James Woodard
James Woodard was born in Ravenna, Portage Co., Ohio, July 31, 1810. He was the eldest son of Gen. Joshua Woodard, and the first white male child born in what is now Ravenna Village. He came to Franklin Mills (now Kent), Ohio, in 1818, his father soon after erecting a woolen mill and continuing that business with John Haymaker for many years. His early advantages for an education were very limited, but he acquired, by diligent study, a good practical common school education. He was possessed of an active mind, and was compelled by force of circumstances in that early day to habits of industry. In 1834 he married Maria Hopkins, daughter of Rudd Hopkins, of Copley, Summit Co., Ohio. Soon after their marriage they commenced keeping hotel at the Upper Village at Franklin Mills, remaining there for some years, afterward settling on a farm now within the corporate limits of Kent. They raised a large family of children, two sons and seven daughters, all now living save one. Mr. Woodard occupied many positions of responsibility and trust. He served many years as Justice of the Peace and was also Sheriff of Portage County for two terms, and it has been often and truthfully said that Portage County never had a more efficient Sheriff. He was strictly honest, brave and courageous, and during his terms as Sheriff had occasion to arrest many counterfeiters and rascals that then infested Portage County. Notably among these was the notorious "Jim" Brown, who was convicted and sent to the Ohio Penitentiary. Mr. Woodard in his later years had retired from the more active duties of life. He was the efficient Mayor of Kent two terms, closing his last term three months before his death. His administration was marked by his considerate attention to the best interests of Kent, where he had so long lived, and it is universally conceded that Kent has never had so efficient a Mayor. He was a man of most positive convictions, sterling integrity, and was fearless in the expression of his views on all subjects. He was kind and charitable to the poor, and always gave with an open hand. He died at his pleasant home in Kent, September 2, 1883, of neuralgia of the heart, after an illness of only two days, honored and respected by all who knew him.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885