MAYOR  WOODRUFF

                                                NORMAN  V.  KELLY

  

In my opinion Edward Nelson Woodruff got a raw deal when it came to historical figures in Peoria, Illinois’ history. Of course the people that lived here all their lives and saw the man in action have a much different opinion of him than those that have judged him on what they have heard about him. In my opinion Woodruff did more for the infrastructure of Peoria, Illinois than any other mayor in our history including John Warner.

 

Edward Nelson Woodruff was born here in Peoria on February 2, 1862. America is engaged in the Civil War and history was being made even as Edward drank his first bottle of milk. Woodruff died 85 years later, 12-22-47, and is buried In Springdale Cemetery here in Peoria, Illinois.

 

Peoria was Woodruff’s hometown and he treated it like a living, breathing child when he was mayor. He wanted two things in his political life, political power, and to be mayor of Peoria until he died. He did very well in both issues since he was mayor for a total of 24 years. He was elected eleven different times showing us that he must have been rather popular.

 

Peoria has always been a political area and the Democratic Party and the Republican Party battled it out, basically since 1845. We also had a very strong Independent Party, which made some very dramatic bids for all the offices available.