Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-01-19

= ACS4SA8AAHC C4ICCE II AMAS
State-Twice Speaker of the House
of Delegates.
Hon. Joseph Jacob Woods died at the
City Hospital at $50 o'clock yesterday
morning. in the forty-ninth year of his
age, after long suffering from a COM
plfcation OF diseases which incapacitat-
ed him from active participation in pub
lie affairs or the practice of his profess
sion His death removes enc of the
best known and most popular citizens
Of the county, and a Democrat who for
twenty years stood high in the councils
of the party. and who was its favored
representative In the Legislature of the
State. The funeral will take place Sat
urday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the
family residence at Woodsdale, the in
terment being at Stone Church ceme-
terry, Elm Grove.
Joseph Jacob Woods was a descend
ant of one of the pioneer families of
Ohio county, and his ancestors were
long residents of the State of Virginia,
his great grandfather, Andrew Woods.
being Sheriff of Botetourt county under
a commission signed by Patrick Henry,
and bearing date October Is, 1777. His
grandfather was a Revolutionary sol
der when still a boy, and was wounded
at the siege of Yorktown In 1890 he,
with two brothers, penetrated the then
almost UNEMPLOYED West" and settled
On land two miles east Of the present
city Of Wheeling, which land is still in
the possession of the family, and which
has lately been sub-divided and is now
the location of many handsome resi-
dences. The grandfather Of the de-
ceased, Col. Archibald Woods, died in
1S47, at the advanced age of e~ighty-ive
years. OF his children one of the
youngest was John Woods, born in
1907, a farmer throughout his life. His
wife was Ruth H., daughter Of DIR.
Joseph Jacob, and of this union six
children were born, among them Joseph
Jacob Woods, on December 10, 1851.
His early education was received in a
country school, and later in the schools
of this city. He passed a year at
Washington and Jefferson College, and
then entered Princeton College, where
he graduated in 1872. Having an incli-
nation for the law, he entered the Of
flee of Judge James PAUL., where he
studied until Judge PAUL was called
to the Supreme Bench, when MIR. Woods
finished his legal studies in the Office
of J.. Fl. Good. In 1874 he was admit
ted to the bar, forming a partnership
thereafter with Nh. Good, which con-
tinued until the death Of the latter.
Mr.. Woods early took an active inter
est in politics, and was chosen a MEM
Der of the Senate in the Legislature OF
1879-'S1, serving with signal ability.
In 1883 he was chosen to the House of
Delegates from Ohio county, over which
body he presided as speaker, and again
in 1886 he was chosen for a second
term to the House. His legislative ex-
~perience made him a very valuable
member, and he served on the Commit
tees on Judiciary, Elections, Private
Corporations, Joint Stock Companies,
Forfeited and U~nappropriated Lands,
and Rules. In 1888 Mr. Woods was again
returned to the House, and he was
again chosen Speaker, without notable
opposition, filing the responsible Office,
as upon the previous occasion, with
ability and a just regard for the best
interests of the people of the whole
State. After his retirement from this
last legislative service Mr.. Woods prac-
ticed his profession Of law but little,
and falling health finally compelled an
almost total cessation of active busi-
ness. He was a daily visitor to the
city, however, and his interest in pub
lie affairs was keen and intelligent, and
his advice upon matters of moment
was often sought. His death, when an
nounced yesterday, was widely and
generally regretted by all classes Of our
citizens.