Kansas Territorial Governor. He was apprenticed as a printer and became Editor and Publisher of the Lynchburg Republican, a Democratic newspaper. In 1851, he became Editor of the Richmond Republican-Advocate. In 1854 he was appointed Secretary of the newly-organized Kansas Territory. Since Governor Andrew Reeder was absent, Woodson was Governor ex officio, and signed the first laws passed by the pro-slavery territorial legislature. Woodson also served as Governor ex officio during periods between the terms of Reeder's successors, as well as during their absences, holding the office five times, including April to June and August to September, 1855, June to July and August to September, 1856, and March to April, 1857. After leaving office, Woodson returned to the newspaper business and was active in other ventures. Though he had advocated slavery, he was successful in post-Civil War Kansas because of his reputation for honesty and competence. He was a founder of Parker, Kansas a town established to take advantage of a proposed railroad line. When the railroad wasn't built, Woodson and most other residents relocated to Coffeyville. Woodson served as City Clerk, owned the Coffeyville Journal newspaper, and took part in other business enterprises. He became ill in August, 1894 and died while visiting the home of one of his sons, where he had gone in hopes of improving his health. Woodson County, Kansas was named for him.
Kansas Territorial Governor. He was apprenticed as a printer and became Editor and Publisher of the Lynchburg Republican, a Democratic newspaper. In 1851, he became Editor of the Richmond Republican-Advocate. In 1854 he was appointed Secretary of the newly-organized Kansas Territory. Since Governor Andrew Reeder was absent, Woodson was Governor ex officio, and signed the first laws passed by the pro-slavery territorial legislature. Woodson also served as Governor ex officio during periods between the terms of Reeder's successors, as well as during their absences, holding the office five times, including April to June and August to September, 1855, June to July and August to September, 1856, and March to April, 1857. After leaving office, Woodson returned to the newspaper business and was active in other ventures. Though he had advocated slavery, he was successful in post-Civil War Kansas because of his reputation for honesty and competence. He was a founder of Parker, Kansas a town established to take advantage of a proposed railroad line. When the railroad wasn't built, Woodson and most other residents relocated to Coffeyville. Woodson served as City Clerk, owned the Coffeyville Journal newspaper, and took part in other business enterprises. He became ill in August, 1894 and died while visiting the home of one of his sons, where he had gone in hopes of improving his health. Woodson County, Kansas was named for him.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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