Nevada Genealogy Trails Carson City James P. Woodbury Biography

JAMES P. WOODBURY, 1838-1920

James P. Woodbury, a member of the Nevada Historical Society, was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, March 21,1838.

Lure of the gold fields brought him to California in 1860, and two years later, when the rush to the land of Washoe set in, he came to Virginia City. So that for nearly sixty years he was identified with the growth and upbuilding of Nevada.

Serving as superintendent of many mill companies, he became, perhaps, the best informed milling man in the country. Over a long period of years all processes were first submitted to him for approval before they were given a trial by the mining companies of the Comstock.

Always, he was an active and interested citizen in the life of the community in which he lived, and always a prominent member of the Republican party. For ten years he served as a Commissioner of Ormsby County, and for eight years he was returned to the State Senate from that district.

For many years, until his death on January 20, 1920, he had large interests in mining enterprises at Silver City. One son and three daughters now survive him. A strong, rugged character of the New England type, a pioneer in the truest sense, he gave the best he possessed to the development of the natural resources of this State.

Nevada Historical Society Papers
By Nevada Historical Society
Published by State Printing Office, 1922
Contributed by Kim Torp