Biographical Sketches
HON. BLAKE L. WOODSON
Stands today among the most prominent members of the Kansas City bar, and, by reason of his oratorical abilities, his sound logic and knowledge of the law, is no one more worthy of a place in this work of representative men.
He was born May 25, 1835, in Roanoke county, Virginia, and is a son of William and Martha G. (Haythe) Woodson, who were also natives of the Old Dominion. He traces his ancestry back to Dr. John Woodson, who emigrated to Virginia with Sir William Harvey, the latter being sent from England to act as royal governor of the colony of Virginia in 1632. When the oppression of the mother country had become so great that the colonies attempted to throw off the yoke of tyranny, the male representatives of the Woodson family were found among the patriots who fought long and earnestly for American independence. Different ones served in the various military capacities, some winning distinction as officers of the colonial army, while in the Indian war preceding and in the war of 1812 the Woodsons were also defenders of their country. In various walks of life they became distinguished, and especially in the legal profession there were many eminent members, while in the affairs of state they were also prominent. The Woodson family has furnished governors to some of the southern states, and by intermarriage they have become connected with some of the best known and honored people of Virginia and Kentucky. The maternal grandfather was also a general in the revolutionary war. The father of Major Woodson was a farmer and died when a young man, leaving 4 sons and 1 daughter: Achilles A., now a merchant and farmer of Virginia; Blake L.; William D., who operates the old homestead; and Charles A., a Baptist minister of Virginia.
The Major remained upon the old home farm until 15 years of age, and attended the country schools and boarding schools of the neighborhood. His literary education was completed by his graduation at Lynchburg College, in 1858, with the degree of A. B. He determined to make the practice of law his work and began his preparatory studies in the law school of John W. Brockenbrough, of Lexington, Virginia, and subsequently attended the university of his native state.
On the breaking out of the civil war, Mr. Woodson enlisted, in May, 1861, in the Confederate army, raising the Lynchburg Beauregards, of which he was made first lieutenant, while his cousin, a graduate of a military institute, served as captain. During the 1st year of the war he was stationed at Norfolk in the artillery service, and when that place was evacuated he went to the command of John B. Floyd in western Virginia, where was organized the 45th Virginia battalion, to which Mr. Woodson's command was attached, while he was promoted to the rank of major, and brevet lieutenant-colonel. He served with this battalion until the close of the war, in May, 1865, and was twice wounded, first during a skirmish by a shell and the second time by a gunshot. He was captured at the battle of Piedmont in July, 1864, while he lay on the field wounded, but was paroled and exchanged on account of his wound. He was in all the engagements in which his battalion participated, including some of the most hotly contested battles of the war, and was a fearless, courageous soldier.
When the war ended, Major Woodson was paroled and returned to his home. There he immediately began a review of his law studies at Fincastle, Virginia, and remained in that locality until 1868, when he was elected a member of the Virginia legislature as the representative from Craig and Alleghany counties. This was a memorable assembly. It was the first legislative assembly that convened after the war, and in consequence the lawmakers had an arduous task upon their hands. It was a necessity to change the statute law of the state to conform with Virginia's new constitution, which had been framed at a constitutional convention held in 1867. Those who took their seats as members of this assembly continued in an uninterrupted session until 1871.
In July of the same year, Major Woodson left his native state and emigrating westward took up his residence in Kansas City, Missouri, where he entered into a law partnership with Hon. Robert E. Cowan, which connection continued until the latter's election to the bench. They won a foremost place among the leading law firms of the city and from the public received a liberal and extended patronage. In 1884 the major was elected prosecuting attorney, and so capably did he fill the position that he was again called to that office in 1886, serving 2 terms of 2 years each. He was for some time judge of the criminal court of Jackson county, and has held many other positions of an important nature in civil life. He has been and is today a prominent man of the city, and his legal skill and ability are widely recognized. He has been retained as counsel on many historical cases, and his arguments are often eloquent, always telling and seldom fail to convince.
Judge Woodson has been twice married. In 1870 he was joined in wedlock with Miss Lelia Word, of Fincastle, Virginia, daughter of Colonel William E. M. Word. She died in August, 1871, after a short but happy married life, and after remaining single for a number of years the Major was again married, in the Fall of 1880, his second union being with Miss Nora Delany, of Kansas City, by whom he has 3 children - Constance D., Mary B. and Nora G.
Judge Woodson is an esteemed member of the order of Knights of Pythias, with which he has been connected since 1877. He also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He has always taken an active interest in charitable and benevolent work, giving freely of his means to those less fortunate in life than he with the true spirit of kindness and generosity for which Virginia's sons are noted. He also contributes liberally for the advancement of public enterprises calculated to benefit the city. He possesses to the fullest extent those qualities which go to make up the successful advocate. As an energetic, upright and conscientious lawyer he is destined for still higher successes at the bar of his adopted city.
Major Woodson is of fine physique, standing 5 feet 10 � inches in height, and weighing about 200 pounds, having had always remarkable health; he is strong and active. While a man who would not be considered handsome, he is a gentleman of fine address and appearance, always greeting strangers and friends with a hearty welcome. He is courteous to all, and the first impression one obtains of him is a lasting one.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.