The Wood Families of Greene County, Missouri

JAMES G. WOOD.

One of the worthy citizens of Greene county, who has lived to see and take part in its development during the past sixty-two years, is James G. Wood, for a long lapse of years one of our leading agriculturists and stock raisers, now living in retirement enjoying the fruits of his former industry, and although he is past eighty-two years of age, he is in possession of all his faculties and enjoys life to the fullest extent as a result, no doubt, of wholesome living and thinking. He came here from the sunny South in the ante-bellum days, when this city was an insignificant village and when the county was sparsely settled and practically a wilderness or a wild prairie. His long life of usefulness and honor has won for him the sincere affection of all who have known him. His early industry has resulted in his possession of a neat competence, and while he still enjoys the glow of the golden rays of the sun of life that must eventually set behind the horizon of the inevitable, he shares that enjoyment with no stint in the companionship of the members of his family and his wide circle of friends, won through his continued residence here of over six decades.

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in England in 1804, and died in 1866. To John Wood and wife thirteen children were born, namely: Hannah, who was born in England, married

John AVilliams, of Tennessee, and after his death in 1850, she married a Mr. Earrier, in 1854, he being a matter; her son, John W. Williams, became a leading hardware merchant in Springheld, Missouri, and with him she spent the latter part of her life. James G. Wood, subject of this sketch, was the next child; John M.; Martha E., who married J. M. Powell, also became a resident of Springfield. The other children all died in infancy. After the death of the mother of these children, John Wood married Mrs. kl E. Weaver, widow of Joseph Weaver, and prior to her marriage to this gentleman the widow of a Mr. Shackelford. She spent the latter part of her life in Springfield. John Wood emigrated with his wife and child to the United States when a young man, and was later followed by two brothers and one sister, James, Samuel and Ann, He located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he followed the trade of a cotton spinner, which he had learned in the old country, and eventually became an expert in that line of work. Mr. Wood moved to Huntsville, Alabama, where he erected a power loom for the manufacture of cotton goods, which was the first built in that state. From there he made many trips to Philadelphia for the purpose of purchasing machinery for his looms and at one time made the long journey on horseback. He was a man of exceptional physical endurance, robust and courageous. In 1834 he removed to Rockford, Illinois, being the third settler there, and there endured the many hardships incident to life on the frontier. He made numerous trips to Chicago, then a mere village. He became the owner of a ferry boat at Rockford, which was one of the very first to cross the Rock river at that point, and there he maintained a shop in which he did all kinds of engineering work. He removed to Franklin, Tennessee, where he built the first power loom ever used in that state. He then engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods and in his establishment was manufactured the canvas that covered the wagons of many of the early emigrants who left that country to come to Greene county, Alissouri, prominent among them being the Rountrees. In 1836 he located in Lawrence county, Tennessee, where he built a cotton mill and engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods for about sixteen years, and during that period also managed a large plantation, and was most successful in both enterprises. In 1853 came to Greene county, Alissouri, locating on Grand Prairie, northwest of Springfield. where he became the owner of a fine tract of land, which he developed by the assistance of his sons, his advanced age compelling him to merely oversee the place. During the Civil war he removed to Aladison county, Arkansas, where he remained until 1864. and while there engaged in the manufacture of knives and other utensils. After the close of the war he re- 8i8 turned to Greene county and lived a retired life until his death at the age of eighty-two years, dying in Springfield, April 30, 1887. Politically he was a. Whig and while active in political matters was never an office seeker. Religiously he was a member of the Christian church, and an active worker in the Sunday school. He even purchased a printing press on which he printed a Sunday school paper and cards for the Sunday school pupils. He was very liberal in his support of the church. He made money rapidly and was always lenient with his debtors, never suing anyone who owed him. He was a great Bible student and was well posted on the current topics of the day, was interested in the sciences, especially astronomy, and he made for himself a splendid telescope, some six feet long, which instrument is now in possession of his son, James G., of this review. By the exercise of his varied talents he accumulated a large property, and this, with an untarnished name, he left to his children. He did all his work thoroughly and believed that whatever was worth doing at all was worth doing well, and besides his other fields of enterprise he was an expert hook-binder. His cotton factory in Tennessee had an overshot wheel thirty-five feet in diameter, and at the same time intelligently conducting this factory he also operated a tannery on a large scale in connection with his other enterprises. He was musically inclined, and first his own instructor in this art he later was able to instruct others. He made a number of musical instruments, all of which he could play, and they were considered excellent of their kind. He was never contented unless busy at something and even in his last days was always working. He was one of those men who had a keen observing faculty, and Mother Nature in her varied forms possessed great beauty and attraction for him, and while on his way to and from Philadelphia from Huntsville, Alabama, he always took occasion to visit the Natural Bridge in Virginia. He was one of the best known men in Greene county and was greatly admired and esteemed by all.

James G. Wood spent his boyhood days assisting his father with his various pursuits, principally about his cotton mills and farms, and he also learned the tanner's trade, and for some time had the management of that branch of his father’s business. Although the opportunities to obtain an education in those days were not the best, he improved those he had, and, remaining a wide reader and close observer always he became a well informed man.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JAMES G. WOOD.

Mr. Wood is the son of John and Elizabeth (Morris) Wood, and was born in Madison county, Alabama, February 24, 1832. In 1834 his parents moved to Illinois and took up a claim where the city of Rockford now stands. In 1836 they moved to Lawrence county, Tennessee, where James grew to manhood and learned the trade of tanner and shoemaker. He moved to Greene county, Missouri, in 1852 where he was engaged in farming and stock-rearing until 1861. He then went to <kansas where he followed tanning and shoemaking until 1864, when he came back to this county, and has since been engaged in the rearing of stock and farming. He owns a farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres, finely improved. He was married in 1857 to Miss Susan, daughter of Henderson and Sallie J. (Hail) Dishough. Her father was a native of North Carolina and her mother of Tennessee, Her grandfather was a native of France, and herself of Lawrence county, Tennessee. Her father was killed by lightning in 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have had two children, one living, Susan J. Mr. Wood's parents came from England to the United States in 1827. His father was a skilled mechanic and cotton-spinner. He operated the first cotton mill in Tennessee, and became quite wealthy.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

From the farms of Greene county the city of Springfield has drawn its best citizenship during the past half century. The farmer boy, tiring of what he considers drudgery, is often glad of an opportunity to leave the plow and take a position in the city, no matter if the work is really harder than his former work. Often he is wise in making the change; again, it is questionable if he better his condition. The railroad shops here have absorbed the larger number of these young men from the rural districts. Employing such large numbers of men and paying good wages, the prospective employee has usually found a place waiting for him in some one of the many departments of the Frisco's local plants, and if he has been energetic, wide-awake and trustworthy, he has found his services appreciated and has been advanced accordingly. Albert Wood is one of the boys who left the farm and went to work in the shops, and, while yet a young man, he has risen to the position of foreman of the steel car repairing department in the North Side Frisco shops.

Mr. Wood was born in Franklin township, Greene county, on February 22. 1886. He is a son of Alec J. and Sarah (Johnson) Wood, the mother, a daughter of Zadock Wood, is now fifty-two years old. The father was born and reared in this county, four miles from his present farm in Franklin township, where he owns fifty acres, and has always engaged in general farming, lie is fifty-four years old. Politically, he is a Republican, and for ten years was road overseer in his community, and has done more for the good roads movement there than any other one man. Me is a member of the Xew Salem church.

To Alec J. Wood and wife four children have been born, namely: Roxie is the wife of Julius Webber, a farmer of Franklin township; Albert, of this sketch; Clarence is employed in the North Side Frisco shops; Madge lives at home.

James Wood, paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of England, having been born in the world's greatest city — London. He emigrated to America when a young man. locating first in New Orleans. Louisiana, where he lived tor some time, finally coming to Missouri in an early day. lie entered a homestead in Franklin township, Greene county, and here established the future home of the family, and developed a farm from the wilds. He served in the Federal army during the Civil war in the Home ( yards.

Albert Wood grew to manhood on the homestead and there worked when he was a boy. He received his education in the district schools, and remained with his parents until U)n. when he came to Springfield and secured employment in the freight yards of the Xorth Side Frisco shops as laborer. Three months later he went to work at steel car repairing, and remained at this until 1912, when he was appointed foreman of the steel car repairing department there, and has held this responsible position ever since, giving splendid satisfaction. He has forty-two hands under his direction.

.Mr. Wood was married in December, 1910, to Effie Bleckledge, a daughter of Frank Bleckledge and wife. To this union two children have been born, namely: Thelma and Alice.

Politicallv Mr. Wood is a Republican. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and to the Methodist Episcopal church.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.