Baron H Woodbury
 

History of Kentucky and Kentuckians, E. Polk Johnson, three volumes,
Lewis Publishing Co., New York & Chicago, 1912. Common version, Vol. III,
pp. 1200-01.      (Campbell County)



Baron H. Woodbury--The association of Baron H. Woodbury with the active life of Dayton and this part of the state has been of a varied character and he is widely known in the community in which he has made his home for so many years.  He is now living retired from active labors and enjoying the competence accruing from previous years o industry and enterprise. He
is a native Kentuckian, having been born at Newport on August 20, 1848, the son of John B. and Evalina (Buchanan) Woodbury, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Maryland.  They were married in the city of Philadelphia and shortly after came to Kentucky, locating first in Newport and later in Dayton, which latter place was in that early day known
as Jamestown. 

The father had been extensively engaged in manufacturing in Philadelphia and after coming to Dayton he embarked in the manufacturing business, his particular line being matches, which he turned out in great quantities, remaining at the head of the plant for a number of years.  He
had the distinction to be the first in this line in the west.  He was a student and investigator, his mind having a scientific bent and he was one of the originators of the oil refining industry.  He was likewise a pioneer in his realization of the practical benefit to be derived from the
refining of cotton seed oil, and he introduced his method in many sections of the south.  He died very suddenly of pneumonia while engaged in that work in New Orleans. 

His demise was in the year 1879, at which time his age was sixty-seven years, and he was interred in Evergreen Cemetery in Newport.  During the Civil war he belonged to the Dayton home guards.  His widow survived several years and died of apoplexy at the age of eighty-two
years at the home of Mr. Woodbury, although prior to her death she had made her home for several years with a son in Arkansas.  She and her husband were the parents of four children, one of whom died in infancy and two of whom survive at the present time.

     Baron H. Woodbury was the youngest child of his parents and he was only about a year old when they located in Dayton.  He was reared in Dayton and received a common school education.  During his early years he busied himself with varied employments.  He drove a wagon in the coal trade, and for several years was engaged in steam boating on the White river in Arkansas, owning a boat in partnership with his brother.  In 1883 he retired from this business and returned to Kentucky, settling in Newport and buying a mineral water plant, which he operated successfully for nearly a quarter of a century.  He developed a large business and the product of his factory enjoyed an excellent reputation. 

In 1907 a stock company was organized and Mr. Woodbury's son became principal owner, Mr. Woodbury having since retired.  His executive talents have not been limited to the
management of his factory but he was one of the organizers of the Central Savings Bank & Trust Company and has been a member of the directorate since its inception. 

Politically Mr. Woodbury is inclined toward the men and measures of the Republican party, although in local matters he is independent rather than partisan.  He has never aspired to share the honors and emoluments of office.  He is a lodge man, being a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which latter
he is a charter member.

     Mr. Woodbury in 1883 laid the foundation of a home life by his marriage to Bird Ella Stamper, a native of Covington and daughter of Pleasant Stamper, a carpenter and builder who lived in Dayton at one time.

To Mr. and Mrs. Woodbury was born one son, Charles Buchanan, who as previously mentioned is now at the head of the Woodbury mineral water factory.  The mother passed to the Great Beyond March 12, 1907.

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