Baxter Wood

As printed in 1881

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 History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.