My Genealogy Hound

Richard C. Woods, nurseryman and fruit grower, was born in Centre County, Penn., January 27, 1821. His grandfather, George Woods, left England and crossed the ocean to America before the Revolutionary War. He located in Centre County, Penn., and was one of the first settlers of the county. He owned the greater part of Woods Township, which was afterward changed to Gregg Township, and was one of the leading men of the county. He left each of his children a good farm at his death. John Woods, father of Richard C., was reared in Centre County, Penn., and in 1804 he married Miss Mary Woods and settled on a farm in Centre County. She was born in Cumberland County, Penn., and was of English descent. Seven children were born to their marriage, six sons and one daughter, Richard C. being the only one now living. John Woods was one of the leading farmers and millers of the county, owning and operating a large saw-mill, woolen mill and carding machines. He died in 1821. His widow remained on the old home place, and reared her family. She died in 1841. Richard C. Woods attended the common schools of Pennsylvania, and took a full literary course at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1848. In 1841 he began teaching school, and after finishing at college he made teaching his profession. He taught one year in the graded schools of Birmingham, Penn., and then moved to Indiana, where he taught one year in the Brownstown Seminary. He taught in the graded schools of that State for four years, and then moved to Illinois, and located in Clay County, where he served as deputy circuit clerk for four years. In 1861 he married Miss Abigail Carr, a native of Washington County, Ind., and the daughter of Elijah Carr. This union was blessed by the birth of two children, George E. and Ida V. Mr. Woods followed farming in Illinois for a number of years, and then moved to Missouri and located on the farm where he now lives, in Lawrence County. He here engaged in fruit growing and nursery business. During the last few years he has devoted most of his time to the growing of the various kinds of small fruits. He has forty acres of land two miles southeast of Mount Vernon, most of which he has in fruit, thirty acres set to apple trees, and has the largest orchard in the county; he makes a specialty of raising the finest varieties of fruit.