Martha Irene Woods

Personal and Family Information

Martha was born on 22 Mar 1864 in Benton County, Arkansas , the daughter of Robert Samuel Woods and Martha Jane Maxwell.

She died on 17 Dec 1946 in Neosho, MIssouri.

She had two marriages/partners. Her first husband was Jasper F Cavness, who she married on 15 FEB 1885 in Benton County, Arkansas . Their three known children were Infant Son (1886-1886), Mattie Belle (1888-1889) and Myrtle (1889-1955).

Her second husband was Newton Preston Stipp, who she married on 31 DEC 1918 in Newton County, Missouri. They had no known children.

Pedigree Chart (3 generations)

Events

Multimedia

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Notes

Note 1

Professor” Jasper F. Cavness and Martha “Mattie” Jane Woods Cavness

A brief biography by John A. Skaggs

Jasper F. Cavness (aka Caviness) was born on Pea Ridge in Benton County, Arkansas, on February 5, 1860.

Ancestry
His father was John Perry Cavness (January 22, 1835 to March 7, 1862) who, with his brother, died fighting for Arkansas at Elk Horn Tavern during the Civil War Battle of Pea Ridge. John Perry Cavness was born at Sugar Creek, Benton County, and was only 27 at the time of his death. His mother was Louisa F. Walker Cavness.
 Jasper had one brother, William D. “Willie” Cavness, born 1861, who died in 1870.

His paternal grandparents were Edmund Demond Cavness and Rebecca Mitchell Cavness. Rebecca was born in 1811 in Tennessee and died after 19 Jun 1880. Both Edmund and Rebecca are buried in the Cherokee Cemetery, Cherokee, San Saba, Texas. Jasper's widowed mother apparently married a Mr. Garrett, there being a half- brother, Professor J. E. Garrett, and four half- sisters.

Education
From youth, Jasper F. Cavness showed a desire for a good education and by personal energy and effort he obtained a liberal education through the high schools and academies of the county. He received the highest grade certificates from county examiners.

Marriage & Children
On February 15, 1884, he married Miss Martha Jane Woods, aka “Mattie,” born May 17, 1864 in Benton County, to Robert Samuel Woods and Martha Jane Maxwell Woods. Jasper and Mattie were the parents of three children, two of whom died in infancy. A Cavness infant son born and died 1886 is buried in the Woods Cemetery. Their child Mattie Belle Cavness, born March 17, 1888, in Little Flock, and died June 9, 1889, is also buried in the Woods Cemetery. Their surviving child was Mrs. V. S. (Myrtle Cavness) Williams Guthrie (1889- 1955).

Career
The title of “Professor” was conferred upon Jasper F. Cavness as a courtesy after having taught in schools of Arkansas and Oklahoma for twenty-five years, according to his published obituary, “giving general satisfaction to his students and patrons.” He was also Superintendent of the Schools at Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Citizenship
At the time of his death, Professor Cavness and his wife resided in Star Hill, Washington County, Arkansas. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, a member of the I.O.O.F. “He was a man of some prominence where he was reared and was highly esteemed. He took considerable interest in politics and was often solicited to stand for office in Benton County, but preferred to use his influence for his friends.”

Christian Faith
In an obituary Rev. Peter Carnahan stated, “Some years ago (Professor Cavness) professed faith in Christ as his Savior, but, neglecting the means of grace essential to spiritual growth and development, he became cold and careless – had lost the “joy of salvation.” September, 1909, he sought and obtained this joy, united with the Presbyterian Church at Lincoln, Ark. and entered upon the faithful discharge of Christian Duties and was happy in his Christian life and work until his triumphant death.”

Death and Legacy
In 1910 while visiting his half-brother, Prof. J. “Elmer” Garrett, Professor Cavness became critically ill with “Bright's disease” with little hope of recovery. His wife and family gathered to attend him at his death on December 1, 1910 in Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas, at the age of 50 years. He is buried next to his children in the Woods Cemetery, Little Flock, Benton County, Arkansas. Martha “Mattie” Jane Wood Cavness died on December 17, 1946, in Neosho, Missouri and is buried there with her second husband, having resided with her daughter for many years. She was 82 years of age.

A legacy of Jasper F. and Mattie Jane Cavness is the beloved family of their descendants. They are among those who lived their lives, did their work, enjoyed their time, grieved their losses and are often forgotten. Mattie was a lady, like so many others of her time, who gave her life to be a faithful wife and mother, a link for generations to come. As a faithful teacher of youngsters for 30 years, Professor Cavness's influence now silent and seldom recalled, is nevertheless of great importance to thousands of current citizens whose lives are enriched by the knowledge and life lessons long ago passed to his many students.

Woods Cemetery Association Newsletter, Spring 2018, Volume 1, Issue 2 — edited to correct burial Mattie Irene Stipp in Nesho, and daughter 2nd marriage to Guthrie. 20 Sept 2019.

Note 2

Mrs. Stipp Dies Mrs. Mattie Stipp, longtime resident of Neosho and wife of Justice N. P. Stipp, died at her home, 320 Adams, last night around 2 o'clock following a year's illness.

The Stipp family, which is well known here, came to Neosho some 20 years ago from Arkansas. Mrs. Stipp was prominent in First Presbyterian Church activities and civic club work until her failing health precluded the work.

Surviving are Mr. Stipp and one daughter, Mrs. Myrtle Guthrie.

Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon in the First Presbyterian Church, The Rev. Homer Keith, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are in charge of Thompson's.

Neosho Daily Democrat Tuesday, December 17, 1946

**~***~**

Wife of N. P. Stipp.

Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Robert Woods.

findagrave MEMORIAL ID 9345654

Note 3

Mattie as nickname and both married names are noted in the attached “Woods History by Denton Woods” written in 1935 to document family and ancestors of father Robert Samuel Woods. Opening paragraph on page 1 lists living children including Martha ( Mrs. N.P. Stipp), page 6: Martha (Mattie) (1864- ) first married Jasper Caviness, later N.P. Stipp. Then again page 11: “Martha Woods, now called Mattie, Mattie Caviness Stipp ……worshiped by brothers….home at Neosho, Mo……..”