My Genealogy Hound

JOHN S. WOODS. In every locality reside those who have successfully accomplished their life work and have earned a season of rest. This is the case with Mr. Woods, who is now over seventy-five years of age; He has been before the public as Assessor of Pettis County, to which position he was elected in 1886, on the Republican ticket. He is now living in Cedar Township, on a fine estate which he has operated for the past ten years.

A native of Pennsylvania, our subject was born in Cumberland County, July 1, 1819. There his father, Joseph Woods, was a well-to-do farmer. The latter was also a Pennsylvanian by birth, as was likewise the mother, whose maiden name was Agnes Crosson. In the year 1828 Joseph Woods, with his family, left the old homestead and moved to Richland County, Ohio, locating on land near Lexington. There he prosecuted his chosen vocation, but his life was cut short in the spring of 1844, when he was outworking on his estate, being killed by a falling tree. His widow died near Bellevue, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Sarah J. Bell, at the remarkable age of ninety-five years.

John S. remained an inmate of the parental household until the time of his marriage, which important event was solemnized April 23, 1844, at the home of his bride, Miss Sarah Ann Bowles, near Bellevue, Ohio, near which place he owned a good farm. Soon after establishing a home of his own he engaged in the stock business on his own account, but four years later he removed from that locality to Erie County, Ohio. There he continued his operations for fourteen years, or until the spring of 1865, when he sold his property and went to Dubuque County, Iowa. There he became interested in the stock business and lived for two years. In the fall of 1867 he sold out his stock farm, and coming to Pettis County engaged in the dairy business, following this branch of agriculture for some ten years. During this decade, however, he was raising stock in large quantities, making a specialty of Merino sheep. He later on disposed of his farm, and in the fall of 1886 was elected Assessor of Pettis County, on the Republican ticket. He filled the position acceptably for one term, but during the next campaign was defeated by his Democratic opponent. After returning to private life he again took up stock-raising and now operates one of the finest farms in Cedar Township. It is well adapted to the purpose for which it is used, and is conveniently located four miles north of Sedalia.

Mrs. Sarah Ann Woods, who was born August 12, 1826, was the daughter of Nathaniel Bowles, who was born in one of the New England States, and who died at the home of our subject. Mrs. Woods, who died of heart disease May 8, 1894, was a devoted member of the Congregational Church for nearly half a century, and the good which this kind woman accomplished in her neighborhood is incalculable. By her union with our subject there were born nine children, seven of whom are living at the present time. They are Porter B.; Harriet E., the wife of William Griggs; Sarah A., now Mrs. George Gaskell; Maria L., the wife of Cook Duncan; Martha E., the wife of Nathan G. Norton; John M. and Fred B., all of whom are now living in this county. One son and one daughter died in infancy. Mr. Woods, besides filling the office of County Assessor, has held many other offices of honor and trust, and is very prominent in local politics. He is a member of the First Congregational Church at Sedalia, in the work of which he is greatly interested, and is also an active Sunday-school worker.