The Wood Families of Jackson County, Minnesota

WILLIAM WOOD (1856), deceased. The first white man to make a permanent home in Jackson county was William Wood, who came during the month of July, 1856, and in partnership with his brother, George Wood, built a home and established a trading post on the Des Moines river where the village of Jackson is now located. Here also, in a primitive way, they laid out a townsite, which they called Springfield. As the story of the lives of William and George Wood after they came to Jackson county is told in an earlier part of this work, this sketch will briefly outline their earlier history.

AVilliam Wood was one of a family of fifteen children born to Samuel and Elizabeth (Thomson) Wood, and the date of his birth was about 18.30. He descended from colonial stock. One of his ancestors was a Holland Dutch patron of the then New Netherlands; another was Smith Thompson, secretary of the navy and a judge of the supreme court: his paternal grandfather. James Wood, was a revolutionary soldier, his maternal grandfather, Smith Thompson, was a veteran of the war of 1812.

The father of William and George Wood died in 1847, leaving his wife and a large family of children. Being thus early thrown upon his own resources, William Wood became self-reliant. Early in the fifties he.left his mother's home in Ridgeville, Randolph county, Indiana, and located at the little village of JIankato, Minnesota, where he took a position as Indian trade with Robert W'ardlow, a merchant. WJiile engaged in his work he had occasion to visit the Des Moines river country and selected the site now occupied by Jackson village as a place to make his future home.

During the month of July, 1856, William Wood, accompanied by his brothers, George Charles, came to the site, engaged in business with a small stock of Indian trinkets and supplies, and made his home there until he was killed by the Indians in the massacre of March,

George McEIroy Wood, who also took a prominent part in the affairs of the little community about Springfield before the massacre, was born in 1827. After his father's death he became the head of the family and assisted his mother in supporting the family in various ways. He engaged in school teaching, which in that early day and country was considered quite an accomplishment. He was a religious and serious minded young man and was devoted to church and Sabbath school work. He came to.Jackson county with his brother in 1856 and was killed on the same day his brother met his fate. Both brothers were buried where they fell.

Charles Wood, the younger brother who also came in the fall of 1856, was sixteen or seventeen years of age at that time. He had gone to Mankato a few days before the massacre and so escaped the fate of his brothers. He later enlisted and fought for the union cause during the war of the rebellion, meeting his death at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, in the line of duty. Five of the Wood boys took part in the war.

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

JONAH H. WOOD (1874) is one of the early day settlers of Des Moines township. He owns the northeast quarter of section 27, a short distance west of Jackson.

The parents of J. H. Wood were Ahimaaz E., and Mary (Salmons) Wood, of old New England stock and of Scotch and German descent, respectively. The father died in Onondago county, New York, in 1845, aged 45 years. The mother came to Minnesota in the fall of 1856 and made her home with her sons. She died at the home of her son, J. H. Wood, in March, 1885, at the advanced age of 90 years. Si.x children were born to these parents. Mary E.. the eldest, died in 1906. Those living are Ardell (Mrs. Marcus Wescott), of Syracuse, New York; Jonah H., of this biography; Jesse S., of Fargo, North Dakota; Carrie J. Loop, of Eureka, Wisconsin; Ahimaaz E., of Fargo, North Dakota.

The subject of this biography was born in Onondago county, New York, December 8, 1833. He was brought up in the county of his birth and resided with his parents until his father died when he was twenty years of age. After his father's death he lived with his mother and worked at the trades of carpenter and joiner until he was twenty-two years old.

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

CLARK A. WOOD (1872), ex-sheriff of Jackson county and ex-postmaster of Heron Lake, is a resident of thirty-six years standing and now lives a retired life in Heron Lake. He is of English descent, his grandfather having come from the mother country and settled in New York state. Both his parents, Nelson and Elizabeth (St. John) Wood, were natives of the Empire state. The former died there in 1878; the latter moved to Jackson county a few years after the death of her husband and made her home with her son until her death in 1900.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

In Schoharie county, New York, on the Ifltli day of April, 18GC, occurred the marriage of Jlr. Wood to Lucinda 0. Briggs. She died in 1882. As a result of the marriage five children were born, as follows: Xettie J., Bertha >f.. Frank N., Leroy C. and Hattic G., all of whom are living. Mr. Wood's second marriage occurred at" Stillwater, Minnesota, December 25, 1884, when he wedded Mary E. Lammers, a native of Taylor's Falls, Alinnesota. and a sister of Attorney L. !'. Lammers, of Heron Lake. To Ir. and Mrs. Wood has been born one child, Mablc E.

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

GEORGE H. WOOD (1899), deceased, late proprietor of the AVood hotel at Lakefield, was born in Erie county, New York, May 24, 1852, the son of George W. and ilartha (Stocker) Wood, natives of England and Connecticut, respectively. Three years after his birth the family moved to Illinois, resided there two years, and then returned to the Empire state.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

During his residence in Lakefield Mr. Wood served a part of the time as a member of the village council. He was a member of the Masonic order, of the Elks, Workmen, Modern Woodmen, Modern Brotherhood and Yeomen.

Mr. Wood was married at Grand Meadow, Mower county. Minnesota, February 23. 1882, to Klla Kunderbide, a native of Rochester. Minnesota, and a daughter of John !M. and Amelia SI. Funderhide. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wood,. as follows:.John H.. Martha I. (Mrs. Frank Marrs), of Wolford. North Dakota; Marv E. and Grace A.

.lOllX O. HOFLAND (1872) is one of the prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Delafield township, owning 280 acres of land on sections 14. 12 and 13 and farming a rented tract in addition to his own land. He is quite an extensive feeder of cattle and has a herd of 300 sheep.

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