WILLIAM N. WOOD. A prominent farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 17, Sullivan Township, Moultrie County, is a native of Hardin County, Ky., where he was born February 25, 1847. His parents, N.H. and Elizabeth (Lyon) Wood, were natives of Kentucky. They came to Illinois in 1852, bringing this son with them and located at Charlestown, Coles County, where they staid for two years, removing thence to Tuscola, Douglas County, where they remained until they passed from earth, the mother in January, 1855, and the father in January, 1865. The family is of English origin, although the grandparents of our subject were natives of Vermont, and became pioneers of Kentucky. Of their family our subject is the youngest of two sons and four daughters. The household in which Mr. Wood was reared, consisted of the following children: Martha R., who became the wife of W.L. Parker, a jeweler of Kansas City, Mo.; Mary died at the age of twenty-three, in March, 1863, in Tuscola; James Stratton married Susanna Thompson, of Douglas County, and now resides in Carlisle, Ark.; Sarah Jane is unmarried and resides at Lovington; William N., and Elizabeth E., wife of J.M. Durbrow, is living in Champaign County. He of whom we write attended the public schools near his home, and also took instruction at Lee's Academy in Stockton, Ill. He taught school for two years before engaging in farming in Douglas County, and was married March 14, 1875, to Miss Margaret C., daughter of Peter and Mary Evans, who was born in Licking County, Ohio, October 25, 1854. Mrs. Wood is the youngest in a family of eight children, whose parents came to Illinois in 1856, and located in Moultrie County, where they both died, the father October 20, 1873, and the mother October 21, 1876. Of this family only two are living: Mrs. Wood, and Annie who became the wife of Felix Weaver, and resides at Adrian, Mo., her husband being engaged in the stock and commission business at Kansas City. The Evans family are of Welsh and German ancestry. The farm where Mr. Wood now resides became the family home in the fall of 1875. One hundred acres of this land came to his wife by inheritance, and to it he has added by purchase until he has a fine tract of two hundred and thirty-five acres, upon which may be seen a tasteful and attractive home and capacious and commodious farm buildings. Of their six children five are now living, their eldest daughter, Mary, who was born September 1, 1876, being taken away March 1, 1878. Those who are living are: Elizabeth, born October 12, 1877; Norman H., June 11, 1879; Charles, May 5, 1881; Homer Howard, October 13, 1883; Adeline, November 14, 1886. These children are all being thoroughly educated, but remain under the parental roof during their school days. Mr. Wood takes an interest in public affairs, and is a Democrat in politics, while his worthy wife espouses the principles of the Republican party. He has held various offices in his township, and is a member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 273

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