Incoming, Business, 1940 (1 of 2)

The A.H. Woodward Series contains five subseries: Personal Correspondence, Business Correspondence, Business and Legal Papers, General Miscellany, and Publications.

The Personal Correspondence Subseries is divided into outgoing and incoming subseries. Outgoing correspondence is chronologically arranged. Incoming correspondence is arranged alphabetically according to person or company, then chronologically. It is important to note that because the Woodwards were involved in a family business, their correspondence will reflect both business and private concerns. Thus, a personal letter may briefly discuss business and a business letter may contain family and personal information as well. Outgoing personal correspondence is extensive, consisting of letters from A.H. Woodward to his parents, his wife Annie, and their children. Personal correspondence often includes business associates, making personal correspondence and business correspondence often difficult to differentiate. Incoming personal correspondence includes correspondence primarily from family and friends. "J.C. Lyons" is probably a nickname for daughter Eugenia.

Business Correspondence is the third subseries. Correspondence includes affairs of Woodward Iron Co., as well as the Birmingham Baseball Association and railroading. Of particular interest are accidents at the Woodward plant and construction of the Woodward Mansion. Incoming business correspondence is comprised of correspondence from business associates. The largest groups of correspondence are from First National Bank of Birmingham, Title Guarantee Loan and Trust, Wheeling Steel Corp and Woodward Iron Company. Correspondence directed to Woodward Iron Company's treasurer D. E. Wilson has been grouped together.

Mostly business related, the records in the Business and Legal Papers Subseries are organized by company and personal papers. Companies are alphabetically arranged, ending with Woodward Iron Company. Annual reports, financial statements, stock information, and often board meeting reviews are included among the companies' papers. Detailed information for Wheeling Steel Corporation is available from 1925-1950 and for Woodward Iron Company from 1912-1950. Arranged chronologically within each company.

The personal grouping includes ledgers, checkbooks, cancelled checks, and receipts. Income tax information is included. Also present are papers concerning construction of the Woodward Mansion on 4101 Altamont Avenue as well as J.H. Woodward Estate information. All are chronologically arranged, except receipts.

The General Miscellany Subseries includes maps and blueprints to patent ideas, photographs, and newspaper clippings. The clippings relate to baseball and personal and business endeavors. This is the only place to find information about the weddings of A.H. Woodward's daughters. Correspondence to his daughters, wife, and youngest son are included as well (chronological arrangement).

The Publications Subseries contains various and sundry publications collected by A.H. Woodward. Topics span from Woodward family history to iron making to railroads. Included is R.H. Banister's (president of Woodward Iron Company under A.H.) Industrial Scrapbook. Alphabetically arranged.

There are also two diaries, both from 1905. One is a pocket-sized, bound, dated notebook for recording given to him by his wife, while the other is more of a business notebook. Neither covers the entire year.