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Chase County Kansas Obituaries
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Wood, William Lyon
WILL WOOD IS DEAD
Will Wood died at his home in this city shortly after noon, Monday, July 18th. Mr. Wood has been practically bed-fast for the past nineteen months so his death has been expected.
During the time of his sickness he was practically without suffering and if ever a man had constant and loving care Mr. Wood certainly had it. Mrs. Wood and his daughter, Bessie, were always on hand to attend his wants and do for him all that could be done.
The life of Mr. Wood, like that of Mr. Alford, who passed away only a few days before, was almost coincident with the white mans life in Chase county.
He was born at Mt. Gilead, Ohio, March 10, 1853, when a baby of only about fifteen months his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. N. Wood, brought him to Lawrence, Kansas where they lived for about four years. They moved to Chase county in 1858 and Chase county has been Mr. Woods home ever since.
In boyhood Mr. Woods home was east of this city on the ranch of his father, now the Gregory ranch, which was later sold to Dr. Cartter. Mr. Wood in his early manhood was interested in various lines of business but most of his life he has been a successful farmer and stockman. When purebred cattle were scarce in Kansas Mr. Wood developed a fine herd of purebred Herefords which had a reputation beyond the borders of Kansas and Mr. Wood many times has told the writer that those whitefaces had pulled him out of many a tight place.
Mr. Wood was married on November 3rd, 1874 to Maria Williams, of Providence, Rhode Island, a direct descendent of Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island.
Three children were born to this union, Roy Wood, David W. Wood and Bessie Wood. Roy Wood died in November 1922. Besides Mrs. Wood, Bessie and Dave, Mr. Wood is survived by five grandchildren, David, Ralph, Richard Paul and Marion Wood; a brother, Dave Wood, of Colorado, a sister, Mrs. Florence Abbott, of Idaho, and his niece, Clara Winsor, who has made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Wood for several years.
Although Will Wood was 74 years old, it never occured to anyone up to the time of his long sickness to think of him as an old man. He associated with young men, had progressive ideas and was always as active as those with whom he associated. He was ever cheerful, loved a good story was an optimist and a gloom chaser, and many times we have heard the remark that Bill Wood was the youngest boy in the crowd.
Will Wood went through all of the experiences of the pioneers. He had his lean years and other years when his earnings were large. He was a good business man and accumulated what in Chase county is a large fortune. He owned one of the large ranches of the county, and all the time he always took a very lively interest in all things which concerned the county. His passing leaves a real vacancy.
The funeral services, which will be conducted by Rev. Lynn H. Rupert, of the Methodist church, will be held at the Wood home in this city, Thursday afternoon at 4 oclock. Masonic services will be held at the grave in Prairie Grove cemetery.
Chase County Leader News, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, July 18, 1927.
William Lyon Wood died Monday afternoon at his home in Cottonwood Falls after lingering sickness of 18 months. The funeral services will be held from the home at 4 oclock Thursday afternoon and interment will be in the Prairie Grove cemetery. The Rev. L. H. Rupert will be in charge of the service at the home, and the Masons will have the service at the grave.
Mr. Wood saw more of the early history of Kansas enacted than most other men. He was born at Mount Gilead, Ohio, March 10, 1853, and to this state in 1854 with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Wood, and they settled where Lawrence now is. They came to Chase County in 1859 and the Wood home has been here almost continuously since. The Sam Woods made their home east of Cottonwood Falls at the old Carter place.
He was married to Miss Zelphia Maria Williams, a descendent of Roger Williams, on November 3, 1874.
Mrs. Wood was the teacher of the first school in Strong City. After their marriage, the Woods moved to a farm on Fox Creek north of Strong City where they lived until about 11 years when they retired and moved Cottonwood Falls. Three children, two of whom survive, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wood. They were Miss Bessie Wood and David W. Wood of Cottonwood Falls and Roy Wood who died four years ago in New Mexico.
Others who survive him are his widow; a niece, Miss Clara Winsor, who has made her home with the Woods; a sister, Mrs. Florence W. Abbot of Hagerman, Ida., and a brother, David Wood of Montrose, Colo. Mrs. Abbott will be here for the funeral.
He was a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges.
Chase County Leader News, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, July 20, 1927.
William Lyon Wood was born Mar. 10, 1853, at Mt. Gilead, Ohio, and died July 18, 1927, at his home in Cottonwood Falls. He was the second son of Samuel N. and Margaret Lyon Wood.
November 3, 1874, he was united in marriage to Zilphia Maria Williams, a native of Rhode Island.
To this union were born three children, Roy Samuel, who preceded him in death four years ago, and David William and Bessie Marian of this city. A niece, Clara Winsor, has grown to womanhood as a member of the family.
Mr. Wood is survived by his wife, two children, five grandchildren, his brother, David Wood, of Montrose, Colo., and a sister, Mrs. Florence W. Abbot, of Hagerman, Idaho.
He was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge of Strong City and of Zeredathah Lodge No. A. F. & A. M. of Cottonwood Falls. A 30-year jewel was presented Mr. Wood by the Odd Fellows shortly before he became sick in recognition of his 30 years membership in the lodge.
Born into a family of pioneers, he came to Kansas territory with his parents in June, 1854, at the age of 15 months. The family settled first in eastern Kansas, on the old California road, a few miles from the town site of Lawrence, which was ty, which was organized that year laid out later in the same year.
In 1859 they moved to Chase County. There were here as yet only a few scattering settlers. William L. Wood as a boy and man was identified with the growth and development of this county for the next 68 years.
His boyhood years were the early days of Kansas history. At the age of 12, with his brother David, two years older, he was accustomed to make the long drive with wagons to Leavenworth for supplies. Also they sometimes drove cattle from Cottonwood Falls to Westport Landing, whose straggling streets were later to take form as Kansas City. These cattle were then shipped to St. Louis, at that time the nearest market. At the age of 17 he helped to drive a bunch of cattle up from Texas through the Indian country, where life was never secure.
After his marriage, he located on Fox Creek, where he engaged in farming and cattle-raising, until 11 years ago, when he moved to Cottonwood Falls.
He was possessed of a fearless nature, ready for all vicissitudes, advancing years brought illness, and for more than a year and a half he was confined to his room, obliged to endure the weary round of an invalids life, But there was no word of complaint, no fretting. Instead he studied for cheerful witticisms to entertain those around him.
Conscious almost to the last, he met death with the steady and fearless spirit that had characterized the pioneer days. His only regret seemed to be in leaving those he loved.
One of his chief characteristics was his great devotion to his family. His affection reached out to the little children of the community and they knew him as their friend and comrade.
Chase County Leader News, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, July 20, 1927.
by Lorna Marvin
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