John C. Woodson

Woodson was born on Christmas Day, 1823 in Richmond to Jacob Woodson and Elizabeth Brown.[2] He graduated from the University of Virginia, attending 1848–51.[3] He married Sarah E. Amiss in Highland County, Virginia on November 16, 1848, and they had children Edmund (b. 1849), Andrew Dyer (b. 1851), Katherine Elizabeth (1854-1944), Frank (b. 1857), Robert Lee (1862-1933), Thomas Chapman(b. 1868) and John H. (b. 1869)[4][5]

The Virginia Capitol at Richmond VA
where 19th century Conventions met

Woodson's grave at Woodbine Cemetery

In 1847, Woodson moved to Harrisonburg, Virginia, practiced law and was elected Commonwealth's Attorney there.[6]

During the American Civil War, Woodson was elected to represent Rockingham County in the House of Delegates alongside Charles Grattan and John H. Hopkins, but resigned and S.A. Coffman was elected in his place.[7][8]

As Virginia's Presidential Reconstruction began, Rockingham County voters again elected Woodson to the General Assembly for the session from 1865 to 1867, and he served alongside W.G. Thompson and H.B. Harnsberger.[9]

In 1867, Rockingham County voters elected Conservatives Woodson and Jacob N. Liggett to represent them in the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1868.[10]

John C. Woodson died in Harrisonburg, Virginia on April 24, 1875, and was buried in Woodbine cemetery.[11][12]

• Pulliam, David Loyd (1901). The Constitutional Conventions of Virginia from the foundation of the Commonwealth to the present time. John T. West, Richmond. ISBN 978-1-2879-2059-5.
• Swem, Earl Greg (1918). A Register of the General Assembly of Virginia, 1776-1918, and of the Constitutional Conventions. David Bottom, Superintendent of Public Printing. ISBN 978-1-3714-6242-0.