George L. Woods
| George Lemuel Woods | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 9th Governor of Utah Territory | |
|
In office 1871–1875 |
|
| Preceded by | Vernon H. Vaughan |
| Succeeded by | Samuel Beach Axtell |
| 3rd Governor of Oregon | |
|
In office September 12, 1866 – September 14, 1870 |
|
| Preceded by | A. C. Gibbs |
| Succeeded by | La Fayette Grover |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
July 30, 1832 Boone County, Missouri |
| Died | January 7, 1890 (aged 57) Portland, Oregon |
| Political party |
National Union / Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Louisa A. McBride |
| Profession | Lawyer |
George Lemuel Woods (July 30, 1832 – January 7, 1890) was an American lawyer, judge, and politician. A member of the Republican Party, Woods served as the third Governor of Oregon from 1866–1870. Failing to win renomination, Woods was then appointed Territorial Governor of Utah by President Ulysses S. Grant, serving in that position from 1871–1875.
George Lemuel Woods was born July 30, 1832 in Boone County, Missouri, the second of four boys born to Caleb Woods and the former Margaret McBride. His ancestors came to North America from Scotland in the late 17th Century, settling first in Virginia before moving to the Kentucky frontier. His father had moved to Missouri in 1808.
In 1847, when George was just 15, his parents moved to the Oregon Territory. In Oregon, the family settled in Yamhill County where George was educated in the public schools.
In April 1852, Woods was married to Louisa A. McBride. The couple would have two sons. The young couple took a homestead on unimproved government land, which Woods cleared, fenced, and plowed.
Unsatisfied with rural life, in 1856 Woods sold his property and enrolled at McMinnville College where he studied law. Working as a carpenter during the day and studying at night, Woods purchased a small law library and was eventually admitted to the bar in 1858, setting up a private practice. Woods proved capable at the task and gained recognition as a proficient attorney.
In 1857, Woods organized Republican clubs in the state and was a noted speaker of the party.
Woods was appointed a judge in Wasco County in 1863. He was nominated as a presidential elector in March 1864 and was active in the campaign to re-elect Abraham Lincoln to the presidency, gaining a following as an eloquent and effective orator and stump speaker. Woods toured the state as leading representative of the National Union Party (Republican-Pro-War Democrat coalition), debating the anti-war Democrat Aaron E. Wait, Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court.
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