Harry Agar Woodburn

Harry Agar Woodburn was born October 17, 1869, in Princeton, Gibson, Indiana. The sixth of seven children, Harry was the fifth male born of Samuel & Sarah Connor Woodburn.

Henry Agar was a known friend and relative of the Woodburn family, as well as an Irish immagrant. This would seem the likely reason Harry was known as Henry in his youth and his middle name, Agar.

Harry was a traveling salesman and did not marry until five days before his 38th birthday. While employed with Mackey, Nesbit & Co., he met and courted a secretary. Dora Magerkurth was the daughter of German immigrants, born in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, on 28 July 1882. At six weeks old, the Magerkurth family moved to Evansville, Indiana.

Harry and Dora wed 12 October 1907, in Evansville, Vanderburgh, Indiana, where they also bore three children. Twins Charles Samuel and Dorothy Jane arrived 31 July 1910. A sister was born 22 October 1912, named Sara Elizabeth. After a move to Princeton, Gibson, Indiana, a daughter, Cornelia (Nellie) was born 16 September 1915.

Harry tried farming when the family moved to Princeton, due to a loss of a great deal of his vision (prohibiting him from working by his mid-40's, although he did odd jobs and drove the school bus).

From his daughters accounts, Harry was a very patient, easy-going man who loved his family. Harry died 12 March 1956 in Princeton. He is buried at Decker Cemetary in Gibson County.

The following is an obituary published in the Princeton Daily Clarion, 13 March 1956:

Harry A. Woodburn, 86, a retired farmer, died at 8 p.m. Monday at his home 2 1/2 miles east of Princeton following an illness of two weeks.

He was born in Princeton October 17, 1869, and had lived here all his life.

Survivors include his wife, Dora Magerkurth Woodburn; three daughters, Mrs. Jane Frick, at home. Mrs. Elizabeth Mason, east of Princeton, and Mrs. Nellie Geesken of Evansville; a son, James C. Woodburn of this city; a ssister, Mrs. Nellie Terry, also of this city; four grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Colvin Chapel by the Rev. Eugene Matthews. Burial will be in Decker Chapel cemetary.

Friends may call at the Colvin and Son Mortuary after 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Photographs in this post include: Harry, c. early 1900's; and Harry, c. early 1950's.