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Philip J. Woodson
The subject of this sketch, a brother of Thomas D. Woodson, was born in Woodsonville, Kentucky, January 6, 1823.
In the spring of 1849 he went across the plains to California, spending five months on the way. He passed about
twelve years in the mining districts of California, most of the time engaged in mining, in which he was quite successful.
In the spring of 1861 he returned by the overland stage route, traversing Lower California, Arizona, and Texas,
and traveling 2,800 miles in twenty-three days,. reaching his home in Kentucky in May. In the spring of 1863 he
returned to California, and remained one year, looking after his mining interests. In 1865 Mr. Woodson located
permanently in Richmond, Missouri, where he is now a respected citizen. He was engaged in merchandizing in Richmond,
in partnership with his brother, T. D. Woodson, Esq., until 1878, when they sold out their stock of goods, and
since that time our subject has not been actively engaged in business on account of ill health. He is the owner
of a fine farm, containing about five hundred acres,, as well as some valuable city property. He was married October
25, 1865, to Miss Hallie J. Jackson, a most accomplished lady, of Bowling Green, Kentucky. He is a member of the
regular Baptist Church, while his wife is united with the M. E. Church South. For genealogy of Mr. Woodson reference
is made to the biographical sketch of his brother, Thomas D. Woodson, Esq.
Ray County History 1881 Page 535
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Thomas D. Woodson
It is not alone among military heroes; nor in the cabinet; nor among the luminaries of literature, of science,
or of art, that we are to look for great and good men. There is another and larger class of citizens, not so dazzling,
to be sure - whose fame, indeed, is circumscribed; who have never been renowned for achievements in war, nor for
eloquence, great learning, or statesmanship, but who are, nevertheless, entitled to grateful recognition for the
parts they have taken in sustaining society, religion, and the economy of government, who are really more useful
to the world than many of those whose fame has extended far and wide. Such men, we mean, as quietly pursue the
various necessary vocations of life; who live honorably, discharge the duties of citizenship, and by liberality,
Christian deportment, and individual effort contribute to the happiness of all. Thomas D. Woodson, son of Robert
S. and Hulda Ann (Young) Woodson, was born in Woodsonville, Hart county, Kentucky, March 10th, 1828. His father
was born in Goochland county, Virginia, Novebmer 26th, 1796, and moved with his parents to the present site of
Woodsonville, then in Barren county, Kentucky, in 1804. His grandfather, Thomas Woodson, was born in Goochland
county, Virginia, on the River James, twenty miles above the city of Richmond, December 2d, 1772, and died in Woodsonville,
February 14th, 1857. His grandmother, also a native Virginian, born May 2d, 1776, died in the same village, July
21st 1844. His mother was born January 14th, 1801, in Rockingham county, Virginia and is still (1881) living, and
resides with the subject of this son, was born in 1731, and married Elizabeth Levilian, only child of John Peter
Levilian. His maternal great grandfather, Jesse Saunders, married Mary, only child of Anthony Levilian.. His paternal
great grand parents, grand parents, and his father were Old School Baptists. This faith, extending back to John
Peter Levilian, making the fourth generation, reminds one of the faith of Paul and also of Timothy, which extended
backward to the third or fourth generation. The parents of our subject had nine children, three of whom died in
infancy. The rest are as follows, arranged with respect to their ages: Jane Ann, who married John H. Ardinger,
Esq., a merchant of Woodsonville, Kentucky, who subsequently moved to Lexington, Missouri, where he was a prominent
citizen a number of years; he is now living in Texas; Philip J.; Martha A., who became the wife of the late Governor
Austin A. King, of Missouri; the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth Levilian, wife of Shelby A. Jackson, M.D., of
Ohio county, Kentucky, and Robert Hyde, who joined the Confederate army at the commencement of the civil war, and
receiving a wound at the battle of Champion Hills, Mississippi, fell into the hands of the enemy and died. His
grandfather Thomas was the founder of Woodsonville, once a bright and attractive village, situated on a high plateau,
overlooking the surrounding country, on the south bank of Green river, in Hart county, Kentucky. Thomas D. Woodson
was a soldier in the war against Mexico. He volunteered in 1847, joining the 4th Kentucky infantry, and served
till the close of the war, in the company of which, at first, Pat Gardner and afterwards Thomas Mayfield, was captain.
At the close of the Mexican war, he came to Missouri and located at Kingston, in Caldwell county,, where he engaged
in the mercantile business. He remained in Kingston until the spring of 1852, when he crossed the plains, with
a train of ox wagons, to California. Continuing in California till January, 1854, he returned to his home in Missouri
and pursued his former vocation at Kingston till in 1863, when he removed to Richmond, Ray county, where he resumed
merchandising, and conducted a store till the fall of 1878, at which time he closed out to Messrs. Holt & Hughes.
In 1868, he participated in the organization of the Ray County Savings Bank, and was chosen its vice-president.
He held this position till he disposed of his mercantile house, as above stated, when he turned his attention to
banking exclusively. In 1879 he was elected president of the Ray County Savings bank, and still holds that position.
Mr. Woodson has also been extensively engaged in dealing in live stock, farming, etc. He owns several well improved
and fertile farms in Ray and adjoining counties. He was married December 5, 1854, to Miss Sabina L. Hughes, a native
of Clark county, Kentucky. They have three children living, viz. Lydia Annie, born September 27, 1855; Harrie Philip,
born March 23, 1859 and Virginia Elizabeth, born September 11, 1870. Mrs. Woodson was a refined and amiable lady,
but she is not now among the living - having died April 11, 1871. Mr. Woodson is a devout and consistant member
of the M. E. Church South. His name is untarnished; his friends are legion; and his life not in vain.
Ray County History 1881 Pages 533 - 535
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