John Woodburn, p. 1319

JOHN WOODBURN. Among the residents of East Finley township, who by their exemplary lives have not only won for themselves esteem, but have also acted an important part in molding the lives of others, none are more prominent or influential than the Woodburns. The earliest record known of this family is that of one John Woodburn, a native of County Antrim, Ireland, where he was a landholder. There he married Martha Scott, who bore him in that country six children, one of whom died there, the remaining five Rosanna, Mary, Samuel, Martha and Joseph coming to America with their parents in 1812. After a stormy voyage of sixteen weeks they landed, in the spring of the year, at Philadelphia, and from there pushed on to Washington county, where they settled in Buffalo township, near Taylorstown. Here Mr. Woodburn purchased 160 acres of land, ten of which were under cultivation, and successfully followed farming until 1842, when, old age coming upon him, he went to live with his children, but died in the following year. His wife had preceded him to the grave in 1822. By hard work, industry and good management he accumulated considerable property His children are all now dead, Joseph, the father of our subject, being the last to pass away.

Joseph Woodburn was born May 22, 1804, in County Antrim, Ireland, and came to America with his parents in 1812. He attended the subscription schools in Buffalo township, this county, and received practical instruction in agriculture on his father's farm until the age of nineteen, when he began to learn the tanner's trade with Adam Lawrence, serving a three years' apprenticeship, after which he embarked in the business for himself. On March 4, 1829, he was united in marriage with Ruth Garrett, who was born in 1802, a daughter of James and Sarah (Ross) Garrett, who were of Irish extraction. Mrs. Woodburn died July 24, 1842, leaving four children: John, James R., Samuel and Mary A., of whom Samuel died in 1863, and Mary A. on June 29, 1886. On April 27, 1843, Mr. Woodburn married Mrs. Hannah Downie, the widow of Robert Downie, and of this union were born two children: Jennie (who died January 9, 1866) and Luther S. (who died June 9, 1866). After his first marriage Mr. Woodburn followed his trade of tanner until 1832, when he moved to Donegal township and purchased a farm near West Alexander. Here he carried on farming for about five years, and then came to East Finley township, settling on land about one and one-half miles south of Claysville, along Buffalo creek. In 1866 he and his wife moved into Washington, where they lived until her death, which occurred in 1883, after which he made his home with his children until his summons from earth, which came August 23, 1889. He was successful in all his undertakings, and at the time of his death owned over four hundred acres of choice farm land, the fruits of his labor and toil. Mr. Woodburn was formerly a Democrat, voting for Andrew Jackson, but after 1840 he followed the fortunes of the Whigs, and after the formation of the Republican party united with it, proving one of its strongest supporters up to the day of his death. His sons, John and James R., are the only survivors of his family.

John Woodburn was born July 2, 1830, in Buffalo township, Washington Co., Penn., and is the eldest son of Joseph and Ruth (Garrett) Woodburn. He received a liberal common-school education, and a thorough. practical training in agriculture on his father's farm. On May 24, 1855, he was united in marriage with Sarah A. Jones, who was born September 30, 1836, a daughter of Alexander and Mary (Dickel) Jones, natives of Lancaster county, Penn., who afterward moved to Wayne county, Ind. To Mr. and Mrs. Woodburn were born eleven children, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Luther S., July 29, 1856 (died September 5, 1861); Alice E., January 25, 1857 (married to William Rooney, of Claysville, Penn.); George J., August 16, 1859 (a farmer in East Finley township); Elmer E., January 17, 1861 (a farmer in Franklin township); Mary E., July 2, 1862 (married to E. Ashbrook, of Buffalo township); Willie L., April 27, 1864 (a resident of Washington, Penn.); Frank M., December 8, 1865 (living in Allegheny, Penn.); and James S., October l, 1867; Pliney E., February 14, 1869; Ina May, January 28, 1871, and Eddie B., July 28, 1876, all at home. On July 1, 1855, Mr. Woodburn moved to his present well-improved farm, situated about two miles south of Claysville, on Buffalo creek. He has inherited all the progressive spirit for which his ancestors were noted, and his success in life is due to that, and to his business sagacity, careful management and industry. He possesses a wonderful memory, is a most interesting conversationalist, and can speak of events long past with the utmost accuracy and ease. In 1887 he built one of the finest brick residences in East Finley, and his barn has no superior in the township. He and Mrs. Woodburn are members of the U. P. Church, and in politics he has been a stanch Republican since the formation of that party.

Text taken from page 1319 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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