William F. Woods Biography from History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by MLM, Volunteer 0000130. For the current email address, please go to http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00001.html#0000130 Copyright. All rights reserved. ************************************************************************ Full copyright notice - http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm USGenWeb Archives - http://www.usgwarchives.net ************************************************************************ Surname: WOODS Source: History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens by Charles A. Hazlett, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill., 1915 Page 794 WILLIAM F. WOODS, a prominent merchant of Portsmouth, N. H., dealing in harness, bicycles and auto supplies, and who is also chief of the Portsmouth Fire Department, was born in England, October 20, 1877, a son of John and Eliza (Lowden) Woods. The father of our subject, John Woods, was an English farmer who later went into mer- cantile business in his native land. He died in 1911. William F. was one of a family of eight full brothers and sisters, besides seven half brothers and sisters. When but three years old he accompanied his parents to America, they landing at Boston, Mass., whence they came to Portsmouth. He was educated in the public schools of this city. In 1893 he began to learn the trade of harness maker, at which he worked as a journeyman for a number of years, establishing his present busi- ness in 1909. In 1912 he was appointed chief of the Portsmouth Fire Department, in which office he has since served with credit. His store is located at No. 22 Congress street, and in addition to the lines of busi- ness above mentioned, he deals also in sporting goods and does repairing of various kinds. His stock is taxed at $5,000 and he gives employment to six people. He is a member of the order of Elks and of the Royal Arcanum. In politics he is independent. Mr. Woods married Carrie A. Ridge, a daughter of Charles A. Ridge. He and his wife are members of the Advent church. The family resi- dence is located at No. 112 New Castle Avenue, Portsmouth.