My Genealogy Hound

FRANCIS M. WOODS, farmer, P. O. Russellville. Michael Woods, father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania. When a youth he emigrated to Maysville, Ky., but owing to the depredations committed by the Indians, remained there but a short time. He then moved into the neighborhood of Augusta, Ky., where he remained till about the year 1800, when he came to Ohio. Before starting for Ohio, he married Miss Hester Bowman, by whom he had twelve children, seven of whom are still living. The goods which this couple brought with them to Ohio were all done up in a “red cotton handkerchief,” with the exception of the wearing material worn by them. They settled on the waters of Eagle Creek, in what is now known as Byrd Township, Brown Co., Ohio, The country at that time was comparatively an unbroken forest. The dresses worn by his good wife were made of wild nettles, gathered by her own hands. He continued in his peaceful vocation until the breaking-out of the war of 1812, in which he served as a Captain. He served for about sixteen years as Justice of the Peace for Byrd Township, and as Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for perhaps seven years. His success in a certain measure perhaps may be attributed to his wife, for after her marriage she taught him to read, write and spell. He was a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, serving for a number of years as class-leader. The Scriptures were read, and prayer offered daily in his house, and frequently for many years he had preaching at his house. He lived the greater part of his life in the neighborhood of where he first settled, and died about 1874 or 1875, having survived his wife but a few years. Francis M., one of the sons of Michael Woods, and subject of this sketch, was born in October, 1819, in Brown County, Ohio, and in his youth was trained to the pursuits of farming. He received a good English education, and subsequently taught school for perhaps five years. In October, 1846, he married Miss Hannah W. Cappel, daughter of Daniel and Martha Cappel. To them have been born twelve children, ten of whom are still living, viz.: Daniel H., Rachel A., Martha L., Caroline A., Sarah D., Michael S., Thomas R., Hester V., Mary F. and Emma K. After his marriage, he moved to Lewis County, Ky., where he remained for twenty-one years. In 1854-55, he served in the Kentucky House of Legislature. He also served as Deputy Sheriff for Lewis County. In 1870, he moved to his farm near Russellville, Brown Co., Ohio, where he still resides. He has served as Trustee for Jefferson Township. He is a gentleman of more than ordinary intellectual capacity, of a frank open nature, and a good conversationalist. His political views are Democratic; he is a member of the Russellville Lodge of the F. & A. M., and the owner of 101 acres of land. He is recognized as one of the leading and most intelligent agriculturists of Jefferson Township.