Oscar C. Woods >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. To view the picture of O. C. Woods that accompanies this biography, please go to the main Scott county, Iowa page at: http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ and click on Pictures/ Documents section. Surnames: Woods, White, Holbrook, Shontz. Oscar C. Woods is the founder and the head of a wholesale fruit and produce establishment in Davenport conducted under the name of The Martin Woods Company. HE possesses a talent for leading and this coupled with his sound judgment and business ability is the secret of his success. He was born on a farm near the village of Passumpsic, Vermont, October 26, 1835, a son of Riley and Lydia (White) Woods, he being the youngest in a family of twelve children. The father was a son of John Woods, who served in the Revolutionary war. Oscar C. Woods was reared in New England, beginning his education in the common schools of Vermont, while later he pursued a course in St. Johnsbury College. When he attained his majority he came to the west for he believed he would enjoy better business advantages here than he could in the east. He has one brother and one sister who also came west but the other members of the family all remained in New England. Upon arriving in the city of Chicago, Mr. Woods spent some time there, whence he made his way to Lamoille, Illinois, and alter his brother John Joined him and they there opened a dry-goods store which they conducted for several years. Eventually, owing to the he ill health of our subject, they sold their stock of goods and after recovering his health Mr. Woods again engaged in business, buying his stock of goods in New York, for, although they had previously purchased stock in Chicago, it was about this time that the great fire raged in that metropolis and he was co! mpelled to send to the east for his merchandise. Again after a few years the brothers sold out review engaged in the stock business, buying horses for the eastern market. It was about 1873 that he removed farther west, locating in Davenport, where he continued to buy stock. Later he bought a half section of land near Waterloo, Iowa, and spent about a year and a half on the place. In 1883 he returned to Davenport and with others purchased the wholesale fruit business, to which he has since devoted his attention. Mr. Woods organized the firm which is now conducting business under the name of The Martin Woods Company and was incorporated in the spring of 1890. This is one of the important and well known management and executive ability of the president, Mr. Woods. He has made a number of changes in his business connection since coming to the west but each change has proved a profitable one and he has now reached the goal of success. Mr. Woods was married in May, 1864, to Miss Cleora Holbrook, of Lamoille, Illinois. They had one child, who died young and now have an adopted daughter, Ruby, who is the wife of Harry L. Shontz, by whom she has two children, Harry W. and Mary Elizabeth. Mrs. Woods, an estimable lady, passed away in 1904 and her remains were interred in the cemetery at Lamoille, Illinois. Mr. Woods is entitled to membership in the Sons of the Revolution from the fact that his grandfather served in the Revolutionary war. In business he has never been content to remain with the middle rank but has striven to reach the top round of the ladder and today he holds a high position in the business circles of Davenport, while his social qualities have won for him many friends. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann Assist. CC: Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm. for: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES