Andrew Wood (1863-1915)

WOOD

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/1/2022 at 15:14:13

Andrew Wood
(May 12, 1863 – 1915)

Among those who have come from foreign lands to become prominent in business
circles is the gentleman whose name introduces this review, the president of the Andrew Wood Company, controlling what is probably the most important enterprise in Calhoun County. His success in all his undertakings has been so marked that his methods are of interest to the commercial world. He has based his business principles and actions upon strict adherence to the rules which
govern industry, economy and strict, unswerving integrity. His enterprise and progressive spirit have made his a typical American in every sense of the word. What he is today he has made himself, for he began in the world with nothing but his own energy and willing hands to aid him. By constant exertion, associated with good judgment, he has raised himself to the prominent position which he now holds, having the friendship of many and the respect of all who know him.
Mr. Wood is a native of Norway, born May 12, 1863, and the years of his boyhood and youth were passed in that country, his education being obtained in its schools. Norway has furnished to the United States many bright, enterprising young men who have left their native land to enter the business circles of this country with its more progressive methods, livelier competition and advancement more quickly secured. Mr. Wood was twenty-two years of age when he crossed the Atlantic and became a resident of Wisconsin, where he secured employment in a creamery, in which line of business he has since continued. He first began operation on his own account in Guthrie Center, Iowa. In 1894 he organized the Andrew Wood Company and extended the field of his operations until he had six creameries in Guthrie County, which have become a part of the Iowa & Nebraska Creamery Company, which has its headquarters at Omaha. In the fall of 1899 Mr. Wood removed to Rockwell City and built up a large business, but suffered considerable loss by fire, which destroyed his plant. He then erected his present plant in 1900-1901. He has all of the most improved apparatus for the renovating of butter and the manufacture of creamery butter. He handles thirty-five thousand pounds of butter per week, including both the renovated and the creamery butter. He is also extensively engaged in handling eggs and poultry and ships about one hundred car loads of eggs per year. The poultry which he handles is all dressed here and shipped to the east, to the amount of twenty car loads annually. Another branch of industry of which Mr. Wood stands at the head is the manufacture of ice cream. The sales of this delicacy amounted to four thousand gallons in 1901 and will be double that for the season of 1902. Fruit and vegetables are also handled by the Andrew Wood Company in large quantities, and employment is furnished throughout the year to thirty-five men, the business having increased in volume and importance until it ranks first among the leading enterprises of this section of the state. His successful outcome is attributable to the keen foresight, capable management and honorable business methods of Mr. Wood, a gentleman of splendid business and executive ability.
In 1899 Andrew Wood was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Johnson, of Guthrie Center, and unto them have been born one child, Millie Myra. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are well known in this city and the esteem in which they are uniformly held is an indication of their sterling worth. In religious faith Mr. Wood is a Methodist. Starting out in life for himself with but limited educational privileges, working in a humble capacity, he became imbued with a laudable
desire to attain something better and he has steadily advanced in those walks of life demanding business ability, enterprise and foresight, and today commands the respect and esteem not only of the community, but also in every section of the state in which he is known. His business record has ever been
honorable. He is most loyal to the ties of friendship and of citizenship and his history well deserves a place in the annals of his adopted state. [Source - Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.271]