Susan Catherine Woodward

Susan Catherine Zediker, daughter of David S. Zediker and Eliza Robbins, was born was born September 16, 1862 in Iowa and died March 11, 1942 in Fresno Co., CA. She married Byron Scott Woodward. Susan and Byron are both buried at Mendocino Cemetery, Parlier, Fresno Co., CA. They had six children, five of who reached adulthood.

Susan appears in the 1870 US Census for Otter Creek, Linn County, Iowa, as a 7 year old, born in Iowa, and living in her parents’ home.

Byron Scott Woodward was the son of Abel Woodward and wife Lucy. He was born in Iowa on June 2, 1860 and died in Fresno County, California on July 7, 1908. He is buried at Mendocino Cemetery, Parlier, Fresno County, California. He married Susan Catherine Zediker, daughter of David S. Zediker and wife Eliza Robbins.

Byron appears in the 1880 US Census for Prairie, Davis County, Iowa, listed as B. Scott Woodward. He is age 20, working as farm labor, and living in his parents’ home.

Byron S. Woodward is listed in the 1896 GREAT REGISTER OF FRESNO COUNTY, WALNUT PRECINCT, on line 142, giving his place of birth as Iowa, age as 35 and occupation as farmer.

Byron and Susan appear in the 1900 US Census for Fresno County, California. Byron is 40 years old, born in Iowa and married for 17 years. Susan is 38, born in Iowa and married for 17 years. Also in the household are four children, all born in California. Able is 12, Loyd is 10, Sela is 7 and Vern is 2.

Susan appears in the 1910 US Census for Fresno County, California, as a 48-year old widow born in Iowa, with an occupation of merchant with a confectionery shop. Living with her are four children, all born in California. Abel is age 22, single, and working as a teamster for the county. Loyd is age 19, single, with no occupation listed. Lela is age 16. Vern, listed in error as a daughter, is 12.

Susan appears in the 1920 US census for Fresno County, California, as a 57-year-old widow born in Iowa. Sons Wren, age 31, and Vern, age 21, are living with her. There are also two boarders living in the home, Mr. Haddow, fruit ranch foreman and Mr. Bolander, pool house operator.

Susan appears in the 1930 US Census for Fresno County, California, as a 65-year old widow, born in Iowa. Also in the household are her son Vern, age 31, and a boarder, Herbert W. Haddow. He had been boarding with her at the previous census.

Susan appears in the 1940 US census for Parlier, Fresno County, California, as a 77-year-old widow. Son Vernon, age 42, is living with her and working as a fruit ranch laborer.

Susan Woodward is one of the sisters of Emma Zediker Stump who contested Emma’s will, taking the matter as far as the California State Supreme Court, where the will was upheld. See more about this matter on Emma’s profile, #10.

It is interesting to note the two boarders who lived with Susan. Mr. Bolander operated a pool house. One of her sons worked for a time as labor at a pool house. Herbert Haddow lived with her for more than ten years. Her daughter Lela married a Haddow.

Children of Byron Scott Woodward and wife Susan Catherine Zediker:

• Able Wren Woodward
• Loyd A. Woodward
• Lela F. Woodward
• Vern O. Woodward.
• Infant Woodward – buried at Mendocino Cemetery, but no dates or other information was placed on the grave marker.