I
have an old studio photograph of Mrs. C. A. WOODDY which was taken at the Pearl
Studio in Rochester, NY sometime in the 1880's. Mrs. WOODDY appears to be in
her 20's at the time the photograph was taken. I believe that this is a
photograph of Martha "Mattie" Mays KIRBY WOODDY, the wife of Rev.
Claiborne Alphonso WOODDY.
?
Based
on limited research I was able to gather the following information regarding
Mattie and her family:
?
Martha
¡°Mattie¡± or ¡°Matty¡± Mays or Jane KIRBY was b. 29 Nov 1856 in Newberg, OR to
parents John Brammer KIRBY (1808-1870) and Rachel B. KIRBY (1821-1871).? Mattie had two full siblings, a brother
George William KIRBY (1862-1864) and William KIRBY (b. 1853) and four half
siblings including Sarah; Joel Anderson; Mary Jane; and John Henry KIRBY, all
born between 1832 and 1849.
?
Mattie
married Claiborne Alphonso WOODDY (1856-1918) on 30 Jun 1879 in McMinnville, OR
and they had three children including Merle Hilda WOODDY FINLEY (1885-1973);
Carroll Hill WOODDY (1891-1935); and Marie Hazel or Sarah WOODDY (1905-1980).? Mattie died 27 Feb 1936 in Portland, OR and
is buried in the Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery in Portland, OR.
?
Mattie¡¯s
obituary lists her surviving family including daughters Mrs. Joseph A. FINLEY
of Portland; Miss Marie WOODDY of Portland; her brother-in-law Edward WOODDY of
Chehalis, WA; and a nephew Joel KIRBY of Peshastin, WA.
?
Mattie¡¯s
husband was b. 8 Feb 1856 in Brownsville, OR to parents Reuben Burrow WOODDY
(1828-1899) and Sydney Anna HILL (1824-1860).? Claiborne was one of two children born to this
couple including as sister Mary Jane WOODDY WALKER (1859-1944). After his
mother died his father remarried and three additional children were born
including Martha Ellen; Theodosia Elisabeth; and Robert Edwin WOODDY, all born
between 1862 and 1867.
?
Claiborne
attended McMinnville College, University of Oregon (class of 1881), and the
Rochester Theological Seminary obtaining his degree there in 1884. The couple
was still living in Rochester, NY in 1887-1888. Claiborne was a minister in Pendleton,
Weston, and Amity, OR.? He was also the
principal at the Indian Industrial School in Chemawa, OR.? Claiborne came to Portland, OR in 1890 to
become the editor of the Pacific Baptist weekly.?
?
Then
in 1902 he became superintendent of missions for the pacific region and Claiborne
died 9 Nov 1918 in Portland, OR and is buried in the Lincoln Memorial Park
Cemetery in Portland.
?
I¡¯d
like to get this wonderful old photograph to a family member and would
appreciate you contacting me if you are a member of this family or know someone
who might be.
?
Thanks,
Shelley
