Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-04-10

al Mexican War Fame and After.
wards President-C Comes From a
Family Noted fer longevity.
something OF the Life of This Re
markable Woman.
l. is fact not generally known that
Wheeling has a centenarian. Mrs.
catherine Woods, the Oldest person in
Wheeling. and probably the Oldest
resident here, was hundred years
Ma oh the second day OF February.
gf.s. Woods makes her home with her
srshter, Mrs James Comerford. at
No. 1920 Chapline street. On Mrs.
Woods ninety ninth birthday the event
Mas celebrated by reunion of her
children and descendants, but her one
fundreGth birthday was not thus OBJ
Served as her health has been falling
somewhat during the last few months.
Although she has not left her rooms
lor soma time lately. yet Mrs. Woods
Il able 10 move about and is still in
nessessicn Of all her faculties. Her
mental powers are still clear and active,
and She is able to talk freely and in
tarestiugIy Of many events in her long
life and Of many happenings III history
during that time. She speaks very
often Of the Mexican war and OF affairs
III the country that were current
events in her lifetime. She was
personal friend Of Gen. Zachary Taylor,
tAe twelfth President. who came
through Wheeling at one time and
called TO SEES her. She still manifests
much interest in daily affairs, and
every day asks questions about the
Prospect Of war with Spain. Having
I lived through several wars, she looks
upon q war as one OF the worst disas-
tess that could come to the country,
! particularly to the working classes.
4 Ees remarkable memory is not only
Shown by her remembrance of past
events, blt is proved by We fact
thar she recites daily the prayers and
commandments Of the Episcopal prayer
Book and many passages OF Scripture,
learned by her many years ago.
Sic is a Protestant and OF a strong
religious character. Much of her time
az present is occupied in making re
lisl0us preparation for the end, which
is not far of and which she does net
lear. Mrs. Woods has always had good
health and has never known but one
serious illness in her life She mas
or,
Gently spent much of her time in sew
ing. knitting, etc. Her history. even
though briefly given. is interesting.
Ars, Woods maiden name was
Catherine Foster. She was born in
Northern Ireland. Her grandparents
were Scotch She lived at Donegal.
Ireland. until she was p years of age
when she came to Baltimore, this
country. Her parents were opposed
70 her coming to this country. and she
was compelled to run away from home
and came over with her aunt. The trip
across the ocean took seven weeks and
three DAYS
She made her home with her
aunt az Baltimore for about a
lear. When % years old she married
robert Woods, an English Quaker,
ana they came Immediately to Wheel
iag. This was nearly so years ago,
ild Alfs. Woods often speaks of the
@ip across the mountains by wagon,
which took three weeks time. At the
unle the couple came 10 Wheeling the
south Side was then used as a cow
PASTURE, People who lived north of
tfc creek owned cows and pastured
them or the South Side The only
bridge then across the creek was a
loose affair made of rough, unhewn
logs
Mrs. Woods husband was a con-
tractor and built many houses in
Wheeling and vicinity after locating
Eeie. He accumulated considerable
property and died in 1871. leaving his
widow and family we'll provided for
Ey This union four children were born,
three sons and a daughter. It is with
Ha latter, Mrs. Comerford, that Mrs.
Woods row resides The three sons
enc located in the west The oldest
child Is Charles r. Woods 10 years of
aga whose home is at St. Peters, Min
hesota Mrs Woods has also a large
number CT Grandchildren and great
grandchildren.
Mrs Woods descended from fam
r which has been. noted for lonSe-
yity Her grandparents lived to near
y q hundred years, and she had two
brothers who both lived beyond this
parol The oldest brother and the
oldest member Of her immediate fam
y died about nine years ago at the
extreme age of lei. Another brother,
Aylur Foster. died two years ago at
w Castle. Pa, at 100 years OF age.
Afs Woods never returned to her ma
tive home. and since her marriage has
resided all the time at Wheeling. ex-
cent brief residence at Cameron.
Clearance sale of Silverware at spec
Ia prices at