MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS BOOK ONE

Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 48
submitted by Jo Ann Carlson, Aug. 24, 2007

DEATH OF JUDGE WOODWARD
Daily Journal – Feb. 24 1871

Judge W. G. Woodward, whose death took place at his home in this city, this morning, was born at Hanover, N.H., May 20, 1808, and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1828. He was admitted to the bar by Rufus Choate in 1832, and in the fall of 1839 emigrated West, locating at Bloomington, now Muscatine, since which time he had been a constant resident here.

The highly educated and polished young lawyer took at once a prominent and enviable position in the social element of the pioneer town, to which is accomplished wife also added greatly by her rare social qualities and uniform good sense. They were found ready to engage in every good work, and to them more than to any others, perhaps, may be attributed the rapid advancement in refinement and intelligence for which the community was distinguished. Many years ago, however, Mrs. W’s health began to decline, and after long and patient suffering she passed away to the better land about a year since.

Judge Woodward held several civil offices of honor and trust with great acceptability to those whom he served. He was first chosen prosecuting attorney of this county with (if we are not mistaken) a political majority against him. Subsequently, in 1855, he was elected by the Legislature as one of the Associate Justices on the Supreme Bench of the state. On the close of his term, in 1861, he was chosen State Senator, and at the following session of the General Assembly was one of its most active and useful members. The following year he accepted the appointment of Clerk of the U.S. Circuit Court in which no party reserved till his retirement in private life about two years ago.

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Resolution of respect to Hon. Wm. G. Woodward. About 10 O’clock yesterday morning Atty. Gen. O’Connor, presented the following preamble and resolutions, of respect to the memory of Hon. Wm. G. Woodward:

Whereas, The Honorable William G. Woodward, the oldest member of the bar of Muscatine County has just been removed from among as by death, and Whereas, in the death of our lamented brother, we believe that the profession of which Judge Woodward was so distinguished a member, loses one of its brightest lights in this state; we deem it due no less to the profession and to ourselves, than to the memory of our deceased brother, to put on record in the Courts of this County, our estimate of his virtues and worth. Therefore


Resolved, That during thirty year’s residence in the Muscatine County our lamented brother, has illustrated his life and career the enviable qualities of head and heart, which secured for him so distinguished a place in the estimation of his fellow citizens, as well as his professional brethren, as an able and learned lawyer; a just and upright judge; a courteous and urbane gentlemen; a patriotic citizen and good neighbor, his loss will long be felt in the State of which he was so distinguished a citizen, and in the community of which he was so vained a member.


Resolved; That not only as members of the profession to which our deceased brother belonged, but also as friends and neighbors, we tender to the bereaved children William H. Woodward, Esq, and Miss Ella Woodward, our sincere and heartfelt condolence and sympathy.


Resolved, That these resolutions be placed on the records of this Court and that the clerk be requested to present to William H. Woodward Esq, a copy of the same, properly certified; and furnish to the COURIER, Journal, and Tribune newspapers of this city, copies of the proceedings of this meeting, with our request that they publish the name.

Eulogies were pronounced by several members of the bar, after which the Court adjourned to Monday, in respect to the memory of the deceased.

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