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| pg. 193 Sanford B. Wood, liveryman at Big Rapids, was born in Greenfield, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Feb. 12, 1822, two and one-half miles from Saratoga Springs. His parents, Benj. K. and Phoebe (Hanford) Wood, removed to Hillsdale Co., Mich., when the son was 14 years of age. He spent his early youth on the farm of his father, and at 18 bought a team and set out in life to make his way alone. He engaged in breaking land and was thus occupied two years. He then purchased 60 acres of land in Litchfield Tp., Hillsdale Co., and proceeded to establish a home. In 1862 he moved into Litchfield to take charge of the business of a deceased brother, and in '63 opened a livery stable, which he transferred in 1870 to Big Rapids, and soon after exchanged his property for a sash, door and shingle mill, and associated with Simeon Pomeroy in business. The latter took charge of the mill which went into operation in April, 1871, and blew up in October following. It was put in full repair and Mr. Wood gave the business his personal attention until the total destruction of the property by fire, which occurred in June, 1877: loss, $13,000. and no insurance. In 1878 Mr. Wood again embarked in t he livery business, starting with four horses and no carriages. His trade has been successful and is now established on a permanent basis, with 22 horses, carriages and all the equipment of a first-class establishment. Mr. Woods owns his stables and two lots. He married at Mayville, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Feb. 4, 1844, to Jane, daughter of Elijah Moore. She was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., April 29, 1821. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have had three children, of whom two are living. Phebe, eldest daughter, is the wife of Harvey B. Eggleston, a farmer in Litchfield, Hillsdale Co., Mich.; Lucy, youngest child, married Charles B. Lovejoy, a book-keeper at Big Rapids. Marcellus, second child and only son, was killed by the kick of a horse when in his sixteenth year. |