Wood, Israel Lyman, 1857-1929

WOOD, ORMAN, BADER, TITTLE

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

From the Hawarden Independent, March 7, 1929:

ENDS LIFE BY HIS OWN HAND
I. L. Wood Committed Suicide Monday Afternoon
Was Nearly 72 Years of Age and Had Lived in Sioux County for More Than 38 Years

I. L. Wood, for nearly forty years a well known resident of Sioux county, ended his own life at his home in this city about 2:30 Monday afternoon by shooting himself in the head with a revolver. He had been ill with the flu for several days and that afternoon when Mrs. Wood went out to feed the chickens, he locked the doors, then shut himself in a clothes closet where the tragic deed was committed. Mrs. Wood did not hear the discharge of the gun but when she returned to the house discovered that the doors had been locked and at once became alarmed. Assistance of neighbors was immediately obtained and entrance to the house was gained by forcing one of the doors and a search of the house disclosed Mr. Wood’s lifeless body.

All his life Mr. Wood had enjoyed good health but on the few occasions that he felt ill he always expressed the conviction that the immediate illness from which he was suffering would prove fatal. It is believed that this deep seated conviction in regard to his recent illness caused him to commit the deed rather than to face the thought of a prolonged illness.

Funeral services are being held this afternoon at the Methodist church with his pastor, Rev. Robt. H. Forrester, in charge. Interment will be made in Grace Hill cemetery.

Israel Lyman Wood was born at Kirkland, Ill., May 4, 1857, and died at Hawarden March 4, 1929, at the age of 71 years and 10 months. He moved with his family to Floyd county, Iowa, in 1863 where he resided until the fall of 1890, since when he has been a resident of Sioux county. He was united in marriage with Minnie Orman on Jan. 4, 1880, and to this union was born one son, Fred, who departed this life in February, 1916. Fred’s mother died when he was 3 years of age. He married secondly Mary Hannah Bader in Hawarden on Feb. 1, 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Wood lived on their farm in Eagle township for about nine years after their marriage but since 1903 have made their home in Hawarden.

Mr. Wood was baptized into the Baptist faith at Rudd, Iowa, when he was 21 years of age but after moving to Hawarden he united with the Methodist church in which organization he has long taken an active part, for years serving as a church trustee and Sunday School teacher. He was always a faithful church attendant, was humble before God and possessed an abiding faith and a readiness always to bow to the will of the Master. In his daily life he practiced those Christian virtues which were a part of his very being. He was ever solicitous of the welfare of sick or needy friends and neighbors and spared no effort in ministering to their comfort. He was honest and upright in all his dealings with his fellow men, a good citizen in every sense of the word, and the tragic manner of his death came as a distinct shock to his countless friends.

Besides his aged widow, he is survived by four brothers, D. S. Wood of Seattle, Wash., D. A. Wood of Medford, Ore., F. E. Wood of Hawarden and D. J. Wood of Clark, S.D. He also leaves three granddaughters.

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From the Hawarden Independent, March 7, 1929, Ireton and Vicinity news:

Lived Near Ireton Many Years

Ireton’s older residents were shocked when they heard of the death of I. L. Wood of Hawarden by his own hand. He was well known by the older residents of town. A good many years ago he with his father farmed what is now the J. C. Jones farm, 3 ½ miles west of town. Later the Wood family owned and lived in the property now owned by Raymond Steele. Still later the hotel near the depot was run by the Woods. Israel was always considered a man of character and honesty.

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The Card of Thanks published in the March 14 Hawarden Independent is signed by Mrs. Mary Wood, Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Wood, Mrs. Nellie Wood and daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wright, and Mrs. Mae Murley.

FindaGrave.com adds the birth/death dates of his wives and son: Fredricka M. Orman Wood (1860-1884), Mary Hannah Bader Wood (1850-1939), Fred W. Wood (1881-1916).

His death certificate has him born at Rockford, Ill.; parents John Wesley Wood, born in Canada, and Hannah Tittle, born in Pennsylvania (informant Mrs. Nellie Wood); died at 4 p.m. March 4, 1929; “suicide (shot thru brain with 32 cal shot)”