[Senator Spencer Dayton's son, Alston Gordon Dayton married Columbia May Sinsel, the sister of member and President of the WV State Senate, Charles Arthur Sinsel, M.D. Alston and Columbia's son, Arthur Spencer Dayton married Ruth Neeson Woods, daughter of member and President of the WV State Senate, Samuel Van Horn Woods.]
Obituary:
WOODS RITES WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY
Noted Lawyer Is Taken; Follows His Wife
Published: Friday, 04 Jun 1937, Charleston Daily Mail p. 1
Funeral service for Samuel V. Woods, 81, a former president of the state senate, distinguished attorney and Democratic party leader, who died Thursday night at a hospital following an illness of six weeks, will be held at the home at 1546 Virginia street Saturday at 2:30 o'clock. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial park.
Mr. Woods' death followed that of his wife, Mrs. Mollie Strickler Woods, by only four days. She succumbed at her home Monday.
A native of Barbour county where he was born August 31, 1856. Mr. Woods was a member of a family distinguished for its accomplishments in the legal and educational fields. He was a son of Judge and Isabella Neeson Woods. His father was a member of the state superme court of appeals and his uncle and two brothers also were lawyers.
Mr. Woods attended West Virginia University, after receiving his preliminary education from private tutors, and then studied law under his father. He was admitted to the West Virginia bar in 1881 and practiced at Philippi.
Politics clained the interest of Mr. Woods early in his career. He was a delegate to the Democratic national convention of 1890, later serving as mayor of Philippi for two terms. He was elected to the state senate in 1910, serving two terms, and was elevated to the presidency of the senate in the session of 1913. He was twice the Democratic nominee for congress from the second district.
An older brother, Frank Woods, of Grafton and Baltimore, died in 1900. Another brother, John Hopkins Woods, died in 1921. An uncle, James Neeson, was arguing a case before the Virginia supreme court of appeals at Richmond in 1871 when the courtroom floor collapsed, falling to the chamber of the house of delegates below and killing many persons. Mr. Neeson was injured.
Mr. Woods for a score of years served as a member and president of the board of trustees of West Virginia Wesleyan college, an institution that his father helped to found. Wesleyan later conferred upon him the degree of doctor of laws. Fraternally he was a Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias.
In 1893 Mr. Woods married Miss Mollie Strickler, of Philippi, who died Monday. They had one daughter, who is now Mrs. Arthur S. Dayton, of Charleston. Before coming to Charleston in 1924 Mr. Woods was a director and later president of the Citizens bank of that city. He had been retired for about 13 years.
Mr. Woods' father was a native of Canada. After coming to the United States he became principal of the Morgantown academy, forerunner of Wesst Virginia university. He served as a captain in the Confederate army and was a delegate to the Virginia general convention at which the article of secession was adopted.
Later the elder Mr. Woods served as a member of the West Virginia constitutional convention. He had the distinction of being one of the three graduates of Allegheny college, Meadville, Pa. to receive the honorary degree of doctor of laws from the institution in its century of existence. He also was one of the organizers of the Grafton and Greenbrier Railroad company, which connected the town of Grafton with the Chesapeake & Ohio railroad.
Mr. Woods' body was removed from the Simpson mortuary Thursday to the home. Rev. Robert Bagnell, pastor of the First M. E. church, of which Mr. Woods was a member, will have charge of the funeral services.
Samuel Woods and His Family (1939) by Ruth Woods Dayton, pp. 159-162:
[5. Samuel Van Horn Woods—(the writer's father), born at "Philippa," Virginia, on August 31, 1856, and died in Charleston. West Virginia, on June 3, 1937, in his eighty-first year, and is buried beside his wife in Sunset Memorial Park, Charleston, West Virginia. Samuel V. Woods received his education from public schools and private tutors, and attended the West Virginia University, which he was compelled to leave before graduation because of ill health, although later he had remarkably fine health the remainder of his life. He studied law under his father, and was examined before, and was admitted to practice by, the State Supreme Court of Appeals upon the motion of William L. Wilson in 1881, from which time he practiced law in Philippi until 1924, when lie removed to Charleston, West Virginia, where he continued to practice, although semi-retired, until his death. He married Mollie (Mary Alice) Strickler, daughter of Isaac Harrison Strickler and Margaret Jane Jarvis Strickler, of Philippi, on March 9, 1892, Mr. Strickler being a merchant. She was born on August 8, 1858, and died on May 31, 1937, and was buried the day before her husband died. They had one daughter, Ruth Neeson Woods, born February 24, 1894; married June 14, 1916, to Arthur S. Dayton, who was born May 6, 1887, and is a lawyer of Charles ton, West Virginia, and a son of Judge Alston G. Dayton and Lummie Sinsel Dayton, of Philippi. They have no children.
Samuel V. Woods was a distinguished, fine looking man, six feet tall, large frame, very erect, with a quiet, dignified bearing and courteous manner. He inherited the light, elastic step of his father. He had pale blue eyes, fair skin, and light brown hair. He was a man of great force and strength of character, and at the same time a most gentle man,—kindly, thoughtful, and extremely generous. The following is a professional opinion of his ability, quoted from "The History of West Virginia, Old and New":
"In his court work he has always been distinguished for the thoroughness of his preparation, the tact of his examination of witnesses, his accurate knowledge of all the details of pleading and practice, and coolness and self-poise which he exhibits under circumstances of the most adverse and trying nature. As an advocate, he is gifted with logical powers and a faculty of expression, simple and lucid. His diction is clear and correct, his language forceful and pointed, and on all occasions he shows the power of an able public speaker and debater, and is an honorable and upright attorney."
He was actively interested in politics, being a strong Democrat. Though living in a strongly Republican county and senatorial and congressional district, he was elected to the State Senate in 1910 from the Thirteenth District. In 1913, with a Senate equally divided politically, he was unanimously elected President of the Senate, and as such was ex-officio Lieutenant-Governor of the State. In 1880 he was Elector-at-Large for the State; delegate in 1892 to the National Democratic Convention; Presidential Elector Second West Virginia District in 1896; served as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney of Barbour County in 1884; was Mayor of Philippi two terms, 1886, and twice was Democratic nominee for Congress from the Second District—in 1916 and 1918.
Samuel V. Woods was a useful and prominent member of the Methodist Church, of Philippi, and also (after moving to Charleston, West Virginia) a valued member of the First Methodist Church on Quarrier Street,—being a splendid Bible student and a learned teacher in both churches, as well as successively a member of the Board of Trustees of each. He was a delegate to the General Conference of the M. E. Church in Saratoga, New York, in 1916; a delegate to the Methodist General Conference in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1920; a member of the Sixth Ecumenical Council of the M. E. Church in America in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1932. Many times through the years he gave religious talks in various churches over the State. He was much interested in Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, West Virginia, and served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1906 to 1937, and was President of the Board, 1926-1928. By reason of the age retirement regulation, the last few years of his tenure he was a Member Emeritus. He gave much property and money to the College, and also built a Pergola spring on the campus, as a gift of the "Woods Class" of 1916—the same year in which the College conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. He was a member of the Board of the Davis Child Shelter, in Charleston, for a number of years, and actively interested in its welfare. During the World War Mr. Woods served as a Four Minute speaker, was a member of the Barbour County Legal Advisory Board, and was President of the Barbour County Red Cross Chapter. He was a man of wide reading and culture, had a fine literary style and ability in writing. He had owned farms and cattle in his earlier life, and enjoyed riding and fishing. He loved nature, and possessed a store of knowledge of birds and animals, and had a deep interest and feeling for the beauty of the out-of-doors. He revelled in the sky, the trees, and all the beauty of God's handiwork. He was a gifted public speaker, fluent and forceful, poised and clear-thinking, fearless in his stand on the right side of any question, public or private, a quiet, wise and kindly dignity, and a never failing gentlemanly and courteous manner that endeared him to all with whom he came in contact.
"His life was gentle, and the elements So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, 'This was a man!' "
He was the last of the Woods family bearing that name, one of the most prominent in West Virginia history.]
Obituary:
WOODS RITES WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY
Noted Lawyer Is Taken; Follows His Wife
Published: Friday, 04 Jun 1937, Charleston Daily Mail p. 1
Funeral service for Samuel V. Woods, 81, a former president of the state senate, distinguished attorney and Democratic party leader, who died Thursday night at a hospital following an illness of six weeks, will be held at the home at 1546 Virginia street Saturday at 2:30 o'clock. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial park.
Mr. Woods' death followed that of his wife, Mrs. Mollie Strickler Woods, by only four days. She succumbed at her home Monday.
A native of Barbour county where he was born August 31, 1856. Mr. Woods was a member of a family distinguished for its accomplishments in the legal and educational fields. He was a son of Judge and Isabella Neeson Woods. His father was a member of the state superme court of appeals and his uncle and two brothers also were lawyers.
Mr. Woods attended West Virginia University, after receiving his preliminary education from private tutors, and then studied law under his father. He was admitted to the West Virginia bar in 1881 and practiced at Philippi.
Politics clained the interest of Mr. Woods early in his career. He was a delegate to the Democratic national convention of 1890, later serving as mayor of Philippi for two terms. He was elected to the state senate in 1910, serving two terms, and was elevated to the presidency of the senate in the session of 1913. He was twice the Democratic nominee for congress from the second district.
An older brother, Frank Woods, of Grafton and Baltimore, died in 1900. Another brother, John Hopkins Woods, died in 1921. An uncle, James Neeson, was arguing a case before the Virginia supreme court of appeals at Richmond in 1871 when the courtroom floor collapsed, falling to the chamber of the house of delegates below and killing many persons. Mr. Neeson was injured.
Mr. Woods for a score of years served as a member and president of the board of trustees of West Virginia Wesleyan college, an institution that his father helped to found. Wesleyan later conferred upon him the degree of doctor of laws. Fraternally he was a Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias.
In 1893 Mr. Woods married Miss Mollie Strickler, of Philippi, who died Monday. They had one daughter, who is now Mrs. Arthur S. Dayton, of Charleston. Before coming to Charleston in 1924 Mr. Woods was a director and later president of the Citizens bank of that city. He had been retired for about 13 years.
Mr. Woods' father was a native of Canada. After coming to the United States he became principal of the Morgantown academy, forerunner of Wesst Virginia university. He served as a captain in the Confederate army and was a delegate to the Virginia general convention at which the article of secession was adopted.
Later the elder Mr. Woods served as a member of the West Virginia constitutional convention. He had the distinction of being one of the three graduates of Allegheny college, Meadville, Pa. to receive the honorary degree of doctor of laws from the institution in its century of existence. He also was one of the organizers of the Grafton and Greenbrier Railroad company, which connected the town of Grafton with the Chesapeake & Ohio railroad.
Mr. Woods' body was removed from the Simpson mortuary Thursday to the home. Rev. Robert Bagnell, pastor of the First M. E. church, of which Mr. Woods was a member, will have charge of the funeral services.
Samuel Woods and His Family (1939) by Ruth Woods Dayton, pp. 159-162:
[5. Samuel Van Horn Woods—(the writer's father), born at "Philippa," Virginia, on August 31, 1856, and died in Charleston. West Virginia, on June 3, 1937, in his eighty-first year, and is buried beside his wife in Sunset Memorial Park, Charleston, West Virginia. Samuel V. Woods received his education from public schools and private tutors, and attended the West Virginia University, which he was compelled to leave before graduation because of ill health, although later he had remarkably fine health the remainder of his life. He studied law under his father, and was examined before, and was admitted to practice by, the State Supreme Court of Appeals upon the motion of William L. Wilson in 1881, from which time he practiced law in Philippi until 1924, when lie removed to Charleston, West Virginia, where he continued to practice, although semi-retired, until his death. He married Mollie (Mary Alice) Strickler, daughter of Isaac Harrison Strickler and Margaret Jane Jarvis Strickler, of Philippi, on March 9, 1892, Mr. Strickler being a merchant. She was born on August 8, 1858, and died on May 31, 1937, and was buried the day before her husband died. They had one daughter, Ruth Neeson Woods, born February 24, 1894; married June 14, 1916, to Arthur S. Dayton, who was born May 6, 1887, and is a lawyer of Charles ton, West Virginia, and a son of Judge Alston G. Dayton and Lummie Sinsel Dayton, of Philippi. They have no children.
Samuel V. Woods was a distinguished, fine looking man, six feet tall, large frame, very erect, with a quiet, dignified bearing and courteous manner. He inherited the light, elastic step of his father. He had pale blue eyes, fair skin, and light brown hair. He was a man of great force and strength of character, and at the same time a most gentle man,—kindly, thoughtful, and extremely generous. The following is a professional opinion of his ability, quoted from "The History of West Virginia, Old and New":
"In his court work he has always been distinguished for the thoroughness of his preparation, the tact of his examination of witnesses, his accurate knowledge of all the details of pleading and practice, and coolness and self-poise which he exhibits under circumstances of the most adverse and trying nature. As an advocate, he is gifted with logical powers and a faculty of expression, simple and lucid. His diction is clear and correct, his language forceful and pointed, and on all occasions he shows the power of an able public speaker and debater, and is an honorable and upright attorney."
He was actively interested in politics, being a strong Democrat. Though living in a strongly Republican county and senatorial and congressional district, he was elected to the State Senate in 1910 from the Thirteenth District. In 1913, with a Senate equally divided politically, he was unanimously elected President of the Senate, and as such was ex-officio Lieutenant-Governor of the State. In 1880 he was Elector-at-Large for the State; delegate in 1892 to the National Democratic Convention; Presidential Elector Second West Virginia District in 1896; served as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney of Barbour County in 1884; was Mayor of Philippi two terms, 1886, and twice was Democratic nominee for Congress from the Second District—in 1916 and 1918.
Samuel V. Woods was a useful and prominent member of the Methodist Church, of Philippi, and also (after moving to Charleston, West Virginia) a valued member of the First Methodist Church on Quarrier Street,—being a splendid Bible student and a learned teacher in both churches, as well as successively a member of the Board of Trustees of each. He was a delegate to the General Conference of the M. E. Church in Saratoga, New York, in 1916; a delegate to the Methodist General Conference in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1920; a member of the Sixth Ecumenical Council of the M. E. Church in America in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1932. Many times through the years he gave religious talks in various churches over the State. He was much interested in Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, West Virginia, and served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1906 to 1937, and was President of the Board, 1926-1928. By reason of the age retirement regulation, the last few years of his tenure he was a Member Emeritus. He gave much property and money to the College, and also built a Pergola spring on the campus, as a gift of the "Woods Class" of 1916—the same year in which the College conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. He was a member of the Board of the Davis Child Shelter, in Charleston, for a number of years, and actively interested in its welfare. During the World War Mr. Woods served as a Four Minute speaker, was a member of the Barbour County Legal Advisory Board, and was President of the Barbour County Red Cross Chapter. He was a man of wide reading and culture, had a fine literary style and ability in writing. He had owned farms and cattle in his earlier life, and enjoyed riding and fishing. He loved nature, and possessed a store of knowledge of birds and animals, and had a deep interest and feeling for the beauty of the out-of-doors. He revelled in the sky, the trees, and all the beauty of God's handiwork. He was a gifted public speaker, fluent and forceful, poised and clear-thinking, fearless in his stand on the right side of any question, public or private, a quiet, wise and kindly dignity, and a never failing gentlemanly and courteous manner that endeared him to all with whom he came in contact.
"His life was gentle, and the elements So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, 'This was a man!' "
He was the last of the Woods family bearing that name, one of the most prominent in West Virginia history.]
[Senator Spencer Dayton's son, Alston Gordon Dayton married Columbia May Sinsel, the sister of member and President of the WV State Senate, Charles Arthur Sinsel, M.D. Alston and Columbia's son, Arthur Spencer Dayton married Ruth Neeson Woods, daughter of member and President of the WV State Senate, Samuel Van Horn Woods.]
Obituary:
WOODS RITES WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY
Noted Lawyer Is Taken; Follows His Wife
Published: Friday, 04 Jun 1937, Charleston Daily Mail p. 1
Funeral service for Samuel V. Woods, 81, a former president of the state senate, distinguished attorney and Democratic party leader, who died Thursday night at a hospital following an illness of six weeks, will be held at the home at 1546 Virginia street Saturday at 2:30 o'clock. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial park.
Mr. Woods' death followed that of his wife, Mrs. Mollie Strickler Woods, by only four days. She succumbed at her home Monday.
A native of Barbour county where he was born August 31, 1856. Mr. Woods was a member of a family distinguished for its accomplishments in the legal and educational fields. He was a son of Judge and Isabella Neeson Woods. His father was a member of the state superme court of appeals and his uncle and two brothers also were lawyers.
Mr. Woods attended West Virginia University, after receiving his preliminary education from private tutors, and then studied law under his father. He was admitted to the West Virginia bar in 1881 and practiced at Philippi.
Politics clained the interest of Mr. Woods early in his career. He was a delegate to the Democratic national convention of 1890, later serving as mayor of Philippi for two terms. He was elected to the state senate in 1910, serving two terms, and was elevated to the presidency of the senate in the session of 1913. He was twice the Democratic nominee for congress from the second district.
An older brother, Frank Woods, of Grafton and Baltimore, died in 1900. Another brother, John Hopkins Woods, died in 1921. An uncle, James Neeson, was arguing a case before the Virginia supreme court of appeals at Richmond in 1871 when the courtroom floor collapsed, falling to the chamber of the house of delegates below and killing many persons. Mr. Neeson was injured.
Mr. Woods for a score of years served as a member and president of the board of trustees of West Virginia Wesleyan college, an institution that his father helped to found. Wesleyan later conferred upon him the degree of doctor of laws. Fraternally he was a Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias.
In 1893 Mr. Woods married Miss Mollie Strickler, of Philippi, who died Monday. They had one daughter, who is now Mrs. Arthur S. Dayton, of Charleston. Before coming to Charleston in 1924 Mr. Woods was a director and later president of the Citizens bank of that city. He had been retired for about 13 years.
Mr. Woods' father was a native of Canada. After coming to the United States he became principal of the Morgantown academy, forerunner of Wesst Virginia university. He served as a captain in the Confederate army and was a delegate to the Virginia general convention at which the article of secession was adopted.
Later the elder Mr. Woods served as a member of the West Virginia constitutional convention. He had the distinction of being one of the three graduates of Allegheny college, Meadville, Pa. to receive the honorary degree of doctor of laws from the institution in its century of existence. He also was one of the organizers of the Grafton and Greenbrier Railroad company, which connected the town of Grafton with the Chesapeake & Ohio railroad.
Mr. Woods' body was removed from the Simpson mortuary Thursday to the home. Rev. Robert Bagnell, pastor of the First M. E. church, of which Mr. Woods was a member, will have charge of the funeral services.
Samuel Woods and His Family (1939) by Ruth Woods Dayton, pp. 159-162:
[5. Samuel Van Horn Woods—(the writer's father), born at "Philippa," Virginia, on August 31, 1856, and died in Charleston. West Virginia, on June 3, 1937, in his eighty-first year, and is buried beside his wife in Sunset Memorial Park, Charleston, West Virginia. Samuel V. Woods received his education from public schools and private tutors, and attended the West Virginia University, which he was compelled to leave before graduation because of ill health, although later he had remarkably fine health the remainder of his life. He studied law under his father, and was examined before, and was admitted to practice by, the State Supreme Court of Appeals upon the motion of William L. Wilson in 1881, from which time he practiced law in Philippi until 1924, when lie removed to Charleston, West Virginia, where he continued to practice, although semi-retired, until his death. He married Mollie (Mary Alice) Strickler, daughter of Isaac Harrison Strickler and Margaret Jane Jarvis Strickler, of Philippi, on March 9, 1892, Mr. Strickler being a merchant. She was born on August 8, 1858, and died on May 31, 1937, and was buried the day before her husband died. They had one daughter, Ruth Neeson Woods, born February 24, 1894; married June 14, 1916, to Arthur S. Dayton, who was born May 6, 1887, and is a lawyer of Charles ton, West Virginia, and a son of Judge Alston G. Dayton and Lummie Sinsel Dayton, of Philippi. They have no children.
Samuel V. Woods was a distinguished, fine looking man, six feet tall, large frame, very erect, with a quiet, dignified bearing and courteous manner. He inherited the light, elastic step of his father. He had pale blue eyes, fair skin, and light brown hair. He was a man of great force and strength of character, and at the same time a most gentle man,—kindly, thoughtful, and extremely generous. The following is a professional opinion of his ability, quoted from "The History of West Virginia, Old and New":
"In his court work he has always been distinguished for the thoroughness of his preparation, the tact of his examination of witnesses, his accurate knowledge of all the details of pleading and practice, and coolness and self-poise which he exhibits under circumstances of the most adverse and trying nature. As an advocate, he is gifted with logical powers and a faculty of expression, simple and lucid. His diction is clear and correct, his language forceful and pointed, and on all occasions he shows the power of an able public speaker and debater, and is an honorable and upright attorney."
He was actively interested in politics, being a strong Democrat. Though living in a strongly Republican county and senatorial and congressional district, he was elected to the State Senate in 1910 from the Thirteenth District. In 1913, with a Senate equally divided politically, he was unanimously elected President of the Senate, and as such was ex-officio Lieutenant-Governor of the State. In 1880 he was Elector-at-Large for the State; delegate in 1892 to the National Democratic Convention; Presidential Elector Second West Virginia District in 1896; served as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney of Barbour County in 1884; was Mayor of Philippi two terms, 1886, and twice was Democratic nominee for Congress from the Second District—in 1916 and 1918.
Samuel V. Woods was a useful and prominent member of the Methodist Church, of Philippi, and also (after moving to Charleston, West Virginia) a valued member of the First Methodist Church on Quarrier Street,—being a splendid Bible student and a learned teacher in both churches, as well as successively a member of the Board of Trustees of each. He was a delegate to the General Conference of the M. E. Church in Saratoga, New York, in 1916; a delegate to the Methodist General Conference in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1920; a member of the Sixth Ecumenical Council of the M. E. Church in America in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1932. Many times through the years he gave religious talks in various churches over the State. He was much interested in Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, West Virginia, and served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1906 to 1937, and was President of the Board, 1926-1928. By reason of the age retirement regulation, the last few years of his tenure he was a Member Emeritus. He gave much property and money to the College, and also built a Pergola spring on the campus, as a gift of the "Woods Class" of 1916—the same year in which the College conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. He was a member of the Board of the Davis Child Shelter, in Charleston, for a number of years, and actively interested in its welfare. During the World War Mr. Woods served as a Four Minute speaker, was a member of the Barbour County Legal Advisory Board, and was President of the Barbour County Red Cross Chapter. He was a man of wide reading and culture, had a fine literary style and ability in writing. He had owned farms and cattle in his earlier life, and enjoyed riding and fishing. He loved nature, and possessed a store of knowledge of birds and animals, and had a deep interest and feeling for the beauty of the out-of-doors. He revelled in the sky, the trees, and all the beauty of God's handiwork. He was a gifted public speaker, fluent and forceful, poised and clear-thinking, fearless in his stand on the right side of any question, public or private, a quiet, wise and kindly dignity, and a never failing gentlemanly and courteous manner that endeared him to all with whom he came in contact.
"His life was gentle, and the elements So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, 'This was a man!' "
He was the last of the Woods family bearing that name, one of the most prominent in West Virginia history.]
Obituary:
WOODS RITES WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY
Noted Lawyer Is Taken; Follows His Wife
Published: Friday, 04 Jun 1937, Charleston Daily Mail p. 1
Funeral service for Samuel V. Woods, 81, a former president of the state senate, distinguished attorney and Democratic party leader, who died Thursday night at a hospital following an illness of six weeks, will be held at the home at 1546 Virginia street Saturday at 2:30 o'clock. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial park.
Mr. Woods' death followed that of his wife, Mrs. Mollie Strickler Woods, by only four days. She succumbed at her home Monday.
A native of Barbour county where he was born August 31, 1856. Mr. Woods was a member of a family distinguished for its accomplishments in the legal and educational fields. He was a son of Judge and Isabella Neeson Woods. His father was a member of the state superme court of appeals and his uncle and two brothers also were lawyers.
Mr. Woods attended West Virginia University, after receiving his preliminary education from private tutors, and then studied law under his father. He was admitted to the West Virginia bar in 1881 and practiced at Philippi.
Politics clained the interest of Mr. Woods early in his career. He was a delegate to the Democratic national convention of 1890, later serving as mayor of Philippi for two terms. He was elected to the state senate in 1910, serving two terms, and was elevated to the presidency of the senate in the session of 1913. He was twice the Democratic nominee for congress from the second district.
An older brother, Frank Woods, of Grafton and Baltimore, died in 1900. Another brother, John Hopkins Woods, died in 1921. An uncle, James Neeson, was arguing a case before the Virginia supreme court of appeals at Richmond in 1871 when the courtroom floor collapsed, falling to the chamber of the house of delegates below and killing many persons. Mr. Neeson was injured.
Mr. Woods for a score of years served as a member and president of the board of trustees of West Virginia Wesleyan college, an institution that his father helped to found. Wesleyan later conferred upon him the degree of doctor of laws. Fraternally he was a Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias.
In 1893 Mr. Woods married Miss Mollie Strickler, of Philippi, who died Monday. They had one daughter, who is now Mrs. Arthur S. Dayton, of Charleston. Before coming to Charleston in 1924 Mr. Woods was a director and later president of the Citizens bank of that city. He had been retired for about 13 years.
Mr. Woods' father was a native of Canada. After coming to the United States he became principal of the Morgantown academy, forerunner of Wesst Virginia university. He served as a captain in the Confederate army and was a delegate to the Virginia general convention at which the article of secession was adopted.
Later the elder Mr. Woods served as a member of the West Virginia constitutional convention. He had the distinction of being one of the three graduates of Allegheny college, Meadville, Pa. to receive the honorary degree of doctor of laws from the institution in its century of existence. He also was one of the organizers of the Grafton and Greenbrier Railroad company, which connected the town of Grafton with the Chesapeake & Ohio railroad.
Mr. Woods' body was removed from the Simpson mortuary Thursday to the home. Rev. Robert Bagnell, pastor of the First M. E. church, of which Mr. Woods was a member, will have charge of the funeral services.
Samuel Woods and His Family (1939) by Ruth Woods Dayton, pp. 159-162:
[5. Samuel Van Horn Woods—(the writer's father), born at "Philippa," Virginia, on August 31, 1856, and died in Charleston. West Virginia, on June 3, 1937, in his eighty-first year, and is buried beside his wife in Sunset Memorial Park, Charleston, West Virginia. Samuel V. Woods received his education from public schools and private tutors, and attended the West Virginia University, which he was compelled to leave before graduation because of ill health, although later he had remarkably fine health the remainder of his life. He studied law under his father, and was examined before, and was admitted to practice by, the State Supreme Court of Appeals upon the motion of William L. Wilson in 1881, from which time he practiced law in Philippi until 1924, when lie removed to Charleston, West Virginia, where he continued to practice, although semi-retired, until his death. He married Mollie (Mary Alice) Strickler, daughter of Isaac Harrison Strickler and Margaret Jane Jarvis Strickler, of Philippi, on March 9, 1892, Mr. Strickler being a merchant. She was born on August 8, 1858, and died on May 31, 1937, and was buried the day before her husband died. They had one daughter, Ruth Neeson Woods, born February 24, 1894; married June 14, 1916, to Arthur S. Dayton, who was born May 6, 1887, and is a lawyer of Charles ton, West Virginia, and a son of Judge Alston G. Dayton and Lummie Sinsel Dayton, of Philippi. They have no children.
Samuel V. Woods was a distinguished, fine looking man, six feet tall, large frame, very erect, with a quiet, dignified bearing and courteous manner. He inherited the light, elastic step of his father. He had pale blue eyes, fair skin, and light brown hair. He was a man of great force and strength of character, and at the same time a most gentle man,—kindly, thoughtful, and extremely generous. The following is a professional opinion of his ability, quoted from "The History of West Virginia, Old and New":
"In his court work he has always been distinguished for the thoroughness of his preparation, the tact of his examination of witnesses, his accurate knowledge of all the details of pleading and practice, and coolness and self-poise which he exhibits under circumstances of the most adverse and trying nature. As an advocate, he is gifted with logical powers and a faculty of expression, simple and lucid. His diction is clear and correct, his language forceful and pointed, and on all occasions he shows the power of an able public speaker and debater, and is an honorable and upright attorney."
He was actively interested in politics, being a strong Democrat. Though living in a strongly Republican county and senatorial and congressional district, he was elected to the State Senate in 1910 from the Thirteenth District. In 1913, with a Senate equally divided politically, he was unanimously elected President of the Senate, and as such was ex-officio Lieutenant-Governor of the State. In 1880 he was Elector-at-Large for the State; delegate in 1892 to the National Democratic Convention; Presidential Elector Second West Virginia District in 1896; served as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney of Barbour County in 1884; was Mayor of Philippi two terms, 1886, and twice was Democratic nominee for Congress from the Second District—in 1916 and 1918.
Samuel V. Woods was a useful and prominent member of the Methodist Church, of Philippi, and also (after moving to Charleston, West Virginia) a valued member of the First Methodist Church on Quarrier Street,—being a splendid Bible student and a learned teacher in both churches, as well as successively a member of the Board of Trustees of each. He was a delegate to the General Conference of the M. E. Church in Saratoga, New York, in 1916; a delegate to the Methodist General Conference in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1920; a member of the Sixth Ecumenical Council of the M. E. Church in America in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1932. Many times through the years he gave religious talks in various churches over the State. He was much interested in Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, West Virginia, and served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1906 to 1937, and was President of the Board, 1926-1928. By reason of the age retirement regulation, the last few years of his tenure he was a Member Emeritus. He gave much property and money to the College, and also built a Pergola spring on the campus, as a gift of the "Woods Class" of 1916—the same year in which the College conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. He was a member of the Board of the Davis Child Shelter, in Charleston, for a number of years, and actively interested in its welfare. During the World War Mr. Woods served as a Four Minute speaker, was a member of the Barbour County Legal Advisory Board, and was President of the Barbour County Red Cross Chapter. He was a man of wide reading and culture, had a fine literary style and ability in writing. He had owned farms and cattle in his earlier life, and enjoyed riding and fishing. He loved nature, and possessed a store of knowledge of birds and animals, and had a deep interest and feeling for the beauty of the out-of-doors. He revelled in the sky, the trees, and all the beauty of God's handiwork. He was a gifted public speaker, fluent and forceful, poised and clear-thinking, fearless in his stand on the right side of any question, public or private, a quiet, wise and kindly dignity, and a never failing gentlemanly and courteous manner that endeared him to all with whom he came in contact.
"His life was gentle, and the elements So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, 'This was a man!' "
He was the last of the Woods family bearing that name, one of the most prominent in West Virginia history.]
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
