Timothy L. Woodruff

Timothy Lester Woodruff (August 4, 1858 New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut - October 12, 1913) was an American politician.

Life

He was the son of U.S. Representative John Woodruff. He graduated from Yale University in 1879. In 1881, he removed to 25, Eighth Avenue, Brooklyn and entered politics as a Republican, eventually becoming the head of the party's organization in Kings County, New York, and later Chairman of the New York State Republican Committee.

In January 1896, he was appointed Brooklyn Park Commissioner.http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9D01E5D7103CE433A2575BC2A96F9C94699ED7CF in NYT on September 28, 1898] ] In 1896, Woodruff petitioned to the New York State Board of Regents to create a "coeducational college" in Brooklyn.

He was Lieutenant Governor of New York from 1897 to 1902 under Governors Frank S. Black, Theodore Roosevelt and Benjamin Barker Odell, Jr. [ [http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/woodnutt-woodrum.html The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Woodmancy to Woodrum] ] As Lieutenant Governor, Woodruff took a leadership role in the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks (founded in 1901) to help implement Article XIV, Sec 1 of the New York State Constitution, protecting New York’s prized natural land. Commonly known as the “forever wild clause,” the law sought to protect the forest from the devastation of clear cutting and large scale damming projects. The group included wealthy men like J.P. Morgan (1837-1913), who owned many of the private estates or game parks in the Adirondacks which they sought to protect. [http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=12519 WOODRUFF PLAYGROUND - Historical Sign ] ]

From 1896 to 1908, he served as the First President of the Adelphi College Board of Trustees. [ [http://www.adelphi.edu/about/honorees.php Adelphi Traditions: Adelphi University ] ] In 1908 Timothy L. Woodruff stepped down from the position but was an active member until 1913.

Personal life

Before becoming Lieutenant Governor, Woodruff bought a hunting cabin on Sumner Lake in the Adirondacks and re-named the lake after his wife, Cora. Over time the evolution of the name became Lake Kora. After purchasing the area, Woodruff decided to develop a camp around the area, and name it Kamp Kill Kare where he was an active fisher. The current location of the area is in Hamilton County town of Long Lake, New York [http://adkattic.blogspot.com/2006_04_01_archive.html] .

Woodruff also built a "Dutch Colonial" home in Garden City, New York on Stewart Avenue.

Death

Woodruff died on October 12, 1913 at the age of 55. Recalling his days as New York State Governor, Theodore Roosevelt stated "He was my staunch friend throughout the term of our joint service."

Notes