from McDonough county, Illinois, in 1868. Mrs. Wood was born and reared in Highland county, Ohio, and by her first marriage had one child, Ida B., the wife of Dr. Frank Thompson, of Cambridge, this county.
Mr. Wood's political allegiance has always been given to the republican party. He voted at the first election held in Story county, the polling place being McDaniel's shanty, which stood on the east side of Indian creek. In the fall of 1868 he was elected to represent his district in the legislature and was reelected in 1870. He served on several of the most important committees, discharging his duties with great credit to himself and the constituency to whom he was indebted for his office. He has always taken an active part in local politics, serving for many years in the various township offices. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity through membership in the Nevada Lodge. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wood are members of the church, he of the Baptist and she of the Methodist Episcopal, but they worship in the Evangelical church in Iowa Center.
Owing to his long residence in the county and his great service in the upbuilding of the community as well as his faithful and at all times capable discharge of public duties he is one of the best known and most highly esteemed and respected citizens in this district.
W. J. FREED.
In the eightieth year of his age, W. J. Freed makes his home in Ames and for more than fifty-six years he has been a resident of Story county, so that he is today numbered among its honored pioneers. He was long associated with agricultural interests but some years ago put aside business cares and is now living retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, September 19, 1831. His parents, Samuel and Nancy ( Jones) Freed, were both natives of Pennsylvania, where the mother spent her entire life, while the father always lived in that state with the exception of his last two years, which were passed in Michigan. He was a blacksmith by trade and an excellent mechanic. He served a seven years' apprenticeship and then followed the trade throughout his entire life. His family numbered eleven sons and two daughters, all of whom reached mature years with the exception of three, while four of the sons and one daughter are yet living. After losing his first wife the father married again and had two daughters by that union.
W. J. Freed remained with his parents until eighteen years of age and during his youthful days worked in his father's blacksmith shop and also at farm labor for others. In 1849 he left the Keystone state and went to Porter county, Indiana, where he joined his older brother, Paul, residing there until 1854. He was married in 1852 and then began farming on his own account, but after two years removed to Story county, Iowa, where he has