Roma (Wheeler) Woods (1835-1916)

WHEELER, HOLBROOK, WOODS, CHURCHILL

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

Roma Wheeler Woods was born in Perrysburg, Ohio, March 16, 1835. Died at her home in Sutherland, Iowa, Feb. 29, 1916.

She was the daughter of Daniel Holbrook and Lydia Martin Wheeler, a descendant on her father's side of the Connecticut Holbrooks and Wheelers and on her mother's side of John Churchill who settled in Connecticut in 1645. She attended high school in Akron, Ohio; studied higher mathematics with her father, and French and music with private tutors. For several years she was a soprano singer in St. Paul's church in Akron.

In 1853 she came to Davenport, Iowa, with her parents, crossing the Mississippi river from Moline in skiffs. On Sept. 4, 1855 at her home in Davenport, she was married to William Houston Woods, of Iowa City. To this union two children were born, Martha Roma, who died at the age of six years, and Houston Clay, who died in 1890 at the age of 32. Her husband passed away in 1909 in Atlanta, Georgia at the home of a nephew, W. Woods White.

Their first home was in Iowa City, which was then the capitol of the state. Mrs. Woods was assured by Iowa legislators that her songs were no small factor in securing the passage of the first Iowa temperance laws. During the Civil war she was an active member of the Army Aid society of Davenport which did much to relieve the suffering of the soldiers and their families.

In 1869 she came with her husband and son to O'Brien county. Although reared in luxury she bore with patience and fortitude the trials incident to pioneer life. Here they lived the simple life and when heart sorrows came in the loss of beloved parents and an only cherished child they kept their grief hidden and dispensed helpful cheer to their neighbors.

In 1874 Mr. Woods established a library in their log cabin home Mrs. Woods was the librarian and the books Mr. and Mrs. Woods had in their private library became the nucleus or the present library of Sutherland. It was a subscription library, some of the subscribers living twenty-two miles away. Into this home came the first piano of the county. Here was organized the first literary society, the tax payers' league and tax payers' association.

Mrs. Woods was District chairman of the I.T.W.C. o f the Eleventh District for four years, where she established the scholarship fund, before it was adopted by the state. She was for three years chairman of the Eleventh District Political Equality Clubs and edited the Standard, the state paper.

She was also president of the W.R.C. four years and held the office of president in the various clubs of
Sutherland, and in her death, the clubs have lost an ever ready and helpful friend. Her door was always open to old and young.

For years her home was the meeting place for college boys and girls when home for vacation. To all who came in to the circle of her friendly acquaintance she was always genial and helpful. To those who entered into an understanding of her inner nature she was known and esteemed as a woman of earth's noblest type.

Funeral services were held on Friday afternoon, March 4, at the M.E. church, conducted by Rev. C.A. Richards of Paullina, after which the remains were laid to rest in Waterman cemetery beside her beloved husband.

Sutherland Courier 9 March 1916