Clayton Eugene Woodworth (12/12/1888-04/06/1973) was born in Windham, Ohio, to E.S. and Belle C. Woodworth and was the youngest of five children, including Nellie E. (10/20/1873-12/13/1932), Glenn R. (b. 1/29/1877), Clyde W. (11/26/1880-3/19/1885), and Winnibelle L. (b.1886/1887). Three of the Woodworth children, Nellie, Winnibelle, and Clayton were inheritors of the family farm in Windham. Clayton and Winnibelle maintained the upkeep of the farm, although neither of them ever lived there again. The farm was eventually absorbed by the Ravenna Arnsenal, although the Georgian-style home remains standing today.

Woodworth worked as a hired man at the Case-Barlow Farm of Hudson, Ohio, through three generations of the Barlow family. While it is unclear when his work began on the farm, correspondence indicates that he began working on the farm shortly before World War I. Woodworth, known as "Clayte" to the Barlow family, rarely left the farm except for when he was drafted into World War I and served in the Army from 12/19/1917 to 3/21/1919. After the war, Woodworth returned to work at the Case-Barlow Farm where he remained for the rest of his life. Woodworth most likely worked on the farm because he was the cousin of Bell Barlow (nee Fenn).