Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-05-02
CARVED HIS WAY ALONE.

| c. e. Noodsen, Repub1ican Candidate fol-
| County Judge, the Ideal Type of Amer
J. can Manhood.
| It is part of the American character
| to admire the man who by honest, earn
est, patient effort has made something
of himself The whole souled, every
day American finds more to cherish aud
emulate in the life OF Lincoln, Garfield
or Mckinley than in the lineage of the
preudest king. "He is self-made man,
has come to be as high compliment a:
one can pay.
When the republicans of Benton ceun-
ty named G. E. Woodson as their candi-
date for county judge. they paid a trib,
ute to personal worth. manly qualities
and unquestioned integrity; and gave
merited recognition to those traits oi
character that make our best citizens and
worthiest men. While young in years,
he has been doing mans part since he
was lad of nine, and has carved his
way from a friendless orphan to place
high in the confidence and esteem of all
who know him.
He was born at Newcastle, Va, Octo.
Der 12, 1868. At the age of nine years
lie was left an orphan and, as he express
es it, chad to root hog or die from that
time on" But the genuine American
grit within him never said die, aad at
the age of 16, he came west to grow up
with the country. In April 1885, he
landed in Portland with a net cash capi-
tai of $40, and a wealth of determina-
ton. He took the first job he found
for honest work has always been honora
BILE work to G. z. Woodson-which con
sisted of grubbing stumps and clearing
land with little general farm work mix
ed in. After two years Of this work, he
went to Eastern Oregon, in the spring OF
1888, and herded sheep for year. Com
ing back to the Valley jim 1889, he was
engaged for the next two years as clerk
in general merchandise store. BY
careful management and frugal habits he
had saved up 81 900 by the fall of 1891,
and had an opportunity to go into
business.
I Up to this time young Woodson bad
had almost no education, but he was am
bilious TO learn, and decided to go to
school for year or two at1east. Enter
ing the University OF Oregon in 1891, for
the next six years he attended that insti-
tuition during the winters and worked at
driving stage and in a logging camp in
the.summers, graduating from the uni
versity in 1897, at the head of his class.
His ability and worth were appreciated
and he was employed for the next two
years as an instructor in history and latin
in the university. During this time and
for the following year he studied law and
was admitted to the bar in 1909. About
this time he came to Corvallis and enter
ed the law Office of Attorney E. R. Bry-
son, with whom he later became part
ner. Since severing his business rela-
tions with Mr.. Bryson, he has continued
the practice of his profession alone.
Although modest and unassuming, Mr..
Woodson has come to be regarded as one
of Corvallis most progressive citizens.
When the Bentoa County Citizens Lea
que was organized, G. E. Woodson was
looked upon as the man best fitted to be
its secretary. The greater part Of what
it has accomplished is due to his untiring
efforts, and he has done more to keep
the organization alive than any other
man. The Benton County Souvenir
which has attracted so many homeseek-
ers to this county, was compiled by him,
and he has given his time and attention
to answering letters from intending set
tiers concerning Benton county's climate,
resources, and the hundred and one
things new comers want to know.
The Oregonian selected Mr.. Woodson
to write up Benton county for that jour.
nails New Years edition, because it be-
lieved him to be better acquainted with
this county's resources and better able
to describe them than anyone else in
this vicinity.
He has cheerfully given assistance in
entertainments for the purpose of raising
funds to assist the various organizations
at the Agricultural College, and has thor
oughly identified himself with Corvallis
and Benton county and every enterprise
locking to their upbuilding and develop
ment.
The nomination for county judge came
to him unsought. No more capable
competent or deserving man could have
been found in Benton county to admin
lister this responsible office.