JAMES AVERY WOOD. A pleasant gentleman whom Moultrie County may well be proud to claim as a son and native, is he whose name is at the head of this sketch. Born here March 31, 1848, his parents were Joseph M. and Parletha (Patterson) Wood. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Avery Wood, came to this county before 1840, and entered a large tract of land upon which he made some improvements before his death, which occurred in Sullivan Township, where his body lies interred. The father of our subject was the only boy in the family to attain the age of maturity. He was a farmer and died in Sullivan Township in the fall of 1852, having before his death acquired a handsome property. Our subject's mother, married a second time, a gentleman by the name of Montgomery, and by this union three children were born which were reared with him of whom we write.

The parental family consisted of three children whose names are as follows: Sarah J.; James A., our subject, and John W. Mr. Wood's only sister married William Hodge; she died in Sullivan Township, without issue, James A. was married in 1869 to Mary A. Hoke, a daughter of Samuel and Amanda Hoke. She was a native of the same county and State as her husband being here born April 18, 1849. Her death occurred June 6, 1890, and her loss is deeply felt not only by her immediate family but by many who have been the recipients of her kindly sympathy and aid in times of trouble. She lived in Sullivan Township all her life.

Mr. Wood is a progressive farmer and although he is comparatively a young man, has acquired a good farm which comprises one hundred and sixty acres of as fertile and well-located land as there is in the county. Upon this he has put valuable improvements, and has here a pleasant home. He devotes himself chiefly to general farming, but has some fine stock. The original of our sketch is not content to accumulate alone earthly riches, but realizes that for himself and family there are treasures of learning and wisdom to be had for the getting. His home boasts many books by standard authors and the latest current literature find its way to his reading table. He is a thoughtful reader, forming his ideas from his own deductions, rejecting ready-made opinions upon any line of thought, whether it be political or otherwise.

Five children comprise the family of our subject, whose names are: Zolla Newton, Estella May, Sarah Jane, Samuel A. and Lora Edith. Politically Mr. Wood's sympathies and interests center with the Democratic party and this receives the weight of his vote and influence. Religiously he is a member of the United Brethren Church, and seeks to live in his daily life, the lessons taught by the life of the Divine Man.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 289/290

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