Roy James Woodward

ROY JAMES WOODWARD, of Edmond, has had a career that has led steadily toward business success and civic prominence, and as the principal merchant and mayor of his town has every reason to consider that his years have been well and profitably spent.

Mr. Woodward is still young, having been born in Riley County, Kansas, January 14, 1883. His father, James W. Woodward, now living retired at Edmond, was born in Clinton County, Illinois, in 1850. He grew up and married in that county, was a miner and carpenter there, and in 1882 settled in Riley County, Kansas. Three years later he moved from there, and in 1885 homesteaded a quarter section near Edmond. He lived on it six years, exchanged it for a livery barn in Edmond, and was in the livery business in Edmond from 1892 for eleven years, after which he farmed for six years near Edmond and one year in Wallace County, and by hard work and good management accumulated property that now enables him to live retired. He served as trustee of Solomon Township in Norton County, is a republican and a member of the United Brethren Church, and is affiliated with Edmond Camp, Modern Woodmen of America. James W. Woodward married Eliza West, who was born in Clinton County, Illinois, in 1857. Charles W., their oldest child, was head blacksmith in the quartermaster's department of the United States army, stationed at Brownsville, Texas, when he died in 1918. Walter, the second born, died in infancy. Roy James is the third in age. Lillie married W. A. Scott, a taxi driver at Junction City, Kansas. Theodore, always known as Ted, was a railroad bridge carpenter and died at Tucson, Arizona, in 1912. Guy, the youngest of the family, died at Edmond in infancy.

Roy James Woodward was three years old when his parents moved to the homestead in Norton County and he acquired his early education in the public schools of that city. At the age of seventeen he started life for himself, and one of his interesting experiences was teaching school in Norton County two years. Later he farmed and railroaded a year, and for four years later was employed as clerk in the establishment which he now owns. Another year he managed an implement business at Logan, Kansas, and then returned to Edmond and established and for two years was manager of the Dougherty & Woodward Mercantile Company. He then bought the entire establishment and still conducts it as the Woodward Mercantile Company, it being the leading general store in that part of Norton County. He also has a half interest in the Kauten & Woodward Hardware Company, both stores being located on Main Street in Edmund. He erected a modern home in Edmund in 1916 and also owns another dwelling in town.

Mr. Woodward took an active part in the move to get Edmund incorporated, was elected its first mayor under the corporation in April, 1916, and entered upon his official duties in December of that year. He is a republican, a member and trustee of the United Brethren Church, and is affiliated with Lenora Lodge of Masons and Edmund Lodge of Odd Fellows.

In 1905, at Edmund, he married Miss Margaret Dannevik, daughter of Otto and Lizzie (Hugue) Dannevik. Her parents live at Edmund, her father being a carpenter. Mr. and Mrs. Woodward have a family of four interesting young children: Mildred, born in 1906; Erma, born in 1908; Paul, born in 1910; and Enid, born in 1912.

Pages 2419-2419.