My Genealogy Hound

HON. EGBERT E. WOODBURY, a man of great natural ability, of superior legal attainments, of rare independence and earnest convictions, who deservedly won and modestly wears the honors of political life, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He is the only son of Frank and Philetta (Mills) Woodbury, and was born March 29, 1861, in the town of Cherry Creek, Chautauqua county, New York. George Woodbury, grandfather of Egbert E. Woodbury, was a farmer who for many years lived and finally died in Cherry Creek town, a well-known and respected citizen. His death occurred in the early sixties. He married and reared a family of one son and two daughters. Frank Woodbury was born in Cherry Creek and lived there nearly all his life, following the occupation of a farmer. He married Philetta Mills, who bore him one child, the subject of this sketch. He died in 1862, while Mrs. Woodbury is still living.

Egbert E. Woodbury was reared on his father’s farm and received his education in the common schools, with a three years’ course at Chamberlain institute, at Randolph, Cattaraugus county, where he was graduated. After this, deciding to adopt the profession of the law, he began reading law with Hon. R. R. Crawley, of Randolph, and later attended the Albany law school. After this, in 1882, we find him a student in the law office of Lakin & Sessions, one of the leading legal firms of Jamestown, and in 1884 he was admitted to the bar of Chautauqua county and has since been practicing his profession. It must not be overlooked that the early loss of his father put great responsibility upon the young man, and before the triumphs which we have recorded were achieved the hard work of a monthly farm laborer was known to him, and afterwards experience taught him that a school teacher’s life is not a bed of roses. On attaining his majority he cast his fortunes with the Republican party and has been active in politics ever since. In 1886, when less than twenty-five years old, he was elected a justice, which difficult office he filled so satisfactorily that his constituents requested him to accept a re-election in the spring of 1890, but he declined. In the fall of that year his party made him its nominee to represent Chautauqua county in the State Assembly, and although but twenty-nine years of age, his ability was recognized and the people elected him with a flattering majority. It has been stated that Mr. Woodbury was active in the party — for two years, 1888 and 1889, he was chairman of the county committee and in the elections in which he led them they were victorious.

On Christmas day, 1880, Mr. Woodbury united in marriage with Florence E. Holbrook, daughter of Wills F. Holbrook, of Cattaraugus county, Their union has been blest with two children: Grace E. and Frank C.

Hon. E. E. Woodbury is an example of American possibilities, if to a good physical constitution there be added push, determination and perseverance. Still a young man, the eminence to which he may attain cannot be foretold, and to the world it looks as if he had everything necessary to make a man contented.