WOODS, James, banker and iron merchant, was born in Montgomery County, Va., Dec. 10, 1793, son of James Woods. When he was nineteen years of age he went to Nashville, Tenn., where his elder brothers were established in business, but soon removed to Trenton, Ky., and opened a general store. He returned to Nashville in 1819 and engaged in the grocery and commission business and also established a transportation business. His brothers, in connection with Thomas Yeatman, carried on a large banking business under the style of Yeatman, Woods & Co., and also operated iron works on an extended scale in Stewart county, Tenn. After the death of Mr. Yeatman and the retirement of Joseph Woods, he became associated with his brother Robert in the management of these enterprises, the ill-health of his brother soon throwing the entire burden upon his shoulders. He successfully conducted the business of the bank through the trying times from 1837 to 1842, and on a final liquidation, distributed to the owners ten times as much as the estimated assets when he took charge. The iron business was equally successful, and Mr. Woods virtually controlled the New Orleans market, the product of his iron works competing successfully with the best from Sweden and Norway. During fifty years of active business life in Nashville, Mr. Woods controlled large interests, affecting all classes in the community, and with such justice and fairness that he attained an enviable reputation among his associates. In private life he was noted for his unostentatious charity. Mr. Woods was married at Trenton, Ky., to Elizabeth Ann Kay of the adjoining town of Elkton, who bore him several children. He died at Nashville, Aug. 9, 1875.
