From A Biographical History of Central
Kansas, Vol. I, p. 527
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902
C. A. Wood
Opulence and plenty are evidenced in all portions of central Kansas. The traveler passing through that section of the country sees thriving towns and cities standing in the midst of well tilled fields, constituting farms that are unsurpassed in any section of the country. The land is rich and fertile and produces excellent crops, and at the same time broad meadows afford excellent pasturage for stock, which may be seen in large numbers. Thrift, prosperity and contentment are characteristic of this section of the state. One of the first farms in Rice County is the Wood Galloway farm, of which C A Wood is proprietor. As the name indicates, he is extensively engaged in dealing in Galloway cattle, and since 1881 has been interested in the raising of stock in this part of the country.
Mr. Wood was born in McLean County, Illinois, near Bloomington, on the 2nd of December, 1855, and is a son of George P Wood, whose birth occurred in Pendleton County, Virginia. The grandfather, Joshua Wood, was also a native of the Old Dominion, while the great-grandfather of our subject was born in England. George P Wood spent his childhood and youth in the Old Dominion, and at the age of twenty-three went to Illinois, taking up his abode near Bloomington, in McLean County. He married Huldah Teeter, also a native of Virginia, as was her father, Laban Teeter, who died in the Prairie state. Mr. and Mrs. Wood had nine children, of whom six are yet living, namely: C A, of this review; Mrs. Rebecca Oswalt, Mrs. Etta Frankenburger, Mrs. Charlotte Hyatt, Mrs. Amanda Weidner and William. The other three children died in childhood and the father passed away in 1882, at the age of sixty-seven years. In his political views he was a Democrat and in religious faith was a Protestant. His widow still survives him and now resides in Hutchinson, Kansas, at the age of sixty-two years.
In taking up the personal history of Mr. Wood, of this review, we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Rice County. He was reared upon the homestead farm in Illinois and work occupied no unimportant portion of his time in his childhood. However, he received good educational privileges, attending the public schools of McLean County, and by experience in the practical affairs of life and by reading and observation he has added largely to his knowledge. In 1881 he established his home in Rice County and two years later secured as a companion and helpmate in life’s journey Miss Ellen Tucker, of Sterling, Kansas, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Dickerson) Tucker. Her father came to Rice County in 1878 and is now deceased, but her mother makes her home in Sterling. Mrs. Wood departed this life in 1886, dying in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she was a consistent and loyal member. She left two children, - Hazel and Ernest. In 1889 Mr. Wood was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Fannie L Smith, the widow of Theodore E Smith, who died in California. They had four children, the fourth being Mrs. Nettie Roher, a widow residing in Junction City, Kansas. By the second marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wood two children have been born, - Ramona and C Amby. The mother was born in Litchfield, Illinois, and acquired her education in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. Her father was Captain William White. He was a veteran of the Mexican war, also served in the Indian wars on the plains of the west and was with General Fremont’s army. When the slave question precipitated the country into Civil war he joined the Union army and became captain of a company of Missouri cavalry. He made a brilliant record as a soldier and officer, being fearless and faithful in the discharge of his duties, his own bravery inspiring his men to deeds of valor. He now resides in Halstead, Kansas. He married Miss Elvira High, who was born in Tennessee and died November 25, 1900, at the age of sixty-seven years. She was greatly loved for her genial qualities of heart and mind.
Mr. Wood is the owner of a very valuable farm of four hundred acres, supplied with all modern accessories and equipments. He has splendid buildings, which are kept in good repair, a fine bearing orchard, a grove of forest trees and well cultivated grain fields, but his attention in principally given to the raising of Galloway cattle, of which he has one of the best herds to be found in Central Kansas. He has spent much money in improving his grade of stock, and is now regarded as one of the leading and most successful stock dealers in this portion of the state. Aside from his business affairs he has found time to devote to public interests, and for two terms he served as justice of the peace in a most fair and impartial manner. He has also been clerk of the school board. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Congregational church and are held in warm regard, their circle of friends being almost co-extensive with their circle of acquaintances.