The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-29
LIFE OF JUDGE WOODS.
He Overcame Many Difficulties and
Attained Eminence.

William Allen Woods was born May 16
1884, near Pennington. Marshall county
Tennessee. He was the son of a Presby-
terian clergyman. who died June 30 1887, at
the age OF twenty-six years. In 1Si7 he re-
moved with stepfather. who died within
the year, to Davis county. Iowa. In 1856
he matriculated in Wabash College, where
he graduated in 1859. and remained as tutor
for the following year. He was teacher at
Marion. Ind. 1S60-6l.
After the battle of Bull Run he enlisted
for service in the Union army, but by rea-
son of accidental injury (to FOOT was
compelled 10 cancel his enlistment. He was
admitted to the bar in December, 1851. He
located at Goshen. Ind, on March IL 1862
lie was elected member of the State Leg
islature In 1S66 and served during the ses-
sion OF 1867. He was elected circuit Judge
for the Thirty-fourth judicial circuit of the
State in 1873, at a special election. and I'm
1878 was reelected without opposition. He
was elected a judge of the Supreme Court
of the State in 1850 and served on that
bench from January, 1881, to May s, 1888,
thur a United States district Judge for the
District of Indiana, and, without waiting
for the confirmation, which came at the
next session of Congress, he took the oath
OF office. In December, 1889. he was nom-
mated by President Harrison. and on
March IL 1892, was confirmed and commits
Seventh circuit, under the act of March 3,
1891. creating United States Circuit Courts
of Appeals, OF which court, since March 4,
1893. he has been the senior, and. conse
quently. the presiding judge, his associates
being United States Circuit Judges Jas. G.
Jenkins and John w. Showalter.
HARD TIME IN EARLY LIFE.
From the date OF his birth to his full
manhood Judge Woods never saw the easy
side of life. For two years after his step
father died he carried on the farm success
fully against all the difficulties of farming
in that then new country. After the death
of his stepfather he determined TO paddle
his own canoe. His mother gave him s.,
two shirts and her blessing. and he started
out TO make his way In the world.
His first employment was at a sawmill,
driving two yoke of oxen to a log wagon.
An acquaintance declares that at that time
his command of the special vernacular Of
the OK driver was equal to that of the old
est bullwhacker on the frontier. For time
he lived near Troy. Ia. and attended winter
school until the town became infected with
TO the building fund, and paid his subscrip-
tion by carrying brick and mortar. When
the school opened he entered as a student.
and IN time became an assistant teacher.
REFUSED TO SELL a SLAVE.
Although his grandfathers were slave
holders. his father and stepfather were
anti-slavery in sentiment, and he became
a practical Aboltionist. a slave girl. given
TO his mother by her father. upon her mar
riage. had. thereby. become the property
of his father. but by his fathers last will
she was TO have her freedom when she
should arrive at the age Of twenty-one.
The girl married. and before she was en-
titled 10 freedom gave birth 10 boy, who
was left as a slave In Tennessee In 1Sf7,
the mother going with the family TO Iowa.
AS the boy grew he became valuable as
human chattels were valued BY the time
Judge Woods was half through college he
was compelled 10 borrow money in order
10 finish the course. and IL was suggested
70 him that several hundred dollars could
be raised by selling the black boy. He de-
ciined positively 10 profit In that way,