Born in Logan County, Ohio, on the 19th of April, 1823, and is a son of John G. and Anna (Kennison) Wood. Mr. Wood was reared at home, obtaining his education in the brief sessions of the district school which was held in a log schoolhouse. On the 17th of October, 1847, Mr. Wood was united in marriage to Miss Melinda Corey and two years later he came west, settling in Corey Grove, Polk county, Iowa, on the 22d of June, 1849. They continued to live there for eighteen months and in the spring of 1851 removed to Story county. When he first settled here all grain had to be hauled to Oskaloosa, that being the nearest milling point, and it required two weeks to make the trip, owing to the distance and the poor roads, which in many instances were little more than wagon tracks across the prairie. Such conditions as these could not exist long, however, in a community where such enterprising men as Mr. Wood resided, and very shortly he and his cousin, Christopher Wood, together with Nathan Webb erected a steam mill, adapted to both grist and saw mill purposes, just north of Iowa Center. This was the first steam mill built in Story county and all of the lumber and machinery had to be hauled in wagons from Keokuk. Mrs. Wood died on the 29th of March, 1862. There were three children by this marriage but Cory died in 1863. Mr. Wood was again married, his second union being with Miss Louisa Ingersoll, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of David Ingersoll. One child was born of this union. Mrs. Wood passed away on the 3d of February, 1870, and on the 8th of the following December Mr. Wood married Mrs. Julia (Addis) Hull, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. They had one daughter. On the 8th of May, 1874, Mrs. Wood died and later Mr. Wood married his fourth and present wife, formerly Mrs. Sarah Davis, a daughter of John M. Griffith, who came to Story county from McDonough county, Illinois, in 1868. Mr. Wood's political allegiance has always been given to the republican party. He voted at the first election held in Story county, the polling place being McDaniel's shanty, which stood on the east side of Indian creek. In the fall of 1868 he was elected to represent his district in the legislature and was reelected in 1870. He served on several of the most important committees, discharging his duties with great credit to himself and the constituency to whom he was indebted for his office. He has always taken an active part in local politics, serving for many years in the various township offices. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity through membership in the Nevada Lodge. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wood are members of the church, he of the Baptist and she of the Methodist Episcopal, but they worship in the Evangelical church in Iowa Center. Owing to his long residence in the county and his great service in the upbuilding of the community as well as his faithful and at all times capable discharge of public duties he is one of the best known and most highly esteemed and respected citizens in this district.
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