with his back toward it. He would suddenly turn, when the time for explanation came, and instantly point out any errors. He had a strong dislike to looseness and vagueness of statement. In recitation, when a student wandered from the subject he brought him back by one or two sharp questions, and then held him there. A few days were sufficient for him to effectively clip the wings of the most flighty. His favorites in a class seemed to be the less gifted, and for these he labored with unflagging zeal. His patience with this class of students was simply marvelous. The bright scholars, he used to say, would take care of themselves, but the dull ones needed the teacher's best efforts.
The work of a teacher is by no means limited to the class-room, nor the education which he gives to the knowledge imparted on any given subject. A man is more for a class than a Greek verb or a cosine. The teacher's habits of daily life, the position he occupies in the community, his political views, his religious connections, are all so many educating influences for good or for evil.
When Professor Woodman returned to Hanover, in 1858, he bought the Brewster house, which he thoroughly repaired, and made of it one of the most beautiful and attractive houses in the village, and here he lived until 1865, when he sold it to President Smith. His house was plainly but substantially furnished, and he strove to make it a genuine home.
In December, 1848, while in the practice of law in Dover, he had married Miss Anna M. Pendexter, of Madbury, a beautiful and accomplished young lady, to whom he was ardently devoted. A daughter, who had been born to them, had died at an early age, and grief for her loss was the only shadow that rested on the household. As other children did not come to them, they adopted a beautiful little girl, now grown to womanhood. Professor Woodman's home-life was beautiful. Says one in position to know fully: "One thing used to strike those who were much in his family, that he never forgot to show all members of it all those little attentions which with some are shown only to distinguished visitors." This same courtesy was carried into his intercourse with all those with whom he came in contact.
His daily life was simple and laborious. He might have been seen early on a winter's morning caring for his horse, or, after a snow, shoveling paths about his premises. In summer he delighted to work in his garden. He was well skilled in the use of tools, and made many articles, such as tables and book-cases, several of which are still in use. All these things did not interfere with his work as an instructor, but served as recreation, and aided in preserving his health which was often severely tried by the exhausting labor of the class-room, and the details of management which devolved upon him. Professor Woodman was reared in the faith of the Congregational Church, of which he was a consistent member. His faith was strong, his sympathy active and far-reaching, his views clear and well-defined. He took a lively and intelligent interest in every good cause, and was especially interested in missionary work among seamen.
In person he was tall and spare, with a tendency to weakness of the lungs, and at last, hastened by exhausting labor, his health began to give way. A change of climate, and rest, of which he was sadly in need, might have restored him; but he stood at his post and continued to perform his wonted duties till overpowered by physical weakness. In June, 1870, after twenty years of service in the cause of the college, he saw himself forced to send in his resignation. In the autumn he went to Florida to try the effect of a milder climate, and seemed gradually to improve. But his heart was still in the work to which his life had been devoted, and toward the close of February he returned to Hanover to give some instruction in civil engineering. The weather was cold, and feeble as
