[p. 517] of North Beaver Township, is a prominent farmer and representative citizen and is the owner of 325 acres of valuable land adjoining the Westfield Church. He was born in that township, August 18, 1851, is a son of William and Margaret (Davidson) Woods, and grandson of William Woods, Sr., who was one of the earliest settlers of Lawrence County. This hardy pioneer was born in Ireland, came to America at an early age, and in 1795 took up his residence in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.
John B. Woods was reared and educated in his native township and has followed agricultural pursuits throughout life. His land, consisting of 325 acres, is in two adjoining farms, and he has occupied his present home since 1874. A man of energy and resource, his success has been above the average and he takes rank among the substantial and influential men of his section of the county.
Mr. Woods was united in marriage with Miss Ella C. Poak (by many spelled Polk), a daughter of John and Emiline Poak, her family also being one of the pioneer families of North Beaver Township. Her father was born in this township, and was a son of Samuel Poak, who was born in Union County, Pennsylvania, and came to North Beaver Township in 1804, settling on the farm now owned by J. D. Brewster between Mahoningtown and Mt. Jackson. He lived there until his death, at the age of seventy-five years. The grandmother of Mrs. Woods, Sarah Watson Poak, also died on that farm, and John Poak died in Mt. Jackson at the age of seventy-five years. The mother now resides near Coitsville, Mahoning County, Ohio. David W. Poak, brother of Mrs. Woods, was a first lieutenant in the Thirtieth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War, and was made adjutant of his regiment. He was with Sherman in his famous march to the sea and was awarded a medal for bravery at Vicksburg. While at Atlanta, the colonel and most of the other officers of the regiment were taken captive, and Lieutenant Poak, then twenty-one years old, acting in the capacity of adjutant, took command of the regiment. In a special order issued by the commander appears the following: "First Lieutenant David W. Poak, Co. A, 30th Ill. Vet. Vol. Inf., awarded a silver medal of honor for gallant conduct on the 22d of July, 1864, at Atlanta." Returning from the war, Mr. Poak went to Missouri, thence to Texas, where he engaged in the banking business, and finally returned to his old home at Mt. Jackson, where he died.
Mr. and Mrs. Woods became parents of the following children: Nettie, wife of Harry Crawford, by whom she has the following children: Florence, Margaret, Edwin and Harold; William L., who lives at home; David Watson, married Mame Reed and resides on the old William Woods homestead; John Frederick, and Sarah. Mr. Woods is a Republican in politics and has filled nearly all of the township offices. Religiously he is an active member of the Westfield Presbyterian Church, in which he has been an elder for many years.
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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