WOODS, Dr. Peter Nesbit 1829 - 1886

WOODS, ROTSEL, LINCOLN, SWEENEY, SHERMAN, WOLPH

Posted By: Richard K. Thompson (email)
Date: 12/29/2010 at 20:44:02

Fairfield Ledger
March 24, 1886
Pg. 3

Death of Dr. P.N. WOODS.

It is seldom that the announcement of a death excites the sympathy and sorrow of a community so universally as did that of Dr. Peter N. WOODS, which occurred in this city at 2 o'clock a.m. on Friday last. He had been ill for almost two weeks with pneumonia, resulting from a severe cold, but his condition was not generally considered alarming. Suffering as he had been for several years with other diseases, his system was incapable of resisting the progress of this latest attack, and in spite of all that could be done to prolong his life he passed away under it. Dr. WOODS was born in Greenville, Stark county, Ohio, September 8th, 1829. Twelve years later his parents removed to a farm in Richland county where most of his boyhood years were spent. Ever a student he eagerly sought such instruction as the common schools of that day afforded, and in 1848 entered Vermillion Institute, at Hayesville, Ohio, as a pupil - Here he remained for almost two years, teaching in the common schools at times, and in 1850 was enrolled as a student in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. In 1851 he decided to begin the study of medicine and entered the office of Dr. O.J. ROTSEL, and old and successful practitioner at Rome, in the same state. Later he attended two course of lectures in Cincinnati and received his diploma June 10th, 1854. Again he attended lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago, and graduated from that institution in February, 1880. After leaving Cincinnati Dr. WOODS entered upon the practice of his profession with Dr. ROTSEL, and remained there until May, 1856, when he removed to this city, where he has since resided and has been known as one of our most skillful surgeons and most successful physicians.

When the war of the rebellion broke out Dr WOODS took a firm stand as a friend of the Union. In July, 1862, he received a commission as recruiting officer, and assisted in securing the quota of 300,000 men called for by President LINCOLN at that time. In August of the same year he was appointed examining surgeon for this county, and in September received a commission as surgeon of the 38th Iowa infantry. He left Davenport with his regiment in December, and spent the time until the winter of 1864 with it in the campaigns of Tennessee and Mississippi. Late in 1864 he was appointed surgeon in chief of his division, on the staff of General SWEENEY. On the march to Atlanta he had charge of the sick and wounded of the 4th division of the 15th army corps, was surgeon of the division hospital in July, 1864, was at the battle of Altoona, had charge of the hospital at that point when SHERMAN marched to the sea, and later was relieved at his own request and joined his regiment at Beaufort. Then he was given the place of chief surgeon of SHERMAN's provisional division, having 40 surgeons and 10,000 men in his charge, until it was disbanded at Raleigh, N.C., in 1865. He went with his regiment to Washington, and was mustered out of the service at Clinton, Iowa, June 5th, 1865, and returning to this city resumed the practice of his profession.

Dr. WOODS was married in Richmond county, Ohio, September 14th, 1855, to Miss Mary WOLPH, who survives him. Two children were born to them, Harry E. and George C., both of whom now reside in this city. The elder has been associated in practice with his father for several years, while the younger has been a sudent at Parsons College.

In this community, where Dr. WOODS had so long resided and with whose interest and prosperity he has been so strongly identified, it is diffucult to say anything which would add to the high esteem in which he was held as a professional man or as a good citizen. He was an industrious and energetic worker and a close student during all the years of his residence here. He early established a successful and lucrative practice, and with the means at his command ever extended a helping hand to deserving persons and enterprises. With a love for machinery he supplemented the studies of his profession with those of the sciences and mechanics, and it was in a large measure the desire to gratify this taste that led him into the establishment of the Fairfield Woolen Mills, one of our largest and most successful manufacturing enterprises for almost 20 years past. Close application to his practice and business affairs and over study doubtless had much to do with the weakening of his system and made it an easy prey to disease. Few men in Jefferson county had more intimate friendships or were held in higher esteem by the people of the county in general than Dr. WOODS. As husband, father, neighbor, friend - in every relation of life - he was a true man, and one of noble impulses. Public place he never sought, but once given him he gave it even more than deserved attention. As member of the school board, as pensions surgeon and in his military life he discharged every obligation with credit to himself. He is gone from amongst us, but his memory will long remain as one of Fairfield's best citizens.

The funeral occurred Monday afternoon. Services were held at the First M.E. church, of which denomination he had long been a member and trustee. Rev. M. Bamford, the pastor, conducted the services, assisted by Rev. M.E. Dwight of the Congregational church and Rev. Haines. Dr. WOODS was a member of the G.A.R., the Masonic fraternity and the Odd Fellows, and these three organizations and the C.,B. & Q Band marched in the procession which followed his remains to the grave, the latter lodge having charge of the funeral. The remains were interred in the Evergreen Cemetery.

* Transcribed for genealogy purposes. I am not related to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Dr. Perter Nesbit WOODS was born Sept. 8, 1829 and died March 19, 1886. Buried in the WOODS family plot at Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, Iowa. Old.P.175