William Wood

As printed in 1902

WILLIAM WOOD.

William Wood has a very wide acquaintance in Springfield, and there are few who know him who do not give him their friendship because he possesses the qualities which - constitute a good man—a pleasing disposition, which wins regard wherever seen. He has been a prominent and faithful official, has been connected in various ways with business affairs here and is now conducting a successful trade as a cigar dealer. He was born at No. 120 East Main street in Springfield, October 11, 1853, and is a son of Robert I. Wood. In the Eastern public school building he acquired his early education and afterward attended the high school where the Wigwam building now stands. Later he continued his studies in the new high school at the corner of High and Factory streets. He put away his books at the age of sixteen and then began clerking in a grocery store for R. L. Holman, where the Leuty building now stands. Subsequently ne began work for Ferrell, Ludlow & Rodgers, who were pioneers in the manufacture

of grain drills. He worked in their painting department until the fire, when he emerged the old Champaign works, leaving that shop in 1875, after which he gave his attention to music for two years. His father, who had been appointed deputy sheriff, was taken ill and William Wood then filled his position as a substitute, serving thus until the death of his father, when he was appointed to fill the vacant position. He transferred the first prisoners from the old to the new jail. As bailiff he opened the first court in the new courthouse. He also captured the first prisoners that escaped from the new jail. Under Sheriff James Foley he served as deputy, and during that time he succeeded in capturing James and Barney Bray, and also C. Seitz, and Carroll, of Dayton, who had robbed the residence of M. D. Levy.

From 1875 until 1877 he was in charge of various orchestra in this part of the state as business manager and leader, and became the organizer of the Big Six band, building playing solo, alto and double bass horn in the orchestra. They furnished the first music for the Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home at Xenia, and played at their reunions for several years. When E. G. Coffin was elected mayor of Springfield William Wood resigned his position as deputy sheriff and was appointed sanitary marshal. ‘Later he resigned that position and was appointed superintendent of the city prison, acting in that capacity through Mr. Coffin's term, and through the administrations of C. S. Constantine and J. P. Goodwin, covering six years. He resigned under Mr. Goodwin and as special police took charge of the Arcade building. During his time as keeper of the city prison he had charge of the city government at night. Upon leaving the service of the city he began work for the United States Express Company as local messenger under R. A. James and on leaving that place, as a deputy he was put in charge of the carriage manufactory of James Driscol Sons Company. Upon their failure in 1890 he had charge of the affairs there under Sheriff William B. Baker until a receiver was appointed and remained at the house until the business was closed out in 1893, when the plant and goods were sold to the P. P. Mast Buggy Company.

At that time Mr. Wood began clerking in the grocery store of his brother, Charles A. Wood, with whom he remained until 1895, when he established a private detective agency, having charge of the street railway business under Nelson, and also of the business of the Big Four Railroad Company as general detective until 1899, when he began dealing in tobacco and cigars as a retail and wholesale merchant at No. 9 South Limestone street. He is a distributor of many high class goods, both to the local and outside trade, and his patronage is extensive.

In 1872, in Dayton, Mr. Wood was married to Miss Mary L. Mills, who was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1855, a daughter-of R. L. and Tirzah J. (Harris) Mills, the former born in New York in 1819, and the latter in Columbus, Ohio, in 1827. They now make their home with their children. At one time the family numbered nine children: John, now decéased; Edward, who is living in Michigan; Nettie, the wife of C. H. Hanawalt, a miller of Continental, Ohio; Mrs. Wood; Arthur, who lives in Covington, Kentucky, and represents the National Cash Register in Ohio and Kentucky; Harry, a holder in the employ of the O. S. Kelly Company of Springfield; Georgia, deceased;

Alice V., of Columbus; and William, who has-also passed away. This family removed to Springfield from Columbus at the solicitation of the Whiteley Manufacturing Company.. The father was a brass worker and remained in the employ of that company for five years, after which he went to Dayton, where he was employed by the Ohio Screw Company. Mrs. Wood was educated in the public schools of the capital city and in the private school conducted by Miss Williams on Spring street, Springfield. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children, but Nellie died in infancy. Charles R., the son, born in 1879, attended the public schools of this city, in which he was graduated, and because of his high standing and of his ability as a vocalist he was given one year’s scholarship in Wittenberg College. He was also instructor of the Wittenberg quartet when only eighteen years of age. He possesses musical talent of a very high order and his ability in this direction ranked him with the leading musicians of the city. After spending one year in Wittenberg he took up the study of law under the direction of ex-Judge William L. Rockel, in whose and one-half years. He then left that place and embarked in business with his father in order that he might have some time.to give to the study of vocal music. For one year he served as director of the choir of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church. While in Mr. Rockel's office he organized the Apollo quartet, which ‘under the direction of the Brockway Lec- ‘ture Bureau, of Pittsburg, filled many engagements in different Young Men’s Christian Associations. In April, 1902, he went to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and entered the employ of the Grand Rapids Malleable Iron Company as buyer and private secretary for the firm, having charge of the private corre- _ sopndence. He was married in this city in November, 1901, to Miss Alice Packham, a daughter of L. C. Packham, traveling salesman for the Frump Manufacturing Company of Springfield. His musical talents at once awakened attention in musical circles of Michigan and he became instructor of the choir of Westminster Presbyterian church, a leading wealthy church of Grand Rapids. The choir is composed of seventy-five voices in addition to the soloists. Mr. Wood is also the first tenor in the famous Apollo quartet £ professional singers and is instructor of the Young Men’s Christian Association quartet. He was a member of Ingomar Lodge, K. P., of Springfield, and resigned his office as organist and prelate in that body on his removal to Michigan.

William Wood, whose name introduces this sketch, is a Republican in politics and has long: taken an active and helpful interest in the work of the party, which he has represented as a delegate in city, county, judicial and state conventions. He also attended the national convention in Chicago when Benjamin Harrison was nominated for the presidency. He belongs to the Knights office he remained for two of Pythias Lodge of this city, and he and his wife hold membership with the Presbyterian church.

As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.