James Woodburn and Ella Elizabeth Williamson

---

---

Husband James Woodburn ^{1 2}

---

           Born: 6 Oct 1835 - Freeport, Armstrong Co, PA 2
     Christened: 
           Died:  - Franklin, Venango Co, PA
         Buried: 21 Jan 1924 - Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, Venango Co, PA 3

---

         Father: John Woodburn (Abt 1805/1807-1849) 4 5
         Mother: Jane Hutchinson (      -1885) 2 5

---

       Marriage: 16 Mar 1876 2

---

   Other Spouse: Jane Bredin Snowden (      -1873) 1 - 1865 or 1868 2

---

---

Wife Ella Elizabeth Williamson ²

---

           Born: 31 Jul 1853 - Clarksville, Delaware Twp, Mercer Co, PA 4
     Christened: 
           Died: 11 Aug 1922
         Buried: 14 Aug 1922 - Franklin Cemetery, Franklin, Venango Co, PA 3

---

         Father: Thomas Wilson Williamson (1826-1883) 4
         Mother: Helena Larimer (1831-      ) 4

---

---

Children

---

1 M James Woodburn ²

---

           Born: 17 Jan 1880 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

---

---

General Notes: Husband - James Woodburn

---

He was educated in the public schools and began business at an early age as clerk in a store in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In August, 1860, he came to Franklin, Pennsylvania, and opened a small dry goods store in a building later occupied by Hugh's restaurant. In 1864 he formed a partnership with his brother Robert H. Woodburn and moved to more commodious quarters on the opposite side of Liberty street. In 1867 their store was destroyed by fire; they then purchased lots on Thirteenth street and erected a roomy and attractive building. Mr. Woodburn is one of the oldest merchants of Franklin, having been in continuous business for over half a century. He has prospered abundantly and is at the head of the largest dry goods house in Venango county. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Presbyterian church, which he served for many years as trustee. [GPHAV, 465]

Unk newspaper,
James Woodburn Dies,
CONFINED TO HOME FOR FOUR WEEKS WITH A COLD.
But Had Been in Bed Only Since Last Sunday\emdash Known for His Vigorous Interest in Business and Financial Conditions.
PROMINENT AS A MERCHANT
James Woodburn, aged 88, well-known Franklin business man, died at 3:45 o'clock Saturday morning at his home at 1440 Elk street. He had been confined to bed since Sunday, and for four weeks had been obliged to remain indoors on account of a bad cold.
He was born on October 6, 1835, at Freeport, this state, the eldest of the seven children of John Woodburn. He was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. His father came from Ireland in the late 20's and opened stores in turn at Greensburg, Slate Lick and Freeport.
The father died when the subject of the present sketch was 13 years of age, and he was obliged to begin at that age to work out his own destinies. He secured employment in Allegheny in the store of James Caldwell, a merchant, where was also employed his younger brother, the late Robert H Woodburn.
Came to Franklin in 1860.
In August, 1860, Mr. Woodburn came to Franklin and opened a small dry goods store, located where the Humes restaurant now is, and in 1864 he and his brother Robert formed a partnership that was destined to endure until the death of the latter, a period of 60 years, making it what is said to have been the longest continuous partnership in the state. In 1864 also the firm moved to larger quarters across Liberty street and enjoyed a full share in the prosperity which at that time characterized the oil regions. It was not all favorable, however, as in 1867 a fire destroyed the store.
One important result was that the partners bought lots in 13th street and erected and removed into the building occupied continuously since by the firm.
Mr. Woodburn, like his brother, suffered a considerable loss in the failure of the Culver Bank. But the success of the partnership in overcoming these setbacks was attested by a steady growth of the store until the expanding business led to the establishment of the wholesale branch. James Woodburn remained in charge of the retail store, his brother Robert assuming direction of the other branch of the business.
In 1865 Mr. Woodburn was married to Jane Bredin Snowden, of this city, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. N. D. Snowden. Three children were born to this marriage, one of whom, Mrs. Maurice Crosby, of Bradford, survives. A daughter, Mary, died in infancy, and a son, Gustine Randolph, at the age of eight years. Mrs. Woodburn died is 1873, and on March 16, 1876, Mr. Woodburn was married to Elizabeth Williamson, who died on August 11, 1922.
One son, James Woodburn, Jr., postmaster of Franklin, survives from this marriage. There are also three grandchildren and two sisters of the deceased, Mrs. Mary Donaldson, of Franklin, and Mrs. Margaret Dinsmore, of Beverly Hills, Cal.
Well Informed on Current Events.
Notwithstanding his advanced age, Mr. Wodburn was remarkably vigorous, with an alert mind and unusually retentive memory. He was deeply interested in, and well informed upon, all current events and retained his faculties unimpaired almost until the last.
Many considered him the best posted man in Franklin on financial matters. Universally among his acquaintances he was known and admired as a keen business man. Though of slight physique, he has enjoyed such uncommon health that he was never known to be ill.
He was a director in the First National bank for 30 years and one of the original board of directors of the Venango Water Co. For a great many years he was a member of the First Presbyterian church and also of the Franklin Club.
The funeral is to take place at the residence at 3:30 o'clock Monday afternoon, with Rev. Dr. Benjamin Bunn Royer, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, officiating. Interment will be in the Franklin cemetery.

1 —, History of Venango County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk, & Co., Publishers, 1890), Pg 192.

2 John W. Jordan, LL.D., Genealogical and Personal History of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1913), Pg 465.

3 Franklin Cemetery - Record of Interments (Franklin, PA.).

4 John W. Jordan, LL.D., Genealogical and Personal History of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1913), Pg 464.

5 George P. Donehoo, Pennsylvania - A History (NW) (New York, NY; Chicago, IL: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., 1926), Pg 82.