Embedded Files
Copyright 2011-2018 John N. Lupia, III
ANS Life Member Major James Otis Woodward was not exactly the sort any gentleman would want for a son-in-law.
Major James Otis Woodward (1862-1928), was born son of Royal Woodward (1815-1882), and Charlotte Minerva Smith Woodward (1832-1924).
He had residences at 48 Grand Street, Albany, New York, and also at 558 Fifth Avenue, New York City, and also at 20 Broad Street, New York City.
He was a Life Member of the ANS since November 18, 1879.
James Otis Woodward became a reporter for the Albany Evening Journal.
Fig. American Numismatic & Archaeological Society correspondence with James Otis Woodward, franked with Scott #134 & 135, postmarked March 13, 1880. Purple inked hand stamp with new address : REMOVED TO 30 LA FAYETTE PL. The ANS had their annual meeting in their newly remodeled rooms at 30 Lafayette Place on March 16, 1880, three days following this postmark. Apparently the correspondence invited Mr. Woodward to attend that meeting, if he could. The ANS had their previous meeting in those same rooms four months earlier when Mr. Woodward became a Life Member November 18, 1879.
Courtesy Lupia Numismatic Library. Very Rare. Estimate $125-$175.
He graduated Hamilton College in 1882. A member of Chi Psi Fraternity, a member of Alpha Phi.
After graduation he began to study law and became a member of the New York Bar Association.
In the September 1883 issue of Numisma he is listed as a subscriber.
From 1883-1884, he worked as the City Editor of the Troy Times.
In 1886, he was elected Alderman of Albany, New York.
Fig. Woodward elected Brigadier General Patriarchs Militant of the Odd Fellows. Buffalo Commercial, Saturday, October 15, 1887, page 1.
Fig. Woodward engagement to Lt.-Governor's daughter. Kingston Daily Freeman, Saturday, October 5, 1889, page 1.
Fig. Woodward caught in scheme to manipulate votes. Democrat & Chronicle, Friday, January 3, 1890, page 1
According to the New York City Directories from 1896 to 1897, he was the manager of a theatre.
Fig. Political intrigue and more accusations follow Woodward's political career that he was passing a scandalous letter. New York Times, Wednesday, October 24, 1900, page 3
In 1902 he was vice-president of the New Brunswick Copper Company, 66 Broadway, New York.
Fig. Apparently Woodward was quite a philandering shaygetz. Move over Aaron Burr. Asbury Park Press, Friday, April 23, 1909, page 11
Fig. More about the scandal and lawsuit implying his adulterous affair with Mrs. Katherine Stubbert, wife of the highly respected Dr. James Edward Stubbert, and mother of a two-year old daughter. New York Times, Friday, April 23, 1909, page 6
Treasurer of the American Mining Company.
Director Camden Lead Company.
He was a member of the Fort Orange Club, Albany, and the Locust Club, New York.
He was a member of the Old Guard Veteran Battalion, New York.
He was a 32d degree Freemason and member of the Mecca Shrine of New York.
He was also a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows, Knights Pythias, and Elks.
He was a Trustee of the Philip Spencer Memorial, Union College.
In 1921, he became a lobbyist for President Warren Gamaliel Harding (1865-1923), which as Gary Griffith has well noted was an administration which made great changes in postage stamps.
He died of carditis in Manhattan, New York on May 27, 1928. He is buried in the Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, Albany County, New York.
Fig. As the saying goes "The truth always comes out in the end." Detroit Times, February 18, 1929, page 3.
Bibliography :
Albany Institute Library : Woodward Family Papers
Sixth Decennial Catalogue of the Chi Psi Fraternity (Auburn : Knapp, Peck & Thomson, 1902) : 233
The American Numismatic Society Proceedings January 21, 1907 (1907) : 22
Howard L. Adelson, The American Numismatic Society 1858-1958 (ANS : 1958) : 122, 143
Gary Griffith, United States Stamps 1922-26 (Linn's Stamp News, 1997)
Page updated
Report abuse