Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1925-05-22
OLDEST EX-MAYOR
VOTES FOR WATER
Squire Rodeffer Supported Original
Move-Still Firm for
Progressiveness

Progressiveness
James H. Rodeffer, more familiar
ly known as Squire" who for over
a half century has been prominently
identified with Woodstock's political,
business and religious life, was the
most interesting of the large major
ity of voters who by ballot approved
the issuance of bonds for an in
creased water supply.
Squire Rodeffer was born in Wood
stock SS years ago and over three
score times he has cast a vote on
national, state or municipal matters.
In all of these years of voting At is
doubtful if any single ballot afford
ed the Squire more real pleasure than
the one cast on Tuesday when he
Joined the large majority of his fell
low citizens in putting the stamp of
approval on the proposition to en-
large the towns water system.
The career of Mr. Rodeffer is so
intertwined with the history of the
town that a biographical sketch
would to large extent epitomize the
events of SS years. In his early
youth he learned the trade of car
penter and cabinet maker and upon
the completion of his apprenticeship
he went to Texas. At the outbreak
of the Civil War, he returned to his
native town and enlisted in the 10th
Virginia Infantry, one of the gal
liant regiments in Stonewall Jackson's
brigade of Foot Cavalry" He
served throughout the war with
bravery and distinction and had the
unique experience of having been
wounded twice in the same battle,
the bloody clash at Charlottesville.
One wound was in the knee and one
in the head, and he still carries in
his body minnie ball as memento
of the dark days of 81 to '65.
After Appomattox, Mr.. Rodeffer
settled in Woodstock where for a
number of years he was in business
!, as a contractor and builder and in
connection Herewith he ran an un.
dertaking establishment, having as
a partner the late w. L. Dosh. Many
I of Woodstock's older and handsome
homes were erected under his
supervision
Squire Rodeffer was Woodstock
first mayor, serving in this capacity
for &c years, though the terms were
not consecutive. Prior to his election
to the mayoralty the towns govern
ment was in the hands of trustees.
was in the hands of trustees.
1t was during one of his terms az
mayor that Woodstock's first and
present water system was installed
and Squire Rodeffers vote and in
fiuence were favorable to the orig
inal proposition.
An ardent and consistent Demo
crat, his party fealty and activit,
was rewarded during Cleveland
first administration with the appoint
ment as postmaster of Woodstock
He went out of Office as postmaster
when Cleveland was elected for the
second term.
For a numberof years he served
as Justice of the Peace and until
his activity was interfered with BY
age he was for years a member OF
the official board of the Methodist
Church.
Despite his years, Mr.. Rodeffer is
mentally alert, keen observer OF
passing events and at all times in.
terested in the progress of Wood.
stock. For this reason, at some in.
convenience, he went to the polls
Tuesday and cast his vote to continue
the forward movement of Woodstock
which really began in 1901, when the
first water system Vas installed. and
which took on new life as a result
of the ballot Just cast.