Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Woods, Charles H 
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Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 2, 2008, 2:52 am

Author: Past & Present Will County, 1907

Charles H. Woods, an extensive farmer of Wilmington township, operating at the 
present time about four hundred acres of land, was formerly a breeder of 
Poland China hogs and polled Durham and shorthorn cattle. He was born in New 
Haven, Connecticut, March 31, 1853, a son of John and Catherine (McCabe) 
Woods, the former a native of County Cavan, Ireland. They were married in that 
country, where they lived until after the birth of their eldest child, when, 
in 1838, they emigrated to the new world on an old-time sailing vessel, which, 
after a long and tedious voyage of six weeks finally reached the harbor of New 
York. After spending about three weeks in New York city, the family made their 
way to Hartford, Connecticut, where they lived for one year, subsequent to 
which time they removed to New Haven, where they spent some sixteen years. The 
father was ticket agent at the latter place for the Hartford & Springfield 
Railroad Company. Hoping to enjoy better business advantages in the new west, 
he then removed with his family to Will county, the year of their arrival here 
being 1855. After spending a short time in Wilmington, he removed to a farm of 
eighty acres which he had purchased, this being located five miles northwest 
of Wilmington. The land was all wild and unimproved when it came into his 
possession, and with the use of ox teams he soon broke the land and placed his 
fields under cultivation. He also erected a house, in which the family lived 
in true pioneer style, enduring all the hardships and privations incident to 
an existence upon the frontier. He prospered in his work and from time to time 
added to his landed possessions until at one time he owned four hundred acres 
in Will county. He was actively engaged in farming pursuits until 1881, when 
he retired from agricultural life and engaged in loaning money. He was a man 
highly respected in the community where he lived, and was a Jacksonian 
democrat but never cared for public office, as his time was fully occupied 
with his private business affairs. He was a communicant of St. Rosa Catholic 
church, at Wilmington. His death occurred December 13, 1893, when he had 
reached the advanced age of eighty-three years, while his wife, surviving for 
only a short period, passed away October 3, 1894, when seventy-three years of 
age. Of the four children born of the father's marriage, Charles H. Woods is 
the younger of the two surviving members, his brother being George Woods. 
Charles H. Woods was only two years of age when brought by his parents from 
his native state to Will county. He was reared to farm life, assisting his 
father in the operation of the homestead property, and in the common schools 
of Wilmington township acquired his education. He remained under the parental 
roof until he was married February 14, 1877, to Miss Mary E. Riley, who was 
born in Channahon township, Will county, August 27, 1854. Her parents, Thomas 
and Catherine (Carroll) Riley, were both natives of Roscommon county, Ireland, 
the latter a daughter of Patrick and Winnie (McGraw) Carroll, who emigrated 
from the old world to this country at an early day. Mr. Carroll lies buried in 
Vermont, while his wife was buried in Dresden Hill, Will county. He was a 
large landowner of Will county. His family numbered eleven sons and two 
daughters, including Mrs. Riley. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Riley were born four 
sons and three daughters, namely: Mary E., now Mrs. Woods; Margaret, who 
married James Martin, a resident of Channahon township; Bernard P.; Catharine; 
Thomas, who makes his home in Chicago; Michael, a resident of Channahon 
township; and James, also a resident of that township. The father emigrated to 
the new world on a sailing vessels when a youth of nineteen years. Arriving at 
Quebec, Canada, he there remained for nine years, after which he made his way 
to Boston, Massachusetts, where he spent two or three years, subsequent to 
which time he took up his abode in Vermont. Later, having heard favorable 
reports concerning the advantages to be enjoyed in the new and rapidly 
developing west, he came to Will county in 1838, locating on a farm in 
Channahon township. He purchased wild land, which he broke and developed with 
the use of ox teams. He also erected a house, the lumber used in its 
construction being made from the trees which he cut on his own land. He spent 
his entire life as a farmer, and gave his political support to the principles 
of democracy, although he never cared for office for himself. He was one of 
the first members of the Roman Catholic church at Dresden Hill. He was married 
after coming to this state, the wedding being celebrated at Joliet. His death 
occurred in Will county, December 11, 1890, when he had reached the age of 
seventy-three years, while his widow survived until 1905, passing away on the 
16th of March of that year, being at that time seventy-five years of age. They 
were honored and respected pioneer settlers of this section of the state and 
were numbered among Will county's best citizens. Following his marriage 
Charles H. Woods began farming on his own account and at the present time is 
operating four hundred acres of land in Wilmington township. In former years 
he was also an extensive breeder of Poland China hogs, shorthorn and polled 
Durham cattle. In 1888 he built an elevator at Blodgett, and was engaged in 
the grain business until October, 1906, when he rented his elevator to William 
Shoemaker, who is now conducting business there, and Mr. Woods now gives his 
entire time and attention to his farming interests, in which he is meeting 
with very gratifying and desirable results, making him one of the prosperous 
and well-to-do farmers of Wilmington township. Unto our subject and his wife 
have been born eight children, as follows: John, who died at the age of twenty-
four years; George; Catherine; James, who died when a youth of sixteen; 
Charles, Mary, Margaret and Francis, all still under the parental roof. Mr. 
Woods gives his political support to the men and measures of democracy and is 
a communicant of St. Rosa Catholic church at Wilmington, while in his 
fraternal relations he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, 
belonging to River camp, No. 142, at Wilmington. While a public-spirited 
citizen, he has never cared for the honors and emoluments of office, 
preferring to concentrate his time upon his private business interests. He is 
wide-awake and progressive, and he and his family have a wide circle of 
friends, to whom the hospitality of their own pleasant home is freely and 
graciously accorded.

Additional Comments:
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the 
Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1907

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