruff. During his boyhood days, he attended public school during the winter terms, and worked on his father’s farm during the summer. Having completed the common branches then taught in the public schools. He engaged, while still young in the grocery business with a small capital. In his native city. At the end of six months, he sold out his stock and opened a large store, which he conducted most successfully for 2 1/2 years. By prudent and economical management during this time he had increased his capital so that he was an able to invest considerable sums in real estate, and his business soon assumed large proportions. While engaged in the real estate business, he built many important structures, among which was the Washington Hall block in Watertown. In 1857 he closed out his business in the east, and removed to Dubuque, Iowa, where he spent a year looking after his financial interest. Well engaged in the real estate business in Watertown, he loaned a considerable money to parties in Wisconsin, and Iowa, and had also invested in lands in both states. Mr. Woodruff came to Rockford in 1858, and during the first three years was engaged in the real estate business, exchanging his Wisconsin and Iowa lands for property in Rockford and vicinity. During the time he became possessed of 40 farms in Winnebago and old counties, which he afterward exchange for a city property. Rockford owes much of its prosperity, beauty and progress to the enterprise and devoted public spirit of such men as Mr. Woodruff has proved himself to be. He has ever taken a lively interest in all progressive improvements for the betterment and welfare of the city, and acceptability served as its mayor from 1873 to 1875. Woodruff’s addition to the city will become an honorable monument to the family. He has seen the place grow from a humble village to the magnificent proportions of a beautiful city and has personally added, by his influence, and a liberal use of his money, in securing the location of manufacturing and industrial institutions in Rockford until it is considered to be one of the most important manufacturing centers west of Chicago. He was one of the originators of the Rockford national bank and was elected its president in 1871, which office he has successfully administered continuously since. He was one of the of founders of the Forest city insurance company in 1873 and acted as its president for many years. In 1875 he organized the forest city furniture company of which he is still president, and this has become one of the largest industries in the city. To him is to a great share of the credit for the development and wonderful growth of the busy business thoroughfare known as seventh Street. He was among the first to a erect business buildings in that section, and firm faith in the future of the street and has expended much money in business blocks along it, adding greatly to its beauty and stability. He can rightfully be termed the father of seventh Street, and it’s marvelous growth has always been to him a matter of personal pride and satisfaction. He also built two of the finest business blocks on W. State St, One of which is the Rockford national bank building, and the other the Woodruff block just across the street. To him can also be given much of the credit for the excellent street railway system. Enjoyed by Rockford today. He invested heavily in the property when it was far from a paying proposition, assisted in bringing about a reorganization and consolidation of the two city lines, together with the inter-urbans, with the result that the service has been perfected, the lines extended, and it is today one of the best investments in the west. He was one of the organizers and the heavy stockholder in the insurance company of the state of Illinois, of Rockford, and was ever willing to back his faith in his future with his money. Time showed his wisdom, and the company is now a solid paying business. Mr. Woodruff is an active member of the first Congregational Church of Rockford. He is one of the trustees of the Rockford College, which ranks high among educational institutions of the west. He is a staunch Republican. Socially he leads a quiet, and unostentatious life and it’s always accessible to the most humble of the fellow citizens. He has bestowed with a liberal hand and an unselfish spirit, in all cases of necessity and distress, when called upon for aid. In his business career through life, he has maintained a reputation of the highest integrity and most scrupulous honesty and among the long List of Rockford honored citizens there are none more highly honored and esteem than is Mr. Woodruff the quiet citizen.
Mr. Woodruff was married to Miss Nancy Faye, in 1840 and they had five children: Mrs. Sarah Parmalee deceased: Volney D.: mrs. Emma Ferguson: William F.: And Mrs. R. W. Emerson, deceased Mrs. Woodruff died in 1877, in 1879 Mr. Woodruff married, Mrs., Augusta, Todd. Mr. Woodruff was mayor of Rockford from 1873 to 1875. He died October 2, 1903.
Source: Rockford Today 1904.
