Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-04-05
I, J. WOODBURY.
DEAD At PASADENA
FORMER PIONEER RESIDENT AND
MILL OWNER OF MARSHALL
TOWN PASSES AWAY.
CONTRIBUTED LITERALLY
TO UPBulLDlNG OF CITY
In Days of Active Life Was Prominent
in Local Undertakings - Majority
Owner of Old First National Bank
Failure Absorbed Much of Large
Fortune--Relatives Summoned.

Capt. Frederick j. Woodbury., prom
anently identified with the upbuilding
of Marshalltown in an early day, died
Sunday at his home in Pasadena. Cal.
A message conveying news of his
death was received Sunday evening
by the daughter, Mrs. w. B. Wild
man, and q similar message was sent
to Frank Woodbury., who has been
here several weeks on business, but
who has been in Chicago for the past
few days. Mr.. Frank Woodbury.
reached the city this morning, and in
company with Mrs. Wildman viii leave
for Pasadena Tuesday morning. The
funeral services probably will be held
dn Pasadena Friday
Mr.. Woodbury. had been In falling
health during the past few years, and
for several years had been incapaci-
tated from looking after his extensive
business interests because of a mental
arrangement. His death was due to
paresis
Among the First Settlers.
Mr. Woodbury. was the eldest son of
the late G. NJ. Woodbury.. who brought
his family to Marshalltown in 1854,
When there We're but TWO stores, a
hotel, and half dozen cabins here,
and when Main street was but a
rneandering prairie road. The son Fred
was born in New York state in Octo-
Der, 1893. Later the family came west
to Illinois, and after several years
residence there cast their lot with the
pioneers of the then Iowa frontier.
Fred, Just entering school, learned
the milling business in his fathers
mills in this city, and later, for many
years. owned and managed that once
prosperous property. In 1883. having
gained a competency. and desiring less
arduous duties, he moved TO Cafifor-
MIA. With his only brother Mr.. ]. P.
Woodbury.. former president of the
First National Bank, he purchased a
large tract of land in the foothills
overlooking the present site of Pasa-
dena. and proceeded to develop it as a
fruit ranch and rural home. When the
boom struck southern California the
ranch was sold to a syndicate, sub
divided into small tracts, and is at
present occupied by the suburban
town of Altadena, While is now one Of
the show places of the Pacific coast.
Captain in Civil War.
Mr. Woodbury. aided in raising
Company K, Twenty-third Iowa infan-
try a Marshall county company which
saw much service, and was elected
captain. He served from September
1852. until October, 1863, when he re-
signed his command because Of
wounds and illness Returning TO this
city he again resumed charge of his
business. became a director in the old
First National Bank and for many
years prior 10 the financial difficulties
that resulted in the reorganization OF
that institution, was majority
stockholder. The active management
had been delegated 10 others since his
residence in California.
Fortune Used to Make Losses Good
Because of his mental trouble Mr.
Woodtoury's estate was taken out Of
his hands seven years ago, and tbs
interests in California had been sue.
cessfully managed by the elder son
Frank. When the bank here became
involved, Frank Woodbury. and thu
other heirs Joined in a petition 10 the
California courts asking permission L
use portion of the estate in settlinG
up the affairs of the bank here ant
protecting the depositors who hat
been patrons Of the bank for fit.
years under the management of tn
Woodburys. The heirs made this sac
rifice knowing that it would have bee
their fathers wish had he been capa
bile of approaching the conditions, an
the California court consented TO tn
action. A large part of the estate wa
required for this purpose.
Was Popular Man.
Prior to twenty-five years ago M
Woodbury. was one of the best-know
men in the county, and was we
liked He was devoted to his bust
ness interests, but was liberal when h
became convinced that liberality wa
needful. He gave freely to every pub
tic enterprise, and aided in the estah
lishment of many enterprises in TIL
city even after his removal to Cal
sornia. He was a stockholder in tt
old ketchum Wagon Company, Odeo
Theater, Pilgrim Hotel and other ir
Etitutions, subscribing for stock whe
ne knew the investments were
doubtful personal value, but of benet
to the city.
Burial in Pasadena.
Mr. Woodbury's admiration for Ca
lfornia caused him to express the d.
sire TO be buried there, and sever
gears ago he purchased lot
Mountain View cemetery as the fin
resting place The funeral servic
probbaly will be in charge of Il
Grand Army, of which he was an a.
tive member prior to the time Of h
Illness.
Mr.. Woodbury. is survived by h
wife, who was Miss Martha Wallt
and to whom he was married in M
rietta in 1856 and by two sons, Frau
and George, of Pasadena, and Il
daughter, Mrs Wildman, Of this cit
His brother, John P. Woodbury., al
lives in this city.