D. WOODS, county clerk, was born in Livingston County, May 20, 1839, and is a son of H. W. and Nellie Ann (Hodge) Woods, both natives of Kentucky. H. W. Woods was a son of David Woods. He was born March 30, 1811, and lived the greater part of his life in Livingston County, dying July 11, 1880. Subject's maternal ancestors were from North Carolina, his grandfather, Robert Hodge, emigrating from that State in an early day and settling in Livingston County, near the town of Salem, where he died in 1845. Subject's paternal ancestors were from Virginia. Subject's mother died when he was about six years old. She was the mother of four children, viz.: David, R. H., Dr. J. E. (of Augusta, Ark.), and Nellie (deceased wife of Dr. P. Y. McCoy, of Evansville, Ind.). Our subject was thrown upon his own rescources early in life, and at the age of fifteen, came to Marion and engaged as clerk in the mercantile house of his uncle, J. N. Woods, with whom he remained five or six years. In 1859 he engaged in merchandising in Marion and carried on a general store until 1878, at which time he disposed of his business in order to take charge of the county clerk's office, to which he was elected that year. He was re-elected in 1880, without opposition, a circumstance which attests his popularity as an officer with the people of the county. Mr. Woods was married November 16, 1859, to Miss Havana E. Perkins, daughter of Rev. George K. and Elizabeth O. (Gray) Perkins, of Decatur, Ala. Mr. and Mrs. Woods have a family of six children, viz.: H. K., Lena, Ina C., David E., Kittie B., and Sallie. Mr. Woods is a member of the Masonic order and K. of H., and votes the Democratic ticket. He and family are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 740-741.