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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