Meet the Woodburys

the namesakes

Dwight Woodbury came to Anoka in 1857 from Massachusetts at the request of his son, Albert, who already lived here. The family invested in logging, land, and water rights on the Rum River in Anoka and St. Francis, making a name for themselves. When Dwight died in 1884, he left the house to his second wife, Sally, and two children, Mary and John.

The following is an excerpt from Mrs. Irving Albert Caswell's 1914 diary, nee Mary Dunbar Woodbury. The notations, such as “25 x 30,” show the high and low temperatures of the day. Explanations and comments on certain entries are shown in brackets (—-—-).

1632 Ferry Street, South, Anoka, Minnesota.

1 June Mon  59 x 78  Played whist at Mrs Caine’s, and won prize:- A China plate.

2 June Tue  65 x 82 Sorenson cutting grass. Spirae [sic] out.

3 June Wed 65 x 86 Our seventeenth anniverssary [sic]. Irving came up, busy as he is – bought me a lovely shopping bag. I can’t find the pen I got him! Mr Arehson [sic] called in eve.

4 June Thur 58 x 70. Sending political mail again. Dwight practicing violin. The fountain pen was found in Camden car!

5 June Sun 75 x 90  The birds come much nearer to our veranda since we now have no cat.

6 June Mon 80 x 88  Tina returned after two weeks. Much relieved! More rain. All trees and shrubs fine.

9 June Tues  Tillicum members read “Comedy of Errors.”

10 June Wed The twentieth anniversary of our engagement. It seems like yesterday except for Dwight. Peonies are very handsome. More rain.

12 June Fri 60 x 70 Irving came home and we went to the first Chatauqua: Panama views and music. Rain.

13 June 61 x 59 Rained nearly all day. Saw the Ben Greet Company perform “The Comedy of Errors.” Fine, although all were rather damp.

14 June Sun 60 x 64  Heard Frank J. Cannon lecture on Mormonism. He is very good. Gov Glenn of N. C. spoke in evening. Very southern-emotional, but interesting.

15 June 1914 Mon 62 x 73  Senator Burkett of Neb. In P.M. Pleasing address, but played to the galleries.  (Query? – Just who were the galleries in that tent in Anoka on The Rum?) In evening Schildkut’s Hungarian Orchestra played our favorite music.

16 June  65 x 84 The Primaries today. We devotely [sic] hope that Irving will keep his Place – and that Eberhart will not.

17 June Wed 62 x 82  Early voting returns show Irving far ahead. Lee is conceded to have beaten Eberhart. Operatic Quartet at Chataqua.

18 June Thu 64 x 76  Almost complete returns show Irving with two for one against his opponent. Quintano’s band in evening.

20 June Sat  56 x 66  Irving has the largest majority of any candidate. George came. (George Dwight Woodbury, mother’s half brother.)

21 June Sun 62 x 76  Irving brought little Ward Raubek home over Sunday. We have Alice, Carrie, Olive, Father Dolphin (R.C.) and Thad to lunch. Irving went at 5 to take Ward.

22 June Mon 72 x 86 Put up 12 quarts of ______berries.

23 June Tue 65 x 84 Irving took Dwight to see two ball games in Nicolett[sic] Park. Dwight also enjoyed wandering about in the Capitol. I went to Katherine King’s.

24 June 66 x 74 Bad windstorm last night. Had Caines, Carlsons, Woodmanses and Murphys at dinner. Dwight is trying to get the outboard motor to run.

27 June Sat 61 x 52 More rain. A youth at Fridley said yesterday “If they don’t look out, we’ll have a flood.” Alice S. had a big dinner party. Very pleasant.

29 June Mon  66 x 76  Made currant Jelly, and in evening went to meeting of the Stadium promoters at Dr. Giddings. Thad and Mr Akin (bank President) given power to appoint committees

30 June Tue 65 x 69 More rain. Clearing afternoon. Hired Mr Turnquist’s auto, and George, Olive, Dwight and I rode up to St. Francis and visited the Streetleys. Heavy wind had broken trees along the road and in Woodbury Park.