John W. Wofford (politician)

John W. Wofford (August 14, 1837 – February 25, 1907) was an American politician and judge. He served in the Georgia House of Representatives and Georgia State Senate.

John W. Wofford
Photo of Wofford (c.1902)
Member of the Georgia State Senate
In office
1872–1875
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
In office
1871
Personal details
Born(1837-08-14)August 14, 1837
Habersham County, Georgia, U.S.
DiedFebruary 25, 1907(1907-02-25) (aged 69)
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Resting placeElmwood Cemetery
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Cornelia E. Trescott
(m. 1860; died 1903)
Children11
Occupation
  • Soldier
  • lawyer
  • politician
  • judge
Military career
Allegiance Confederate States
Service/branch Confederate States Army
Years of service1861–1865
RankSecond lieutenant
Battles/wars

Early life

John W. Wofford was born on August 14, 1837, in Habersham County, Georgia. His father was a farmer. He attended common schools in Habersham County.[1][2] In 1858, Wofford studied law and continued his studies until 1861.[2] After the Civil War, Wofford resumed his studies and started a law practice at Cartersville, Georgia.[2]

Career

Wofford served in the Confederate States Army in the Civil War. He entered service as a private at the start of the war, and was later promoted to second lieutenant. He was promoted to adjutant of his regiment by the Confederate States Secretary of War. He was wounded at the Battle of North Anna on May 23, 1864.[2]

In 1871, Wofford served in the Georgia House of Representatives.[2] In 1872, Wofford started serving in the Georgia State Senate and resigned in 1875. Wofford served as a presidential elector in the 1876 United States presidential election.[1][2] He was a Democrat.[3]

In 1877, Wofford moved to Kansas City, Missouri. He established a law practice in 1877 and it continued until July 1892.[2] In July 1892, Wofford was appointed by Missouri Governor David R. Francis as judge of the Jackson County Criminal Court. He was elected to the role in November 1892. Wofford was re-elected in 1898.[1] Wofford supported the parole of juvenile criminals and held a class of paroled boys and men to support them.[2]

Personal life

Wofford married Cornelia E. Trescott of Charleston, South Carolina, in February 1860.[2] His wife died in 1903.[4] They had eleven children: Edwin Hampton, Ormond Prescott, Clarence, George, Campbell Wallace, John Jr., Gordon, Amelia, Louisa Carrere, Mrs. Larkin M. Tyler and Mrs. Frederick J. Lewis.[5]

Wofford died at his home 1012 Vine Street in Kansas City on February 25, 1907.[5] He was buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Kansas City.[6]

References

  1. Creel, George; Slavens, John (1902). Men Who Are Making Kansas City. p. 158. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  2. "Judge Wofford is Dead". The Kansas City Star. February 25, 1907. p. 4. Retrieved October 23, 2022 via Newspapers.com.open access
  3. "Georgia Items". The Daily Sun. September 15, 1872. p. 2. Retrieved October 23, 2022 via Newspapers.com.open access
  4. "Mrs. J. W. Wofford At Rest". The Kansas City Star. May 30, 1903. p. 8. Retrieved October 23, 2022 via Newspapers.com.open access
  5. "Judge Wofford is Dead". The Kansas City Star. February 25, 1907. p. 1. Retrieved October 23, 2022 via Newspapers.com.open access
  6. "Funeral of Judge Wofford". The Kansas City Star. February 27, 1907. p. 1. Retrieved October 23, 2022 via Newspapers.com.open access
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