Matilda J. (Burgoyne) Woods was born in about 1838 in Ohio, likely Muskingum County, the daughter of James and Mary (Miner) Burgoyne.

After the untimely death of her sister Mahala Woods, the 21-year-old Matilda married her widowed brother-in-law, William Woods (1820- ? ). The nuptials were held on Feb. 24, 1860, in Howard County, IN.

When the federal census enumeration was made in 1860, the newlywed Woodses lived on a farm in Liberty Township, Howard County.

In addition to the offspring from his first marriage, the couple produced more children of their own -- Robert "Ellsworth" Woods, William Woods, Oscar Josiah Woods and Cora Woods.

After a dozen years of marriage, Matilda died in Kokomo on March 1, 1872 at age 34.

William wedded for a third time, on Feb. 27, 1873, to Ohio native Nancy Ann Morris (April 27, 1842-1931), daughter of William and Mahala (Waters) Morris who were considered pioneers of the Sycamore community of Howard County. The bride was 22 years younger than the groom.

Walnut Street in Kokomo, early 1900s

They are shown together in the 1880 census of Liberty Township. William served as a township trustee and Howard County commissioner "for a number of years, making an efficient officer," said Charles Blanchard's 1883 book Counties of Howard and Tipton, Indiana.

Evidence suggests that William died in the 1880s or the 1890s.

The widowed, 56-year-old Nancy is listed in the 1900 census of Greentown, Liberty Township, living alone, and having borne no children. She outlived her husband by decades and was a membrer of the Methodist Church.

At the age of 87, she died in the Howard County Infirmary on Oct. 29, 1931 "following several years of invalidism," reported the Kokomo Tribune. The cause of death was stated as acute enteritis and senility. Funeral services were held at the Greentown Wesleyan Methodist Church, followed by interment in Greentown's Greenlawn Cemetery. Mrs. Myrtle Tuck of Kokomo signed the death certificate.

~ Son Robert "Ellsworth" Woods ~

Son Robert "Ellsworth" Woods (1860- ? ) was born on Dec. 15, 1860 in Liberty Township, Howard County, IN. He grew up working on his father's farm.

On Nov. 5, 1885, in Howard County, Ellsworth married Flora Watson (1864- ? ).

They were the parents of one known son, William H. Wood.

Ellsworth earned a living over the years as a machine hand in a cabinet works. Circa 1900, their home was in Noble, Wabash County, IN.

Ellsworth passed away on Oct. 18, 1927.

Son William H. Wood (1898- ? ) was born in 1898.

~ Son William Woods ~

Son William Woods (1863-1948) was born on Jan. 22, 1863 in Greentown in Liberty Township, Howard County, IN. He grew to manhood laboring on the farm of his father.

William wedded Mary Ann Nugent (1865-1940).

The couple bore a daughter, Ada L. Woods.

Eventually, they relocated to Columbia, Caldwell Parish, LA. Circa 1946, when named in the Kokomo Tribune obituary of his brother Oscar, William lived in Columbia.

He died there on June 18, 1948.

Daughter Ada L. Woods (1902-1974) was born in 1902. She died in 1974.

~ Son Oscar Josiah "Joe" Woods ~

Son Oscar Josiah "Joe" Woods (1866-1946) was born in 1866 in Liberty Township, Howard County, IN.

He spent his growing-up years on his father's farm in Liberty Township and remained in the community for virtually his entire life.

At the age of 21, on Dec. 10, 1887, Oscar married Susannah "Susie" Cook (Sept. 15, 1866-1963), daughter of Amos and Ruth (McGill) Cook of Greentown, Howard County.

The children born to this marriage included Garah A. Woods and Donald A. "Doc" Woods.

They lived on a farm near Greentown for five decades and were "devoted" members of the local Methodist Church and the Odd Fellows lodge. Circa 1931, when named in the Kokomo Tribune obituary of his stepmother, he dwelled in Greentown, Howard County.

Oscar passed away on Nov. 7, 1946, with burial in Greenlawn Cemetery in Greentown. Rev. E.L. Ferris officiated at the funeral, with an obituary appearing in the Tribune.

In her later years, Susannah was admitted to the Methodist Memorial Home in Warren, IN, where she spent the final nearly four years of her life. She died there on Sept. 5, 1963.

Son Garah A. Woods (1888-1956) was born in 1888. Circa 1946, he made a home at 318 West Jefferson Street in Kokomo. At his death in 1956, burial was in Kokomo Memorial Park Cemetery.

Son Donald A. "Doc" Woods (1895-1978) was born on April 13, 1895. He wedded Blanche Esther Bryant (1900-1987). The couple dwelled in Muncie, Delaware County, IN. Donald died in Florida at the age of 83 on April 20, 1978. His remains were shipped to Indiana to be placed into repose in Gardens of Memory mausoleum in Muncie. Blanche lived for another nine years and succumbed in 1987.

~ Daughter Cora Woods ~

Daughter Cora Woods (1869-1880) was born in 1869 in Liberty Township, Howard County, IN. She is thought to have died by 1880.