Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Woods, John 1836 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 10, 2007, 2:03 am

Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

JOHN WOODS, an old and well-known resident of Joliet, came West in a prairie 
schooner with his parents in 1842. He was then a mere child, born December 11, 
1836, in Mercer County, Pa. The family located in Pike County, this State, but 
seven years later they removed to Galesburg, Knox County, where John obtained 
his education, completing his studies in Knox Academy. He learned the printing 
business with C. R. Fisk, and subsequently worked on the Oquawka Spectator. 
His father in the meantime purchased the Free Democrat office at Galesburg, 
whereupon John went to work for him. When the latter disposed of his paper in 
1858, John opened a job office. Mr. Woods, in 1860, removed to Winchester, 
Scott County, where, in company with C. J. Sellon, he published a Republican 
paper during the Lincoln campaign. After the election it was abandoned and Mr. 
Woods then went to Springfield. On the 1st of April, 1861, he decided to take 
Mr. Greeley's advice "Go West young man," and crossing the Mississippi located 
in Page County, Iowa, and commenced farming. Upon the breaking out of the 
Civil War he, in company with others, organized a company of Home Guards, and 
on July 4, they organized a regiment, the First Iowa Militia, of which Mr. 
Woods was appointed Adjutant. In September following this regiment volunteered 
under Col. Cramer and went into Missouri as far as St. Joseph. Adj. Woods, 
however, on the disbandment of the regiment the following month, returned to 
Springfield, Ill., and entered the Quartermaster's department as a clerk under 
Capt. Bailhache. In 1862, in connection with Tom Lewis and his brother, he 
established a daily paper, the Union Herald. Subsequently they attempted to 
transfer this to Memphis, Tenn., but did not succeed. The office, however, was 
removed to Cairo, in August, 1803, but its politics being changed from 
Republican to Democratic Mr. Woods withdrew. In 1865 our subject purchased a 
printing office at Cairo, Ill., which he conducted two years, and in 1867 
repaired to Belleville, this State, and became manager of the Weekly Advocate, 
with which he remained for a period of ten years. In 1879 he came to Joliet 
with his brother and purchased the Republican, which they conducted until 
1883. Mr. Woods was appointed Postmaster of Joliet, by President Arthur, 
through the recommendation of Congressman Cullen and others, his commission 
bearing date March 3, 1883, and during his term secured the establishment of 
the free delivery system for the city. In recommending letter carriers for 
appointment, however, he did not see fit to consult the wishes of the local 
leaders of the party then in power, which act gave color for the charge 
of "offensive partisanship" under President Cleveland's dictum, and resulted 
in the suspension of the offending Postmaster four months before the 
expiration of his term. He then formed a partnership with H. N. Marsh in the 
real-estate and insurance business. Mr. Woods was married in Springfield, 
Ill., August 6, 1863, to Miss Jennie M. Dunn. There have been born to them 
four children, one of whom is deceased. The survivors are Charles Holcomb, 
William W., and Asa. Mr. Woods stands high in Masonic circles, having attained 
to the Master and Royal Arch degrees at Belleville, where he served as 
Worshipful Master and High Priest. He received the Knight Templar Orders at 
Joliet and belongs to Commandery No. 4. He is serving his third term as High 
Priest of Joliet Chapter, No. 27, and has been an active promoter of the 
Masonic Temple enterprise, which magnificent building is now nearing 
completion.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 

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