John Woods (Pennsylvania)

John Woods, (1761, Bedford, Pennsylvania – December 16, 1816, Brunswick County, Virginia) was a Pennsylvania State Senator in Pennsylvania. He was the son of Colonel George and Jane McDowell. John was instructed by his father on land surveying. John, his father and his brother George, Jr performed the original survey of Pittsburgh. The survey established the future boundaries of Pittsburgh including a tract called "John Woods Plan". John married Theodosius Higbee in about 1780. The two settled in Bedford, briefly, soon after. John's brother Henry Woods was also a U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania.

Woods studied law and was admitted to the bar in Washington County, Pennsylvania in December 1783, in Westmoreland County and Fayette County in 1784, in Allegheny County on December 16, 1788, and in Bedford County in 1791.

Woods was on his way back from South Carolina to recuperate from his poor health when he died at the age of 55, only two years into his term.

Woods studied law and joined the bar in 1781. He also was a major in the militia and moved to Washington county the same year. In 1784, he joined the Westmoreland and Fayette County bars; He then joined the Allegheny County bar in 1788 and the Bedford bar in 1791. His career was considered successful at the time due to ties to other prominent families in the area. His sister Jane married David Espy and his sister Anne married prominent James Ross, a Pittsburgh attorney. While working David Espy, the collaborative work of the two was described as a powerful influence in Western Pennsylvania at the time. With Hugh Brackentidge and Alexander Addison, Woods was controlled legal system in Pittsburgh from 1788 until the mid-1790s. Woods was the attorney representing Pressley Neville who had lost his home during the Whiskey Rebellion. He was lottery manager helping to found the Pittsburgh Academy in 1796. His political career included serving as a presidential elector and caucus nominee for Congress in 1798.

...
Wikipedia