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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published by Biographical Review Publishing Company in 1896.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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CYRUS F. WOODS, a successful business man of Enfield, was born in Belchertown, December 23, 1825, son of Zenas and Abigail (Forbes) Woods. Mr. Woods’s grandfather, John Woods, served as a Corporal during the Revolutionary War; and his discharge from the Continental army, signed by General Washington, is now in the possession of his grandson. The family is of early Colonial origin. Mr. Woods treasures an old document relating to his ancestors, which bears the date of 1694. Zenas Woods, Mr. Woods’s father, was a native of New Braintree, Worcester County, Mass.; and his mother was born in Bridgewater, Mass.

Cyrus F. Woods commenced his education in the schools of his native town, and completed his studies at the Quaboag Seminary in Warren. At an early age he went to Springfield, Mass., where he was employed in the dry-goods store of Samuel Bailey, with whom he remained for four years. Then, in company with others, he engaged in the same line of trade. After an experience of a few months in this enterprise he disposed of his interest, and went to New York City, where he was a clerk in a wholesale dry-goods establishment for one year. In 1851 he returned to Enfield, started a general mercantile business, and successfully conducted it until 1866, when he sold out again, and went back to New York City. He next engaged in stock-broking in Wall Street, becoming familiar with the business methods of that centre of finance. Subsequently he was for some time Vice-President of the New York Mining Exchange and President of the Consolidated Clearing-house connected with that institution. He also interested himself in the construction of railroads, making contracts to build sections of Cayuga Lake Railway, the Rochester & Pittsburg line, and sections of the New York Central. He was successful in all of his business enterprises, and continued to reside in New York City until 1884, when he once more returned to Enfield, which has since been his home. He is now engaged in the lumber business, and, in company with A. J. N. Ward, is conducting an extensive and profitable enterprise. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and during the years of 1864 and 1865 he served as a member of the Board of Selectmen of Enfield.

Mr. Woods has been twice married. His first wife, whom he wedded in 1873, was Josephine K. Crane. She died in 1884, and in 1893 he married for his second wife Caroline D. Jones. He is a member of Dr. Hall’s Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City; and Mrs. Woods is a member of St. James Church in Philadelphia, of which the Rev. Dr. Blanchard is pastor. They occupy a handsome residence in the village, and Mr. Woods is a citizen of whom Enfield has every reason to be proud.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published in 1896. 

View additional Hampshire County, Massachusetts family biographies here: Hampshire County, Massachusetts Biographies

View a map of 1901 Hampshire County, Massachusetts here: Hampshire County Massachusetts Map

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