[p. 962] president of the New Castle Contracting Company, which makes a specialty of street paving, sewer and cement work and is an important business enterprise of this city, is one of New Castle's thoroughly self made men. He was born in 1868, within three miles of New Castle. William Woods, the father of A. W. Woods, was born in 1846, in England, and came to America and to Lawrence County in 1859. He was engaged in a grocery business at New Castle at the time of his death in 1885.
A. W. Woods had few advantages of any kind in his youth, but he possessed ambition, and through persistent effort in the face of many drawbacks advanced himself and bettered his fortunes. In boyhood he went to work in a stove factory and later in the rolling-mills, taking advantage of every opportunity to husband his capital and to improve his efficiency along lines which enabled him, by 1893, to enter into a general contracting business. This he has developed into one of the largest concerns of its kind in the city. He did business under the style of A. W. Woods, contractor, until 1907, when a change was made and the name of the New Castle Contracting Company was assumed. A large proportion of the paving, sewer and cement work which so adds to the beauty and stability of New Castle, stands to the credit of this company. Mr. Woods has in the meanwhile acquired property which includes a farm in Lawrence County and valuable realty in the city.
On December 12, 1888, Mr. Woods was married to Miss Ida Hammond, who was born and reared at New Castle. They are members of Trinity Episcopal Church. Mr. Woods is a Mason, a member of the Shrine and the Lodge of Perfection and he belongs also to the I.O.O.F., Woodmen, the Elks and other orders. He is identified with the New Castle Club. Mr. Woods career has been remarkable in one respect at least. He had no educational advantages in his youth; yet despite this drawback he has succeeded beyond most men of his age in New Castle. His clear cut common sense and keen intelligence has been his safeguard and guide. He manages and directs entirely the affairs of the company, of which he is the head, and the success they have achieved speaks volumes for the sound judgment he has displayed.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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Updated: 9 Feb 2002