Isaac Newton Woods

WOODS

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 6/1/2010 at 19:04:05

The raising of live stock features as one of the chief activities on the farm of Isaac Newton Woods, who lives on section 36 Peoples township, where he owns 60 acres of land that is rich and arable and which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. A native of Boone county, Mr Woods was born in Cass township, December 5, 1850, a son of John Woods, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, I 1824. The father possessed marked mechanical ability and built a mill dam at what was then known as Elk Rapids, completing the work in its entirety. He married Susannah Rhodes also a native of Highland county, Ohio and after living for a number of years in Boone county they removed to Kansas, where their last days were spent. It was in the year 1849 that they arrived in Iowa just three year after the admission of the state into the Union. They made the overland trip to Cass township, where they took up their abode upon a farm, at which period there were few settlements in this part of the state. All around them was wild, unbroken prairie covered with the native grasses that grew to great height. In the winter seasons there was a broad, unbroken, dazzling sheets of snow. It required much arduous labor to break the sod and develop the fields, but the work was resolutely carried forward by the early settlers, whose trading post was at Des Moines or rather at Fort Des Moines, for at that time the settlements were all along the river, which was their only means of transportation except by private conveyance, so that the early settlers naturally took up their abode along the streams.
Mr and Mrs John Woods has a family of eleven children: W W who is now residing in Kansas, Isaac N of this review, Daniel W, Louis and Joseph Henry, how deceased, Mrs Anna Miller, who resides in Portland, Oregon, Mrs Susan Carroll a resident of Woodward, Iowa, Sarah Elizabeth who died in infancy, Mrs Maggie Heath, of Portland, Oregon, Mrs Emma Cooper of Portland, Oregon, and Mrs Hattie Meir of Kansas. With exception of the eldest, all were born in Boone county and all were reared here, attending the public schools.
Isaac Newton Woods had the usual experiences of the farm lad who acquires a public school education through attendance during the winter seasons and gains practical knowledge of farm labor through work the fields during the summer months. He was a student of the schools at Elk Rapids, and throughout his entire life he has continued his residence in Boone county, where he has followed farming and stock raising since attaining man’s estate.
He was married in Dallas county, Iowa, December 3, 1873 to Miss Laura A Guthrie, who was born in Richland county, Ohio August 12, 1853. Her parents came overland to Dallas county in 1854 and settled upon a farm. Her father Francis E Guthrie was born in Richland county, Ohio April 8, 1810, and died in Dallas county, Iowa March 5, 1875. His wife who bore the maiden name of Matilda E Stuart, a native of New York was born January 15, 1813, and her last days were spent in Dallas county, where she passed away February 27, 1887. There were nine children in the Guthrie family, of whom three are living: Mrs Elinor Russell, who was born August 31, 1838, and resides in Denver, Colorado, Mrs Anna Wallace, w ho was born on March 2, 1840, and passed away March 29, 1891, Wesley born November 20, 1842 who enlisted as a member of Company B, Fifteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry on October 15, 1861 and died in the army on June 11, 1862, James Harvey, born August 4, 1844, who enlisted for service in the Union army in the Tenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and while at the front contracted the measles, from which he never fully recovered his death taking place February 27, 1889, Sarah whose birth occurred September 16, 1846, and who passed away August 22, 1849, William Scott born July 22, 1850 who resides at Adel and serves as treasurer of Dallas county, Iowa an infant which died on the day of its birth June 29, 1852, Mrs Laura A Woods and George Washington who was born April 21, 1856, and died at Denver, Colorado on December 2, 1886. All were born in Ohio except he youngest whose birth occurred in Dallas county, where the family were reared, the sons and daughter attending the public schools near the old homestead. Mr and Mrs Guthrie were among the most highly esteemed pioneer residents of Dallas county.
Unto Mr and Mrs Woods have been born three children: Lottie Evelyn, who was born August 25, 1874, and died in Peoples township March 18, 1897, George Clyde, who was born September 22, 1878, and is residing with his parents of the farm, and Mrs Bessie M Chandler, who was born July 25, 1887, and makes her home in Dallas county. The last named has two daughters Ireta, who was born in Boone county July 7, 1910, and June born in Dallas county, June 28, 1912. The family home is situated on section 36, Peoples township, the farm comprising 60 acres of good land which responds readily to the care and cultivation bestowed upon it. Mr Woods also raises a good grade of live stock. This activity, however has not been confined merely to lines contributing to his individual success. He has done a valuable work of a public character but he has never consented to hold office, although many times solicited to do so. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party, and he and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. His influence is always on the side of right reform, progress and improvement and his work is widely acknowledged.

1914 Boone County History Book