For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 454
ADDISON JAMES WOOD....Addison James Wood, who owns a well improved farm in Sweetland township and is one of the highly esteemed citizens of Muscatine county, was born in the township where he now lives, February 21, 1855. He comes of Virginia ancestry, his father, Charles P. Wood, having been born in Loudoun county, Virginia, November 29, 1822. The mother was Sarah H. Carr, who was born August 5, 1826, in Jefferson county, Ohio, a daughter of James and Mary Carr. His paternal grandfather, Jesse Wood, spent most of his life in Virginia. He married Martha Devine, by whom he had four children, namely : Charles P., the father of our subject ; Samuel B.; William ; and Mary. After the death of Jesse Wood, his widow married James Blackwood, and to them were also born four children : James, George, Rebecca, and Sarah.At five years of age Charles P. Wood was taken to Ohio by his mother and continued there for seven years, after which he made his home with an uncle in Michigan. After his marriage at twenty-four years of age he engaged in farming and in 1853 came overland by wagon from Lenawee county, Michigam to Iowa and for two years lived upon a rented farm in Sweetland township, Muscatine county. He was an industrious man and acquired sufficient capital with which to purchase one hundred acres of land on section 7 of the same township, where he lived until his death, which occurred on the 14th of April, 1904. The mother of our subject passed away February 28, 1875. The father was a resident of Muscatine county for more than fifty years and performed his full share toward the betterment of his adopted county and state. He was an earnest supporter of the republican party and held a number of township offices, being trustee and for many years a member of the school board. He was prosperous in his business affairs and highly respected by all who knew him. There were seven children in his family : Martha and Mary, who died in infancy ; Addison James, our subject ; William Griffith, who married Susan Dietrick and became the father of three children, Charles Levi, Agnes and Herbert ; Walter H., deceased ; Jesse C., a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work ; and Ids S., who married Allison Phelps, of Knoxville, Iowa, and is the mother of four children, Bernice, Harry, Claude and Mark.
The subject of this review attended district school and later carried his studies further in the Muscatine high school and at Penn College. After leaving college he rented a farm in Sweetland township, continuing upon that place for five years. At the age of 26, in 1881, he was united inmarriage to Mary C. Hoopes, a daughter of Lindley and Mary ( Addleman ) Hoopes and granddaughter of John and Hannah ( Jones ) Hoopes. Lindley Hoopes, the father, was born in Chester county Pennsylvania, September 5, 1815. He came to Muscatine county in 1854 and for several years followed the carpenter's trade in Muscatine. Subsequently he moved to a farm of one hundred and thirty acres which he purchased in Lake township, Muscatine county, and here the wife of our subject grew to womanhood.
Mr. Wood has been farming on his own account for many years and by the application of sound judgment has practically acquired financial independence, being one of the most prosperous farmers in his township. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wood : Lillian Gerturde, who was born January 8, 1883, and died in infancy ; Ralph Waldo, who was born September 17, 1886, and died from fever in 1890. ; and Lloyd Alden , who was born May 24, 1891, and departed this life at the age of eighteen years, six months and twenty-eight days, December 22, 1909.
Mr. and Mrs. Wood have borne up bravely under the heavy afflictions caused by the loss of their children. They mourn, however, not as those who have no hope, being sustained by a trust in a Divine Providence that directs all things aright. Mr. Wood is steward and trustee of the Methodist church at Sweetland Centre and one of its prominent supporters. He has served most successfully as school director and held the office of secretary of the school board for twenty-five years. In 1901 he was elected treasurer of the Farmers Mutual Assessment Fire & Lighting Association of Muscatine county and still retains the office. He is known as a man who aims to perform his duty conscientiously to those with whom he is associated and to the entire community. Fraternally he is identified with Muscatine Camp, No. 106, M. W. A.
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