JOHN WOODS, a pioneer settler of Chartiers township, was born November 23, 1817, a grandson of John Woods, a native of Ireland, who was there married to Mary Allen. They soon afterward immigrated to America, first locating in Westmoreland county, Penn., thence proceeding to Mt. Pleasant township, Washington Co., Penn., and then moved to North Strabane township, whence they finally came to the farm in Chartiers township, now owned by their grandson John, where they kept a tavern. The grandfather was a member of the Seceder Church, and both he and his wife died in this county, leaving a family of children, among whom was the father of our subject, Nathaniel. Nathaniel Woods was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., and coming to Washington county in early manhood, was there united in marriage with Elizabeth Updegraff, born in the Shenandoah Valley, Loudoun county, VA. Her paternal grandfather had also been a native of Virginia, and coming to Chartiers township had made his permanent home in this county, where his children afterward settled. After his marriage Nathaniel Woods settled in Chartiers township, where the following children were born and reared: John, Margaret (who died in Cincinnati, Ohio), Mary (deceased), Nathaniel (living in Chartiers township, was a soldier in the Mexican war), Kate (living in Washington borough), Henry (deceased in 1852, a soldier of the Mexican war) and Elizabeth (residing in Washington). Mr. Woods was a farmer and distiller, and in politics voted the Democratic ticket. He was a soldier under Gen. Harrison in the war of 1812. On March 2, 1836, he was laid to rest, and was followed by his widow in 1885. John Woods was reared on his father's farm, and received a limited education in the schools of Chartiers township. He then learned the trade of a painter, continuing in that work over forty years. In 1857 John Woods was married to Amanda Dickson, a native of Washington county, Ohio, and a daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth (Snyder) Dickson, who were natives of Virginia, but settled in Ludlow township, Washington Co., Ohio, in an early day, where the remainder of their lives was passed. After his marriage Mr. Woods settled on the farm in Chartiers township, where he yet resides. His wife died January 26, 1890, leaving five children, namely: Maggie (living in Pittsburgh, Penn.); Mary (wife of Edward Timmons, of Chartiers township); Henry (living in Canonsburg); Anna (Mrs. Rankin Zerba, of Clermont, Penn.), and John. Mr. Woods has followed his trade the greater part of his life, together with managing a farm. He has been a member of the Republican party since its first organization, and cast a vote for William Henry Harrison; he has served three or four years as township assessor, and has also filled several other offices of trust. Mrs. Woods was an earnest worker and member in the Cross Roads Presbyterian Church.

Text taken from page 943 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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