EZEKIEL S. WOODS

     The gentleman whose name appears above is among the oldest citizens of Licking County.  His birthplace was Washington County, Kentucky, and the time, December 25, 1791.  At that early day schools were very few, and young Woods grew up deprived of the educational privileges of the present more favored period.  The greater part of his life has been spent in the avocation of farmer.  In May, 1818, he came, by himself, to Newark, Ohio, where he engaged in general merchandise, which business he followed for some eighteen years.

     On September 11, 1828, he married Sarah J. Burnham, of Zanesville, Ohio, who was born November 20, 1800.  By this marriage he had four children: William B., Charles R., Mary B., and Eliza W.  Mrs. Woods died April 17, 1841.  She was devotedly attached to the church of her choice, the Second Presbyterian of Newark, of which she was a faithful member.  She was distinguished for her benevolent nature, for her kind attentions in the sick-chamber, and for her charities towards the poor.  Her loss was deeply felt in her family circle, which comprised four children, the oldest being only seventeen.

     In 1836, Mr. Woods closed out his mercantile business, and has since been employed in superintending his farming interests and in dealing in real estate.  For quite a number of years he has paid considerable attention to the raising of fine blooded stock, which has always been with him a favorite employment.

     In May 184-, Mr. Wood's second companion was Mrs. Harriet Munson, of Granville, whose maiden name was Warner.  She was a native of Vermont.

     Mr. Woods is now in his eighty-fourth year, but retains his physical vigor to a degree unusual in one so aged.  He stirs around with a business-like air, pays frequent visits to his farm, about one mile and a half from Newark, and exercises a general superintendence over his financial interests. He has been a resident of the County for considerably upwards of half a century, and is one of Newark's most substantial and respected citizens.

     Mary B., the oldest daughter, married George W. Manypenny, of Zanesville, and is now a resident of Columbus, where he has for many years been the superintendent of the Ohio Canal.

     Eliza W. became the wife of Willard Warner, of Newark.  Mr. Warner was once a member of the United States Senate.  Mrs. Warner is now deceased.

     In the late war Mr. Woods was represented by his two sons, William B. and Charles R., and also by one son-in-law, Mr. Warner, the three families of whom he took care of while the husbands were in the service.

     Judge William B. Woods was born in Newark, Ohio, graduated at Yale College in 1845, was admitted to the bar in Ohio on November 8, 1847, and commenced the practice of law at Newark with S. D. King, Esq., under the firm of King & Woods.  Was elected Mayor of Newark in April, 1856, and re-elected in 1857.

     In October, 1857, he was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives from Licking County.  On the assembling of the legislature, in January, 1858, was elected Speaker of the House, and served as such during two sessions.  In October, 1859, was re-elected to the House of Representatives, and served till the final adjournment of the legislature, in May, 1861.  In September, 1861, was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel 76th O. V. I., taking rank November 4, 1861. On August 22, 1863, he was commissioned Colonel O. V. I. Brevetted Brigadier-General, to date from January 12, 1865, for faithful and continued service as an officer in the Atlanta and Savannah campaign.  Promoted to full rank of Brigadier-General May 3, 1865.  Brevetted a Major-General, to rank from March 13, 1865, for gallant and meritorious service during the war. 

     During the was he served at the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Arkansas Post, the sieges of Vicksburg and of Jackson, Mississippi; was engaged in the campaign against Atlanta, marched with Sherman to the sea, and from Savannah, through South Carolina, to Raleigh, North Carolina, when the surrender of Lee and Johnston put an end to the war.  Marched with General Sherman to Washington, and commanded the advance brigade of his army in the great review in May, 1865.  Soon after he was ordered to Mobile on military duty, and remained there until February 17, 1866, when he was honorably mustered out of service.  In 1868 he was elected Chancellor of the Middle Chancery Division at Alabama; served as Chancellor until December 22, 1869, when he was appointed United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit, comprising the States of Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, which position he has held with marked ability; and it is generally conceded that no better appointment could have been made. As an officer, he commanded the respected and confidence of his regiment, and was brave and fearless in the defense of the Union.  Judge Woods is now in his prime.  He is a man of marked ability, of the strictest integrity, of courteous manners, and is an honor to the County which claims his birth.

     This gentleman is the second son of Ezekiel S. Woods, Esq., now one of the oldest and most worthy citizens of Newark, Ohio, of which place the subject of this sketch is a native.  His boyhood was passed upon his father's farm.  When about seventeen years of age, he was placed under the instruction of Rev. R. K. Nash, of Worthington.  At the age of nineteen, he entered the West Point Military Academy as a cadet, where he graduated in June, 1852.  Since that time to the latter part of 1874 Mr. Woods has been engaged in the United States military service.  He began as Second Lieutenant in First Infantry Regular service, in 1852, was promoted to Captain of the 9th on April 1, 1861, and to Major of the 18th on April 20, 1864, to Lieutenant-Colonel of the 33d July 28, 1866, and to Colonel of the 2d on February 18, 1874.  Brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel, 4th of July, 1863, for gallant and meritorious services at the battle of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Brigadier-General, 13 of March, 1865, for gallant and meritorious services in battles before Atlanta, Georgia; and Major-General, 18th of March, 1865, for gallant and meritorious service at the battle of Bentonville, North Carolina.  He was mustered into service as Colonel of the 76th O. V. I. on October 13, 1861, and as Brigadier-General of volunteers August 22, 1863.  Brevetted Major-General, November 22, 1864, for long-continued services, and for special gallantry at Griswoldsville, Georgia. Mustered out of volunteer service September 1, 1866. Retired from Regular service December 14, 1874.

     The 76th Regiment--eight companies of which were raised in Licking County--formed a part of all the commands held by the General in the volunteer service.  General Woods has had a military career of nearly a quarter of a century, during which time he has rendered to the government very efficient service.  As an officer, he has been eminently successful.  As a disciplinarian he has few equals.  He is a gentleman of commanding appearance, greatness of heart, and possesses a more than ordinary geniality of nature, which qualities have always rendered him very popular.  As an officer, a citizen and a gentleman, he is one of whom Licking County may be justly proud. 

     On the second of August, 1860, he was married to Miss Cecilia Impey, eldest daughter of Robert and Frances Impey, of Newark, Ohio.  Miss Impey was born March 1, 1842.  Her mother was a daughter of Hon. William Stanberry, of Newark.  General Woods has had a family of three sons and one daughter: William E., born in Philadelphia May 5, 1861; Robert I., born in Newark, Ohio, September 28, 1862; George H., born in Newport, Kentucky, May 28, 1866; Frances B., born at Fort Wallace, Kansas, March 18, 1870.