Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-01-24
JUDGE WOODBURY. DEAD.
SUDDEN CLOSE OF A LONG AND USEFUL
PuBLiC CAREER.

Gu SATURDAY. last came to the Demo
crst from Judge woodbury's bedside
the word that the venerable man was
very seriously Ill. He had been engaged
for a number Of weeks overseeing ex'
tensive repairs upon his buildings AT
Bethel aud had exposed himself and
worked very hard and grave fears were
then entertained for his recovery.
On Monday morning the Democrat re-
ceives the following message which
brings sadness 10 the hearts OF many Ok
ford County people:
''Died. In Bethel, Jan. p, Judge +. w
Woodbury., aged 81 years, Ia days
Funeral at Bethel. Tuesday afternoon Al
one O'Clock. Relatives aud friends are
invited without further notice.
Judge woodbury's Illness OF only two
dsys, terminated fatally Sunday morn
ing. just as a new Sabbath was dawn
Ing. new life dswned for noble
Christian man"
Judge Woodbury. was born In Sweden
in this county, Jan. :, ISIS. He was the
Youngest son of Andrew and Salli,
(Stevens) Woodbury., tracing bis descent
from William aud Elizabeth Woodbury.
who left England in l62s and settled ID
Salem. Mass. He WAS the last surviv'
ing member OF family OF ten children
nine OF whom grew 10 maturity.
Judge Woodbury. attended the com
mon schools OF Sweden, Bridgtor
Academy. aud a private school at Lovel
village. He was jealous student and
always had = taste for intellectual pur'
suits but his health was so poor that hs
was compelled 10 abandon the idea OF =
higher education. He commenced teach
ing school at the sge Of sixteen years
5 nd at twenty-three he opened a small
general store in Sweden which he man
~ ed for four years and for sixteen years
thereafter he was engaged In the cattle
trade, making his home in Sweden.
He eventuslly formed a partnership
with Hon. Robert A. Chapman for TIT
sale OF general merchandise 10 Bethel
and in 1873, buying Mr.. Chapman's In
terest, he took into partnership his son
in la ". Josish L. Purington. who nov
carries on the business, Judge Wood
bury having retired from business few
| years since.
Judge Woodbury. WAS married 10 ISL
10 Sally Kimball Of Bridgton who dice
In 1890. Five children were born Il
them: Webster, who graduated from
Bowdoin and Is now q successful minis
ter OF the gospel; Frsnceta A., now tn,
wife OF J. L. Purington; Emma c., wh'
married Francis Chandler OF Bethel
Wesley X, now successful lawyer o.
Pottsville, Pa. and child who died II
| infancy.
Judge Woodbury. has long been identi
fed with the Republican party, and be
fore the wsr was strong Aboliti0nist
He was elected to the Maine Senate II
1856 and was houored with reelection
In 1859 he was member OF the HOus
| of Representatives. In 1861 he WAS ap
pointed Judge of Probate for Oxfor'
County. 10 1862 he was elected to tn
same position and reelected in 1866. Il
1867 he was appointed Superintendent
of the State Reform School, servini
until November 1870, when he resigned
In 1874 he WAS made trustee Of tn
State Insane Asylum. holding that posi-
ton until 1879. In 1899 he WAS appoint
ed member Of the State Valuation
Com mission, serving until 1892.
Judge Woodbury. was an able write
upon political and other subjects, ant
has for many years been valued cor
respondent Of the Democrat. The Judg
has been member Of the Congregations
church for sixty years. In his death W
lose not only q warm personal frien'
but strong, noble and exemplar
character, respected and beloved by al
| who knew him.