Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1906-02-16
DR.. L. N. WOODS is DEAD
WeII-KnOwn Physician Passes Away
After Brief Illness, at the Age
OF II Years.

the base OF the brain. He had been
in failing health for several years,
but had been able to attend to his
professional duties, and it was only a
few days before his death that his
condition caused him to give up his
office work. His last illness was of a
very serious nature from the begin
ming, and in spite cf his remarkable
vitality and the best efforts Of his
physicians, he sank rapidly and re-
mained in semi-conscious state until
the end came at II o'clock Monday
morning All of the members of his
family, except his son Frank. were at
his bedside when he died.
Dr. Woods was born in GreenviIle,
Pennsylvania, on the 10th OF October,
1885. He received an excellent edu-
cation at Kingsville Institute, in
Kingsville, Ohio, and upon finishing
his course, engaged in school teach
ing, at which profession he was very
successful. He afterwards took up
the study of medicine, and was gradu-
ated from Buffalo Medical College in
Buffalo, N. Y. He lived in Turner's
vile, Pa, two years, and then moved
to Wheatland, Pa, where he practiced
for17 years. He was Mayor Burgess)
of Wheatland several terms, and for
ten years was surgeon OF the Penn
sylvania Railroad Company. He was
married to Miss Sarah J. Nelson on
October IL, 1856.
DR.. Woods came to Dallas 20 years
ago and purchased a drug store,
which he conducted in connection with
his practice for several years. He
then sold the store and devoted his
whole time to his professional work
He was successful practitioner, and
at one time his practice extended over
the entire western portion Of Polk
county. AS age came on, he devoted
his attention largely to his Office and
city practice, leaving the more active
work to younger men in the profess
sion. He served several terms as
Coroner of Polk county, and, at the
tine Of his death, was a member Of
the County Board Of Pension Ex-
aminers.
He is survived by his aged wife and
five children-Frank @. Woods, of
Vancouver, B. c.; M. V. Woods, Of
Tacoma, Wash. I. N. Woods, Of
Dallas; John Woods, of Ludlow, CAL,
and Mrs. John D. Holman, Of Dallas.
DR.. Woods was fine type of the
self-sacrificing country physician who
places his sympathy for suffering
humanity far above his own personal
comfort, and to whom money is a
second consideration when pain and
suffering are to be alleviated. To the
poor and needy, he gave his services
freely and cheerfully, often braving
hardships and exposure in making
long night rides into the country to
visit patients from whom he never
expected cent of pay. AS is so often
the case with men of his profession,
he lost thousands Of dollars during
his lifetime through his refusal to en-
force the collection of just debts due
him for fear of working a hardship
upon some needy family. Not good
business, surely, when measured by
coId-blooded business standards, but
counting for much when measuring
mans love for his fellow men. The
silent tears coursing down the cheeks
of men and women from the humber
walks of life, as the last tribute Of
respect was being paid to the dead
friend and physician, Tuesday after
noon, betokened many an unforgotten
kindness, and eloquently bore witness
to the truth that there is legacy that
is better than great riches.
DR.. Woods had a high conception
of the duties Of physician, and was
a close observer of the ethics of his
profession. He was ever courteous in
his treatment of his brother physi-
clans. and was held by them in the
highest friendship and esteem. He
was especially kind to young practi-
tioners, and there are many doctors
in Oregon today who are glad to tell
that they owe to him the beginning Of
their success. He possessed sunny
nature, was fond of a joke, and en-
joyed the companionship of his friends
and neighbors. HIS familiar figure
will be sadly missed on our streets,
and the people Of Dallas will be lone
some without him.
The funeral services were conducted
from the First Presbyterian church,
Tuesday afternoon, and were largely
attended, all the principal business
houses having been closed for the
hour. The services were conducted
by Rev. Z. J. Thompson, D. D., Of
Independence, an old-time friend Of
the deceased, assisted by the pastor,
Rev. D. Julian Becker. Appropriate
music was rendered by a selected
choir. The remains we're laid to rest
in the Odd Fellows cemetery.