Adams County Wisconsin Genealogy

Transcribed by Robert Schieber
Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 735 - 736

Among the sturdy, energetic and successful farmers of Adams county, who thoroughly understand the vocation which they follow and are consequently enabled to carry on their calling with profit to themselves, is the subject of this sketch, who is actively engaged in agricultural pursuits in Springville Township.

Mr. Wood was born in Ludlowville, Tompkins county, New York, August 4, 1851, a son of Amasa and Isabella (Clark) Wood, Prominent citizens of that county, where the father was engaged in the manufacture of furniture. The maternal grandfather, Daniel Clark, was a quartermaster in the war of 1812, and the great-grandfather, Colonel John Harper, served with distinction as a colonel in the Revolutionary war. The latter was very wealthy.

During his boyhood Ned C. Wood received a good common-school education, and he worked in his father's furniture shop until sixteen years of age, when he came to Wisconsin, locating in Friendship, Adams county, May 4, 1868. After living with his brother-in-law, J. W. Shaw, for a short time, he worked for James Hinman, a well-known farmer, for several years, during which time by industry and economy he managed to save some money. Later he spent several years on the J. P. Shultz farm, and had charge of the Shaw farm for one year. At different times he lived on other farms, and in 1887 purchased the Murray Hay farm at Twin Valley, upon which he has made many improvements and which he now successfully operates.

Mr. Wood was married, September 17, 1879, to Miss Anna E. Cook, who was born near Hornellsville, Steuben county, New York, May 24, 1857, a daughter of Ora and Rosella (Donaldson) Cook. The Cooks were land owners and well-to-do farmers of Steuben county, and people of prominence in the community. Mrs. Wood's father was born in New York, and when four years old Mrs. Wood came to Wisconsin with her mother, locating at Billings Ferry, Adams county. Her mother lived on the Hinman farm for a time, in a house on the west side of the road, and then bought property in Olin. She died May 29, 1869, and the daughter, now Mrs. Wood, then made her home with James Hinman. She attended the country school and the high school of Kilbourn City, and at the age of seventeen began teaching school in Twin Valley. Later she taught in several different counties and successfully followed that pursuit for six years. Our subject and his wife have two children: Glen C., born May 20, 1881, and John F., born May 12, 1891. The former is now in Delton, Sauk county.

Politically Mr. Wood affiliates with the Republican party and he has capably filled several township and school offices. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, the Modern Woodmen of America, and both he and his wife are charter members of the Dells Home Forum, No. 1813, of which he was elected Treasurer, but declined to serve. Mrs. Wood has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since seventeen years of age and has served as superintendent of the Sabbath school, in which position she has done much toward starting the young, in the right course. She ever takes an active and prominent part in all church work, and she and her husband will merit the high regard in which they are uniformly held.