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Encyclopedia Dubuque

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WOODWARD, James

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Family History: http://www.geni.com/people/James-Woodward/6000000019302323123

WOODWARD, James. (Westmore, England, Nov. 4, 1827--Dubuque, Iowa, Aug. 29, 1908). Woodward remained in school until the age of sixteen and then left home for London. He found employment in the company of Lidde & Wikeman, a large house furnishing business. He remained four years and then traveled to the United States. (1)

He arrived in New York City on May 31, 1848 and immediately left for Dubuque. He mined LEAD for a year and then entered a partnership with his brothers John and William in general merchandising business called Woodward Brothers. In 1850 the business was sold and the two brothers left Dubuque for California. James began the manufacture of mattress and bedding. (2)

In 1856 Woodward formed a partnership with Valentine HERANCOURT in the manufacture of furniture. When his partner died, Woodward served as the sole owner of the company until poor health caused him to sell. He traveled to England for two years before returning to Dubuque to manage his real estate. He repeated his trips to Europe several times. (3)

Charles H. EIGHMEY, James Woodward, and Harker Brentnal SPENSLEY, Sr., the incorporators, announced the formation of the DUBUQUE OPERA HOUSE COMPANY on May 20, 1908. (4)

In 1909 Harker Spensley and Robert Spensley, as agents of the Dubuque Opera House Company, purchased the COATES OPERA HOUSE from Messrs Coates, Eighmey, Spensley and Woodward. They then formed a holding syndicate with Jake Rosenthal and the Western Vaudeville Managers' Association. Renovation of what was to be the BIJOU THEATER began with an estimated $40,000 being spent on remodeling the building into a state-of-the-art vaudeville theater. (5)

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Source:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1894, p. 207