John F. Wood, Sr.

John F. Wood, Sr.

JOHN F. WOOD, SR., farmer, section 24, Garfield Township, was born in Upper Jay, Essex Co., N.Y., March 20, 1821, and is a son of Jonas B. and Hannah (Reed) Wood. His father was born in New England, of English lineage, and died in Essex County, May 12, 1830, aged 56 years. The mother died at Upper Jay, June 18, 1863, in her 83rd year.

Mr. Wood worked on a farm summers and attended school winters until he had attained the age of 18 years, when he became a student at the academy at Moriah, Essex Co., N.Y., and there completed his education. After arriving at the estate of manhood he took charge of the homestead, which he continued to manage for a period of ten years. He was married at Rouse Point, Clinton Co., N.Y., in May 1847, to Amelia Lewis, who died Oct. 4, 1848. Mr. Wood remained a resident of his native county until 1857, when he came to Newaygo and engaged in agriculture and lumbering, interesting himself actively in all branches thereunto pertaining, also buying pine lands and putting in timber. He leased the old Brooks saw-mill, which he managed three years. In 18-- he purchased the farm property where he now resides, consisting of 250 acres, 200 of which yet remain in his possession. He has cleared 60 acres and made many valuable improvements.

Mr. Wood was a second time married Dec. 29, 1864, to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Isabella (Richardson) Walker of Detroit, Wayne Co., Mich. The parents were natives of Scotland, which was also the birthplace of Mrs. Wood. She was born in the parish of St. Boswell, Roxburyshire, Scotland, Nov. 25, 1831, and emigrated to Detroit in June, 1853. She went to England in 1862 and after a stay there of two years returned to the United States, accompnaied by her parents. Her mother died at Detroit, May 3, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Wood aheb three children: Isabel H., born June 3, 1866; Charles B., Jan. 20, 1868; John F., Jan. 27, 1872.

In the fall of 1864 Mr. Wood was elected Sheriff of Newaygo County and served one term. He is a Deacon of the Congregational Church, of which body his wife is also a member. He is prominent in all measures of reform, and is well known as an active adherent to and promoter of the cause of temperance.

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