Veteran Architect Leaves Monument

Many of Ogden’s Public Buildings Were Designed by F. C. Woods

Ogden, April 12.—While it is yet impossible, owing to the uncertain time of arrival of out-of-town relatives to announce definite arrangements, it is probable that the funeral of Francis C. Woods, an Ogden architect and Utah pioneer, who died at his home last evening, will be held Sunday.  The services as now planned will be held at the First ward meeting house at 12 o’clock noon, Bishop D. H. Ensign conducting.

With the exception of a thirteen years’ residence in Idaho, Mr. Woods had resided in Ogden since coming to Utah from England about fifty years ago.  He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, January 12, 1844.  While working as an apprentice organ builder he was converted to the Mormon faith, and under the leadership of President L. W. Shurtliff, came to Utah, with a band of immigrants, arriving on the first through passenger train over the Union Pacific.

After residing in Ogden until 1876, he removed to Idaho, where he attained distinction as an architect.  He designed and superintended the construction of many public buildings, throughout the state.  Returning to Ogden in 1889, Mr. Woods became head of the firm of F. C. Woods & Co., architects.  St. Joseph’s church, the Presbyterian church, the Healy hotel building, the Madison, Quincy and South Washington school buildings and many other structures were designed by him.

The widow, eight sons and five daughters survive Mr. Woods; also a brother, C. H. Woods, and three sisters, the latter residing in England.

[Salt Lake Tribune¸ Apr. 1912]

[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Jan. 2007]

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Woods Funeral Impressive
Loving Tributes, Song and Ceremony Mark Last Rites

Ogden, April 14—Music by the Ogden Tabernacle Choir and addressed by prominent officials of the Mormon Church marked the Funeral services which were held today for Francis C. Woods, a prominent architect and one of Utah’s pioneers.

The services were conducted at the First Ward Meeting House at noon, with Bishop D.H. Ensign in charge.  Hundreds of friends, many of them from surrounding towns and cities, attended the services, the funeral being one of the largest ever conducted in the Ward.

In addition to the selections by the choir, there were solos by George Douglas, Walter Stephens, Miss Elsie Shorten, and Mrs. Mary Parley.  President W.W. Shurtliff, who was in charge of the band of immigrants which included Mr. Woods when he came to Utah from England, was one of the speakers.  Mr. Woods and the other newcomers to the State arrived in Ogden on the first through train operated over the Union Pacific.  Other speakers were Bishop W.O. Ridges, and Apostle David O. McKay.

Interment was at the Ogden City Cemetery.

[Salt Lake Tribune, Apr. 1912]

Francis C. Woods Laid to Rest at Ogden

Ogden, April 14—The funeral of Francis C. Woods was held today at noon from the First Ward Chapel.  A large number of relatives and friends attending.  The services were conducted by Bishop D.H. Ensign.  The speakers were Bishop W.O. Ridges, President L.W. Shurtliffe, Apostle David O. McKay, and Bishop Ensign.

Prayer was offered by President C.F. Middleton and benediction pronounced by Counselor George Shorten.  Musical selections were rendered by George Douglas, Walter Stephens, Mrs. Elsie Shorten, and Mrs. Mary Farley.  Burial was in the City Cemetery.

[Herald-Republican, Apr. 1912]

[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Jan. 2007]

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F. C. Woods Called By Death

Ogden’s pioneer architect, Francis Charles Woods, passed away at his home, 331 Thirty-third street, at 4:15 Thursday afternoon.  Death was due to kidney trouble, an affliction from which the deceased had suffered for at least six months, but which did not manifest itself in a dangerous form until four days ago.  Deceased was a member of the firm of F. C. Woods & Co., a firm which had its offices in the First National Bank Building.  He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and his parents were of English descent.  He learned his profession under his father and grandfather, both of whom were architects.

Mr. Woods became acquainted with some Mormon missionaries while he was serving an apprenticeship in a pipe organ factory in London.  He was later converted and baptized by Charles W. Penrose.  Coming to Utah with a company of immigrants under the leadership of President L. W. Shurtliff, he alighting from the first through passenger train that reached Ogden.

Shortly afterward he took Evelyn Pratt, daughter of the late Parley P. Pratt, as his bride.  The family moved to Idaho in 1876, and Mr. Woods designed many of the most prominent buildings in Pocatello, Rexburg, Malad and Blackfoot.  In 1889 he returned to this city, and during his residence here he signed a great number of the substantial buildings of the city, such as St. Joseph’s Catholic church, the Presbyterian church, Healy Hotel, police station, the Madison, Quincy and South Washington schools, and many county schools, in addition to many store buildings and residences.

In addition to being one of the most prominent architects in the city, Mr. Woods was noted for his skill as an organ builder.  He made the great improvements in the Salt Lake Tabernacle organ, which is noted was wheezy.  When Mr. Woods arrived in Utah in 1869 he was called in to look at the organ, and he soon discovered the cause of the trouble.  The connections between the bellows and the pipes were too long and the first thing Mr. Woods did was to remove a large number of expensive pipes from the organ.  In that way a direct wind attack was obtained and the instrument has since deserved to….

[Ogden Standard, Apr. 1912]

[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Jan. 2007]

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Funeral of Francis C. Woods

Addresses by prominent officers of the Mormon church, and music by the Tabernacle choir, made up the services which were held over the late Francis C. Woods, architect, at the First ward meeting house Sunday noon.  Bishop D. H. Ensign was in charge of the funeral services, which were largely attended.  Many people from surrounding towns were present.

Aside from the music, which was furnished by the choir, there were solos by George Douglas, Walter Stephens, Miss Elsie Shorten and Mrs. Mary Farley.

One of the speakers was President L. W. Shurtliff, who was in charge of the party of emigrants whom Mr. Woods accompanied from England to Utah in an early day.  The deceased was a passenger on the first Union Pacific train that reached Ogden.

Short addresses were made by Bishop W. O. Ridges and Apostle D. O. McKay.  The remains were interred in the Ogden city cemetery.

[Ogden Standard, Apr. 1912]

[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Jan. 2007]

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Francis C. Woods Dies At Ogden Home

Pioneer Architect Succumbs After an Illness of Six Months

Francis Charles Woods, aged 68, Ogden’s pioneer architect, died at 4:15 p.m., Thursday of kidney trouble, at his home 331 Thirty-third street.  He had been ill and practically confined to his home for a period of six months but his condition had not grown serious until four days ago.  Physicians then decided that death would be but a matter of a few days or possibly hours as his condition was hopeless.

Mr. Woods was the senior member of the firm of F. C. Woods & Co., architects, with offices in the First National bank building.  He was born of English parents in Glasgow, Scotland, and was reared in London.  His father and grandfather were architects and under their instruction much of his early training was secured.

While serving an apprenticeship in the largest pipe organ firm of London, he became acquainted with some Mormon missionaries and was later converted and baptized by Charles W. Penrose.  He immigrated to Utah with a company of converts under the leadership of President L.W. Shurtliff, who was returning from a mission in Europe.  He arrived in Ogden on the first through passenger train reaching Ogden, alighting from the same at a point near the old Taylor mill at Riverdale.

He married Evelyn Pratt, youngest daughter of the late Parley P. Pratt, who survives him; also eight daughters and five sons.  He also leaves a brother, C. H. Woods, who is employed by the government in Oregon, and three sisters living in England.

In 1876 Mr. Woods moved to Idaho and was the architect of a number of Idaho’s first large buildings at Pocatello, Blackfoot, Malad and Rexburg….

[Ogden Examiner, Apr. 1912]

[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Jan. 2007]

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