Encyclopedia Dubuque
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WORMOOD, William Wallace
WORMOOD, William Wallace (Manilius, NY, Aug. 25, 1831--Springfield, IL, Aug. 20, 1916). Wormood worked as a blacksmith, the trade of his father, but found it too strenuous. He turned to engraving, learning the trade in a Rochester, New York jewelry store. Later he worked at it in several eastern cities.
In 1857 Wormood came to Dubuque where he opened a shop on Main Street which he operated for a quarter of a century. He then moved his establishment to a location on Eighth Street but returned later to 551 Main Street. He was in business there until selling his company to A.R. Staufenbeil. Mr. Wormood was a master engraver and one of his prized possessions was a gold dollar of 1852 on which he had engraved the Lord's Prayer. The coin smaller than a silver dime, but the prayer could be easily read with the naked eye. (1)
During the CIVIL WAR he was a member of the GOVERNOR'S GREYS. (2) In 1895 he was listed as receiving $72.00 for care of the TOWN CLOCK. (3)
Outside of business, Wormood was one of the city's finest marksmen at the DUBUQUE SHOOTING PARK. (4) His name often appeared on lists of marksmen. In 1899 he was on the first team from Dubuque competing at the Central Shooting Association of the United States Tournament held in Dubuque. (5) In 1899 members of the DUBUQUE SHOOTING SOCIETY witnessed sixteen members of the club compete at shooting turkeys at 300 yards. Wormood and Delos E. LYON took top honors hitting five each. (6)
Woirmood was also a fan of horse racing. In 1894 Wormood challenged the owner of any horse entered in a race to compete against his horse, Billy Wormood. (7)
See: W. W. WORMOOD
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Source:
1. Dubuque Daily News, August 20, 1916
2. "Convention Hall and Armory is Discussed," Telegraph-Herald, March 25, 1914, p. 1
3. "City Warrants," Dubuque Herald, April 25, 1895, p. 3
4. "Schuetzenfest," Dubuque Herald, July 12, 1887, p. 4
5. "Sharpshooters Here," The Dubuque Herald, June 2, 1899, p. 5
6. "Thanksgiving Dinner," Dubuque Herald, November 30, 1899, p. 2
7. "Wormood Willing," Dubuque Herald, September 25, 1894, p. 4