WOODS, Rodney P., Terrebonne then St. James Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Mike Miller ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** ************************************************ Woods, Rodney P., of Lutcher, was born at the plantation home of his parents in Terrebonne parish, near Schriever, La., April 5, 1878, and is a son of Rodney S. and Maggie (Pugh) Woods, natives, respectively, of Terrebonne parish, near Houma, and Assumption parish, near Paincourtville. The paternal grandparents, William and Phoebe (Fuqua) Woods, were born, respectively in Mississippi and South Carolina. The maternal grandparents, George W. and Susan Virginia (Moody) Pugh, were born, respectively, near Paincourtville, La., and near Williamsburgh, Va. The ancestors of the Woods family in Louisiana came originally from England and Ireland, and those of the Pugh family from England and Wales. Nine children were born to the parents of Rodney S. Woods, and 4 children to the parents of Maggie Pugh. Rodney S. was a law student at the University of Virginia at the time of the beginning of in the Civil war. He immediately returned to Terrebonne parish and enlisted in Capt. Rightor's company, which was the 2nd company to leave for the front from this state, in April, 1861, attached to Dreux's battalion, and commanded by Col. Charles Dreux, under Gen. Magruder. July 5, 1862, Col. Dreuix was killed in battle, on the peninsula in Virginia. In May of that year Capt. Rightor's company, with 3 other companies of Dreux's battalion, was disbanded and honorably discharged, the term for which its members had volunteered having expired. Rodney S. Woods returned to Louisiana with his comrades, but 6 weeks later joined Capt. McWaters' company and returned to the front. This company was raised under the Ranger Act, but became attached to the 2nd Louisiana volunteer cavalry, commanded by Col. Vincent of New Orleans, and in this connection Mr. Woods served until his command was surrendered, June 5, 1865, at Alexandria, La. He took part in all engagements in which this noted regiment participated during the war. After the surrender he returned to his Louisiana home and engaged in business as a sugar planter, so continuing until 1911, when he disposed of Ducro plantation, the family homestead, and moved his family to New Orleans, locating at 1130 Third street, where he has since lived in retirement. At this time Mr. Woods is in his 78th year and his wife in her 56th. Nine children have been born to their union, as follow: Rodney P., subject of this sketch; Van A., a graduate of the New Orleans College of Pharmacy, now living at Baton Rouge, La., married to Miss Will Keller, of East Feliciana parish, and father of 2 children; Mary Hampton, died at the age of 2 years; Sidney Randolph, educated at private schools in Thibodaux, a graduate of Soule' college, New Orleans, and now secretary-treasurer of the May & Ellis Co., New Orleans importers; Genn Owen, died in infancy; Maggie Pugh, educated at the convent school, Thibodaux, married to Dr. P. M. Berry, living in Mississippi, and the mother of 1 child; Durald Fuqua, a graduate of Louisiana State university and now in the service of the United States government as a civil engineer; Virginia Hill, educated at Thibodaux convent school and married to Biddle Wilkinson Allen, of the firm of Allen & Friedricks, New Orleans; John Reginald, now attending school at New Orleans. Rodney P. Woods was educated at Private schools in Thibodaux. In 1896, at the age of 19 years, he went to Lutcher and entered the service of J. L. Thompkins as bookkeeper and assistant postmaster, so continuing until the death of his employer in 1898, when the business was sold to Weill Brothers, of Lutcher. Mr. Woods was thereafter employed by Weill Brothers until 1900, when he accepted a position with the Lutcher & Moore Cypress Lumber Co., as assistant bookkeeper, to which he devoted his energies about 4 years. He was then promoted to the post of chief accountant, and after having discharged the duties of that station about 4 years was advanced to the responsible place of chief accountant and auditor. In 1909 he became a stockholder in the company, and in 1912 was made a member of the board of directors of the Lutcher & Moore Cypress Lumber Co. In Jan., 1914, he was promoted to the position of vice-president and manager, and remains incumbent of that office at this time. Mr. Woods is a man of many activities, important affairs, and substantial and complex business connections. He is a stockholder and director in the bank of St. James, a stockholder in the Delta Lumber Co., and his name appears among the lists of directors of a number of other corporations and enterprises of the first class. He affiliates with the democratic party, and although a very busy man he finds time to serve his neighbors in official capacities when duty seems to require such service of him. He is now serving his second term as a member of the police jury of St. James parish. Mr. Woods was reared in the Episcopal ch urch. H is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, and affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and Woodmen of the World. Nov. 15, 1900, Rodney P. Woods was married to Olive Edmonson, daughter of A. Edmonson of Moselle, Miss. Mrs. Woods' mother was a Miss Baylis before marriage. Mr. Edmonson is a Mississippi planter. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Woods, namely: Rodney Edmonson, now attending high school at Lutcher. Source: Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, volume 3, pp. 744-745. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit. D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.