The Wood Families of Summit County, Ohio

F. WOOD, merchant, Peninsula. Prominent among the business interests of Peninsula is the general mercantile store of F. Wood. Mr. Wood was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, in 1828. His parents were Nesbitt and Eliza (Morton) Wood. His father resigned a commission in the English army, and, with his family, emigrated to America in 1835, locating in Michigan. In 1838, they removed to Boston Township, where they resided for the remainder of their lives. His father's death occurred in 1863, and his mother's in 1868. The subject of this sketch began his mercantile career at the age of 18, when he entered the store of Arthur Layton, at Boston Village, with whom he continued about three years, and, in the same store, with his successor, J. D. Edson, for over four years. In 1853, he came to Peninsula, and started in business for himself, purchasing the stock of Charles Curtis. In 1863, he removed to his present location, where he has since been successfully engaged in trade, with a general stock of dry goods, groceries, etc., and also a line of drugs and medicines. He has also devoted considerable attention to other business interests and enterprises, for many years being the principal owner of the stone quarry, south of the village; and, in 1872, when it became a stock concern, he retained an interest until 1879, when he disposed of his stock to F. Schumacher, of Akron. He held the office of Deputy Postmaster, and that of Postmaster for twenty--one years. He has also served in various township offices of trust. He is a member of Richfield Lodge, Meridian Sun, No. 266, A., F. & A. M. Mr. Wood was married, Feb. 16, 1854, to Miss Charlotte M. Barnhart, who was born in Peninsula, June 19, 1836, and is the daughter of Jacob Barnhart and Rhoda (Bronson) Barnhart. Jacob Barnhart was born in New York, in 1804, and emigrated to Cleveland in 1832, and from there to Peninsula, in the following year, when he became engaged in the boat-building business, in which he was a pioneer in that section. He was a respected and enterprising citizen during

V his entire life, taking a prominent position and active interest in the enrollment of volunteers during our late war; his patriotism being so sincere that, although nearly 60 years of age, he enlisted in the 2d O. V. C., but was not allowed to serve. He died Jan. 26, 1874. His wife, Rhoda Bronson, was born in Middlebury, Conn., Oct. 9, 1800. She was a daughter of Hermon and Molly (Hickox) Bronson, a more extended sketch of whom is given elsewhere. She w'as married, in March, 1816, to Willis Payne, who died in Akron in 1828, leaving two sons — H. B. Payne, lawyer at Richmond, Ind., and William H., a boat-builder at Akron. She was married to Jacob Barnhart, in March, 1833, and survived him nearly six years. She died in September, 1879, Charlotte M. being the only child. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have had four children: Annie C., who died at the age of 20 months; Stella A., the wife of H. L. Cross, of Cleveland, who have a son Charles Wood; Minnie E., who died in infancy, and Fred C. They have an adopted daughter, Miss Julia E. Mr. and Mrs. Wood, together with their family, are members of the Episcopal Church, in which they have been prominently identified for many years. Mr. Wood is the superintendent of the Sabbath school, and his wife, for many years, was the organist and leader of the choir.

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

FREDERICK C. WOOD, a well known business citizen of Akron, treasurer of the Akron Auto Garage, was born in 1873, at Peninsula, Boston Township, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of Frederick Wood.

The father of Mr. Wood was born in Ireland, in 1828, and emigrated to America and settled in Boston Township, in 1835. For fifty years he was engaged in business at Peninsula, being a pioneer merchant of the place, and was prominent in the town's development. At the age of.seventy-nine years he still survives, enjoying life, and resides with his son at Akron.

Frederick C. Wood entered his father's store as a clerk in early youth, and for twelve years was a partner with his father, the firm style being F. Wood & Son. In the fall of 1899 he came to Akron and engaged in a clothing business for six years, and in 1905 he became associated with the Youngstown

Telegrwta, but subsequently sold his interest and returned to Akron. Since then he has been identified with automobile interests. He bought a partnership in an established automobile concern at Akron and the business was incorporated as the Akron Auto Garage Company, with a capital stock of $25,000. The president and manager of the company is Andrew Auble, and Frederick C. Wood is secretary and treasurer. Scarcely any business is showing a more healthy growth than is the automobile.

In 1896 Mr. Wood was married to Clara Brown, of Sharon Center, Medina County, and they have two children: Charlotte Josephine, and Frederick Southmayd. The name of Southmayd came from the youth's seventh great-grandfather, Rev. John Southmayd, who was presented with a. home by the citizens of Waterbury, Connecticut, in recognition of his.services in the Pequot War.

Mr. Wood has been active in politics since early manhood and he was elected treasurer of Boston Township when twenty-one years of age, serving two terms. For four years he was postmaster at Peninsula, serving under the late President McKinley, and being reappointed by President Roosevelt, resigning the office when he came to Akron. He is still interested in public affairs, but holds no office, devoting the main part of his time to business. At present, with Mr. Auble, he is erecting a fine brick and cement building, 110 feet by 70 feet, on Buchtel Avenue, to be utilized as a garage.

Fraternally, Mr. Wood belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Modern Woodmen, and is a council member of the Knights of Pythias. For a number of years he has been connected with the Episcopal Church of Our Savior, and is serving on the board of vestrymen. Recently, with Rev. Atwater and Frederick Work, he planned and carried out a most delightful trip. The gentlemen took fifty Sunday school pupils whom they had formed into a quasi-military organization, to Washington city, where the party called on President Roosevelt, whose pleasure at seeing the lads in Rough Rider costumes, probably equaled their pride in the same. The whole trip will long be remembered by all who took part in it.

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

F. WOOD, merchant, Peninsula. Prominent among the business interests of Peninsula is the general mercantile store of F. Wood. Mr. Wood was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, in 1828. His parents were Nesbitt and Eliza (Morton) Wood. His father resigned a commission in the English army, and, with his family, emigrated to America in 1835, locating in Michigan. In 1838, they removed to Boston Township, where they resided for the remainder of their lives. His father's death occurred in 1863, and his mother's in 1868. The subject of this sketch began his mercantile career at the age of 18, when he entered the store of Arthur Layton, at Boston Village, with whom he continued about three years, and, in the same store, with his successor, J. D. Edson, for over four years. In 1853, he came to Peninsula, and started in business for himself, purchasing the stock of Charles Curtis. In 1863, he removed to his present location, where he has since been successfully engaged in trade, with a general stock of dry goods, groceries, etc., and also a line of drugs and medicines. He has also devoted considerable attention to other business interests and enterprises, for many years being the principal owner of the stone quarry, south of the village; and, in 1872, when it became a stock concern, he retained an interest until 1879, when he disposed of his stock to F. Schumacher, of Akron. He held the office of Deputy Postmaster, and that of Postmaster for twenty--one years. He has also served in various township offices of trust. He is a member of Richfield Lodge, Meridian Sun, No. 266, A., F. & A. M. Mr. Wood was married, Feb. 16, 1854, to Miss Charlotte M. Barnhart, who was born in Peninsula, June 19, 1836, and is the daughter of Jacob Barnhart and Rhoda (Bronson) Barnhart. Jacob Barnhart was born in New York, in 1804, and emigrated to Cleveland in 1832, and from there to Peninsula, in the following year, when he became engaged in the boat-building business, in which he was a pioneer in that section. He was a respected and enterprising citizen during

V his entire life, taking a prominent position and active interest in the enrollment of volunteers during our late war; his patriotism being so sincere that, although nearly 60 years of age, he enlisted in the 2d O. V. C., but was not allowed to serve. He died Jan. 26, 1874. His wife, Rhoda Bronson, was born in Middlebury, Conn., Oct. 9, 1800. She was a daughter of Hermon and Molly (Hickox) Bronson, a more extended sketch of whom is given elsewhere. She w'as married, in March, 1816, to Willis Payne, who died in Akron in 1828, leaving two sons — H. B. Payne, lawyer at Richmond, Ind., and William H., a boat-builder at Akron. She was married to Jacob Barnhart, in March, 1833, and survived him nearly six years. She died in September, 1879, Charlotte M. being the only child. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have had four children: Annie C., who died at the age of 20 months; Stella A., the wife of H. L. Cross, of Cleveland, who have a son Charles Wood; Minnie E., who died in infancy, and Fred C. They have an adopted daughter, Miss Julia E. Mr. and Mrs. Wood, together with their family, are members of the Episcopal Church, in which they have been prominently identified for many years. Mr. Wood is the superintendent of the Sabbath school, and his wife, for many years, was the organist and leader of the choir.

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

FREDERICK C. WOOD, a well known business citizen of Akron, treasurer of the Akron Auto Garage, was born in 1873, at Peninsula, Boston Township, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of Frederick Wood.

The father of Mr. Wood was born in Ireland, in 1828, and emigrated to America and settled in Boston Township, in 1835. For fifty years he was engaged in business at Peninsula, being a pioneer merchant of the place, and was prominent in the town's development. At the age of.seventy-nine years he still survives, enjoying life, and resides with his son at Akron.

Frederick C. Wood entered his father's store as a clerk in early youth, and for twelve years was a partner with his father, the firm style being F. Wood & Son. In the fall of 1899 he came to Akron and engaged in a clothing business for six years, and in 1905 he became associated with the Youngstown

Telegrwta, but subsequently sold his interest and returned to Akron. Since then he has been identified with automobile interests. He bought a partnership in an established automobile concern at Akron and the business was incorporated as the Akron Auto Garage Company, with a capital stock of $25,000. The president and manager of the company is Andrew Auble, and Frederick C. Wood is secretary and treasurer. Scarcely any business is showing a more healthy growth than is the automobile.

In 1896 Mr. Wood was married to Clara Brown, of Sharon Center, Medina County, and they have two children: Charlotte Josephine, and Frederick Southmayd. The name of Southmayd came from the youth's seventh great-grandfather, Rev. John Southmayd, who was presented with a. home by the citizens of Waterbury, Connecticut, in recognition of his.services in the Pequot War.

Mr. Wood has been active in politics since early manhood and he was elected treasurer of Boston Township when twenty-one years of age, serving two terms. For four years he was postmaster at Peninsula, serving under the late President McKinley, and being reappointed by President Roosevelt, resigning the office when he came to Akron. He is still interested in public affairs, but holds no office, devoting the main part of his time to business. At present, with Mr. Auble, he is erecting a fine brick and cement building, 110 feet by 70 feet, on Buchtel Avenue, to be utilized as a garage.

Fraternally, Mr. Wood belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Modern Woodmen, and is a council member of the Knights of Pythias. For a number of years he has been connected with the Episcopal Church of Our Savior, and is serving on the board of vestrymen. Recently, with Rev. Atwater and Frederick Work, he planned and carried out a most delightful trip. The gentlemen took fifty Sunday school pupils whom they had formed into a quasi-military organization, to Washington city, where the party called on President Roosevelt, whose pleasure at seeing the lads in Rough Rider costumes, probably equaled their pride in the same. The whole trip will long be remembered by all who took part in it.

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

WILLIAM N. WOOD, general farmer in Boston Township, residing on a valuable estate of 332 acres, 150 of which are under cultivation, was born in Boston Township, Summit County, Ohio, July 11,' 1862, and is the only son of Thomas and Julia (Wetmore) Wood.

Thomas Wood, than whom there was no more highly considered citizen of Boston Township, at the time of his death, in 1900, aged seventy-two years, was born in Ireland, and was seven years of age when his parents brought him to America. The family lived at Sheboygan, Michigan, until he was about twelve years of age, when they came to Boston Township, where the grandfather of William N. Wood worked in a mill. Thomas Wood learned to build canal boats and engaged in the business on his own account for some years, from which he embarked in a lumber business, which he continued for forty years. He possessed great business enterprise, operated two or three sawmills, bought standing timber and cut it, and acquired timber land both in Boston and Northampton Townships, at one time owning for one mile along the Cuyahoga River. He was held in the highest esteem by his fellow citizens. He was a member of Meridian Sun Lodge, No. 266, F. & A. M., of Richfield. He married Julia Wetmore, who resides at Peninsula since her widowhood. She was born at Silver Lake, in Stow Township, Simimit County, Ohio, where her father, Hon. William Wetmore, was one of the early settlers.

William N. Wood attended school at Peninsula until he was eleven years of age. He was a boy of unusual brightness of mind, and, inspired with a desire to travel, he left home without asking his parents' consent, rightly judging that it would be withheld, and made his way to Chicago. His smiling face and engaging personality enabled him, with no previous experience of city life, to secure a position as bellboy in the Palmer House. He was so obliging and attentive to guests of that somewhat famous hostelry, that his tips from the capitalists who frequently make it their home, were so generous during his stay of four months, that he had enough money with which to buy a horse, on which he started back home, which he reached in safety, having paused at several points on the way to trade horses with other travelers. After this little excursion into the world, the youth quietly attended school until he was fifteen years of age and then worked several years for his father, driving a team, having always been fond of horses. He purchased a team of his own and continued to use it in his father's lumber business, until 1897, when he turned his attention more especially to speeding horses. For.some years he owned and took an interest in racing many fast horses in different classes, traveling over considerable territory and becoming well known in the sporting world. In the meanwhile, the home farm was under rental, with the exception of several years when Mr. Wood conducted operations on it, but for the past five years it has been under his careful and successful supervision. He keeps about forty head of cattle, selling-his milk to the Peninsula Creamery, and raises hay, corn, oats and wheat. He feeds all but his wheat.

Mr. Wood married Olive Lee, who is a daughter of Edward Lee, of Richfield Township. They have one son, Thomas H. Mrs. Wood is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Peninsula.

Mr. Wood votes with the Republican party in National affairs, but independently in local matters. Mr. AVood's genial personality, open hospitality and his many sterling qualities of mind and heart, have won him a wide circle of warm friends wherever he has been.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

BAXTER WOOD, retired merchant. West Richfield; is an old and respected citizen, and at one time a prominent merchant. He was born in Wooster Co., Mass., Jan. 2, 1797. His father, Williard Wood, was a farmer, and upon the farm the first twenty years of his life was passed. He received a good education, and put it to a practical use by teaching school for fourteen winters. He was engaged in the hotel business in Massachusetts for six years, and in Connecticut for three years. He then removed to Indiana, where he remained only one year, engaged in the same business. In 1838, he removed to Richfield and first engaged in the hotel business, there continuing six years. He then entered the mercantile business in West Richfield, under the firm name of B. Wood & Son, and for twenty-five years was in active trade. He is now retired from business, and living upon a small farm located between the two Centers. He was married, while living in Massachusetts, Nov. 19, 1822, to Miss Eliza Fairbanks. She was born in Hampden Co., Mass., Sept. 24, 1797. They have three children who are a pride and comfort to them — Mrs. Pauline Sheppard, the wife of 0. C. Sheppard, of Medina; Baxter H., one of Medina's most prominent business men, and Charles W., one of the old and prominent business men of West Richfield. He was born in Thompson, Conn., in 1835. He commenced his business life at the age of 18, as assistant in his father's store, and has been the mercantile trade ever since. He was for a number of years in partnership with his father, but for the past eight 3-ears has been alone. His stock consists of a general line of merchandise, in which he does a leading business. He was married in November, 1862, to Miss Elizabeth Okes. She was born in Cuyahoga Co., in 1838. They have six children: Frank O., Stella, Weldon C., Edith C., Harry and Arthur. He is Secretary and Treasurer of the Ohio Telegraph Co., a short line between Peninsula and West Richfield, and a member of Meridian Sun Lodge, No. 266, A., F. & A. M.

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

DEXTER WOOD (deceased); was a native of Massachusetts, where he was born in

1801. He was one of the early settlers of Richfield Township, where he located in 1834, in the southern portion of the township, and where he remained a respected citizen for the remainder of his life. He died in March, 1846. His wife is still living upon the old homestead; her maiden name was Mar Keid; she was born in New York State, in 1815; her father, Elias Reid, was an early settler of Richfield, coming there about 1833. He died in the township in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Wood were married Nov. 26, 1835. Three children are now living; — Willard, born in

November, 1836. He was married in 1861, to Miss Lora Hurlbut; she died June 21, 1878. Willard now resides upon the old homestead. Dexter, born in November, 1838. He is living on the farm; he was married in 1861, to Miss Sarah J. Moore. They have five children — Adelpha, Belle, Rosa, Emma and Edward; and Mary E., born Sept. 24, 1843. The homestead consists of 94 acres, the most of which is well improved. It is conveniently located about two and one-half miles from the Center. The family are intelligent and enterprising, and are respected citizens of the township.

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

ALFRED WOOD, a leading citizen of Northfield Township, Summit County, Ohio, who owns a farm of fifty-six acres, about thirty of which are under cultivation, was born October 23, 1842, at Independence, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and is a son of Benjamin and Charlotte (Belden) Wood.

Benjamin Wood Avas born in 1816 on the Strand, London, England, where he attended boarding school until fourteen years of age, and at the age of twenty-one years came to America. He had learned the tailor's trade in his native land, but did not follow it to any extent, after a short residence at Cleveland settling on a farm in Independence. From 1862 until 1900 he was connected with the firm of Benjamin Stair and Son, at Cleveland, and became a man of some means, making three trips to his native country. Mr. Wood was possessed of scholarly attainments, and was elected to a number of township offices, including that of trustee. His death occurred in August., 1905. Mr. Wood was married to Charlotte Belden, -who-se ancestry dates Vjack to colonial days, and they had three children: Norman, who died November 18, 1907; Alfred, subject of this sketch, and Martha, who is the widow of John R. Richardson, of Cleveland. Benjamin Wood was reared in the faith of the Episcopal Church, Init there being no churches in Independence when he located there, he became a Presbyterian, and paid nearly half of the co.st of erecting there the church of that denomination.

Alfred Wood received a common school education in Independence, and in youth secured employment with the firm of Benjamin Stair & Son, at Cleveland, for whom he worked for a year and a half. At the end of this time he rented a farm at St. Mary's, Canada, where he remained for five years, and then located at Akron, being employed in the Buckeye shops for sixteen years. Subsequently he became foreman of the Lamson and Session shops at Cleveland, but in 1893 purchased the Charles Vders farm, a tract of fifty-six acres in lot 65, about thirty acres of which Mr. Wood ha?

under cultivation. He keeps about eight head of cattle, is largely interested in bee culture, and raises blooded. horses. His principal crops are oats, wheat, hay and corn, and he has a fine orchard of apple, each, pear and plum trees.

Mr. Wood has given much attention to horticulture and was one of the charter members of the Summit County Horticultural Society. He has been very active in scientific work, being associated with Prof. Claypole of Buchtel College, his studies embracing all the natural sciences. On one occasion he read a paper before the Scientific Society of Buchtel College, setting forth the theory that the Cuyahoga River has always flowed north as at present, the accepted theory at that time (Newberry's), being that in prehistoric times the river flowed south. Mr. Wood's paper aroused wide discussion, but his theory was finally accepted, and was incorporated in the reports of the State Department of Geology. Fraternally, Mr. Wood is connected with Hesperion Lodge No. 281, Knights of Pythias, of Cleveland, and he was a charter member of Etolia Lodge No. 24, Knights of Pythias, of Akron, of which he was secretary and treasurer.

Mr. AVood was married to Sarah J. Johns, who is the daughter of James Johns, and to this union there were born six children: Mary, who is the wife of F. H. Fanning, of Cleveland: Charlotte, who is a well-known artist of Cleveland; Norman B., who lives at Pititsburg, Pennsylvania; Robert J., William H. and Amelia B., who reside in Cleveland. The family is connected with the Episcopal Church.

The Johns family, which is an old one of Hatherly, Devonshire, England, was founded in America by the parents of Mrs. Wood, who came to Canada when she was a child of three years, in 1843. James Johns, Mrs. Wood's father, was a machinist by trade, an occupation which he followed at Darlington, Ontario, until 1860, and then for a few years at Cleveland, Ohio. Later he removed to Independence, where he carried on farming for two years, but he subsequently sold his farm and returned to his trade at Cleveland. Thence he went to Stratford, Ontario, in which place he established a machine shop. His death occurred in 1893, when he was in his eighty-ninth year; his wife, Mary (Bourne) James, died in 1891, when eighty-two years old. Mrs. Wood was the seventh of a family of sixteen children.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.