Edward J. Woods 1855-1890

WOODS, ROBERTS

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/14/2011 at 23:59:25

Died
Woods – At his home in Estherville, on Tuesday morning, April 29th, Edward J. Woods, of dropsy of the heart.

Just as the first rays of sunlight peeped in at the window, Mr. Woods, one of our most esteemed and respected citizens, breathed his last. Another life has passed from our midst and our city is shrouded in gloom. Although expected for several days, when the sad news came and hope could no longer cling even to a shadow, it has cast its pall of sorrow over the hearts of all our people. In the homes that he will no longer visit, on the streets, in the places of business, men have walked more softly, and sorrow has marked every countenance. A beloved husband, father, son, brother and loved relative has been taken away and none but those who have passed the same ordeal and realize the pain that rends the heart of those who have been so cruelly smitten with this great affliction. He leaves behind a wife and two little children Hallie and Hazel.

Mr. Woods was born in England in 1856 [per cemetery records – 1855], and came to this country with his parents in 1857, locating in Canada. After a stay of two years they moved to New York and in 1861 came to Wisconsin and located near Sharon. In 1878 Mr. Woods engaged in business in Sheldon, O’Brien county, Iowa, and while there was appointed assistant commissioner for the Scottish American Land Company with headquarters in Emmetsburg. In 1882 he married Miss Kitty B. Roberts of Emmetsburg and moved to Estherville in 1884, where he has since resided. He has been cashier and manager of the Bank of Estherville and manager of the Emmet County Land agency at this place. He was president of the Estherville Foundry and Manufacturing Company and was also connected with numerous other enterprises and a leader in business in social circles. He joined the Congregational church in early life and since coming here united with the Episcopal church and has been an enthusiastic worker.

Mr. Woods was the oldest son in a family of seven boys and has been the first to be called away. His last hours were soothed by the kind care and watchfulness of the entire family. To day sorrow sits in more home than one and grief touches a common chord of sympathy in all hearts. He was public spirited, enterprising, and the loss of no man in this community would have been so severely felt or so deeply mourned as Mr. Woods.

The funeral services were held at the family residence, on Wednesday afternoon at three o’clock. The services were conducted by Rev. F. C. Berry of the Episcopal church, assisted by Rev. S. W. Seele, of the Presbyterian church. They were very impressive and touching and it can be truly said that a large concourse of people who were assembled were a congregation of mourners. The casket was covered with beautiful flowers and nearly surrounded by a bank of blooming plants. He was laid to rest in the new cemetery west of town, where loving hands had decorated the grave lining it with white and green, the ground being strewn with evergreen branches and a wreath of flowers and evergreen encircling it. (Northern Vindicator, Estherville, IA, May 2, 1890)

Emmetsburg Democrat
Tuesday noon our citizens were pained to learn of the death of Cashier E. J. Woods of the Bank of Estherville. He had been sick for some time. He was a son-in-law of D. P. Roberts of this place, and was for some time a resident of this city. He was regarded as an upright and enterprising citizen. (Northern Vindicator, Estherville, IA, May 9, 1890)