WOODS, JAMES A. — Farmer, section 16, P. O. Tyner. Was born
in Ross county, Ohio, February 2, 1806, and was raised -there till he reached
his majority, at farming as an occupation, which he has since followed as his
principal vocation. In 1830 he emigrated to the then Territory of Michigan and
remained for three years and then came on to Elkhart, Indiana, and from there
came to this county in 1854, purchasing 160 acres, which now constitutes a part
of his present homestead, from Daniel Underhill. He has now 193 acres in a
well-improved farm. Since a resident of the township he has held the office of
justice of the peace for several terms, township trustee and various other
minor offices. He was married in Ohio, September 13, 1828, to Miss Annie
Ritchart, of Ross county, Ohio. They have a family of three sons and three
daughters living: Elizabeth, Rachel, James A., Lucy, Joseph H. and Thomas. His
father was from Ireland and his mother was a native of Virginia, but of Welsh
and English origin. He had two sons in the late war: J. L., who enlisted in
company E, Third Iowa, in April, 1861, and was killed at the battle of Shiloh;
Joseph H. enlisted in company K, Sixteenth Iowa, February 22, 1862, and served
till the close of the war.
SOURCE: Union Historical Company, The History of
Polk County, Iowa, p. 1021
