| Notes |
- from "History of Page County, Iowa, Des Moines: Iowa Hist. Co.", 1880, pg 757
WOODS, PROF. J. A., principal city schools, P. O. Clarinda; born in Pennsylvania , February 7, 1835 . Until twenty-one years of age his education was very limited; he then began a systematic course of training, and entered Marietta College , Ohio , where he remained until 1862; in February of that year he came to Page county. Shortly after he became the principal of the schools, and has retained that position until the present day-a service of eighteen years. Mr. Woods was married to Miss Esther I. Hill, a native of Ohio , June 18, 18__. They are the parents of two children: Charles E. and Ettie. Mr. Woods has accumulated all he is worth since his residence in this county. His farm of 310 acres is one of the finest in the county. He is a man of sterling worth and stable character, whom to know is to respect.
- from "The Clarinda Journal", 7 Apr 1927 (posted on findagrave.com)
James Alfred Woods was born Feb 7, 1835, on a farm near Greenville, Mercer county, Penn., and remained on his father's farm until he reached the age of twenty-one. He then entered Marietta College at Marietta, Ohio, where he received his college education. In 1862 he came to Clarinda, Iowa, to accept the position of teacher in the public schools. July 4, 1864, he was married to Esther Irene Hill in Marietta, Ohio, and returned to Clarinda with his bride. From this union two children were born, Charles E. Wood of Ellesport, Wash., who survived him, and Etta Ollieretta, who passed away some five years ago. Prof. Woods, who began his teaching in Clarinda in the lower grades, was at the close of the first year promoted to the principalship and later to be city superintendent of the city schools. His connection with the schools were a total of thirty school years with two short intervals when he was otherwise employed. Prof. Woods organized the first public school system in Red Oak, Iowa, where he taught for two years in the early seventies. He also taught seven years in Keithsburg, Ill., which closed his teaching experience. Esther Irene Woods departed this life in June, 1916. Dec 30, 1917, Prof Woods was married to Mrs Josephine Berry Crickenbarger. Prof. Woods continued to reside in Clarinda until March, 1924, when he and Mrs Woods joined their son, Charles, at Ellesport, Wash., where they spent the remainder of their lives. Prof Woods departed this life March 22, 1917 [sic,1927] at Ellesport, Wash., and his wife passed away two days later. Funeral services were held in Washington and a Memorial service was held for both Mr and Woods in the Presbyterian church at Clarinda on April 3, 1927, and the ashes of both were laid to rest in the Clarinda cemetery, according to the expressed wish of each. Prof Woods was an active member and worker of the first Presbyterian church from 1862 until his {???} strength prevented further work. He was for many years an elder in this church. Prof Woods' great life work was among his students, who are scattered through many states and lands, and their esteem of him is the greatest monument that could be erected to him. In the affections of those who knew him he still lives.
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1835 - 1927 (92 years)