Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-02-13
Mr.. Wood:

One by one the old pioneers are call
ed away to a better home above, and a
link in the chain of history which binds
the dead past to The living present is
forever lost Joseph Wood breathed
his last breath at the old homestead in
Grand Rapids, on Wednesday, the 5th
! day of February, 1890, at 30 O'Clock in
the morning. He died with Chronic
Hepatitis complicated by disease Of the
heart and stomach, after an illness eE-
/ tending over period ofseveral months.
Ii can not be said that he was great
sufferer. When the oil burns low, the
/ lamp goes out and when human strerg,a
fails entirely, vitality and life cease.
From the very nature of the disease Of
which he died, il is evident that the de
cline was gradual aa3 the e2si5 yaee-
j faI.
Joseph Wood was born in Seneca
county, in the state OF New York, on
the 10Th day Of October, 1911, and was
consequently in his 10Th year at the
time of his death. His boYhood days
were spent on the farm, where he rs
sisted his father, who was in limited
circumstances, in the ordinary routine
of farm work. ! few years later, Joseph
Wood was married, and having through
industry and perseverance, treasured
mp small sum Of money, he started
! for the West with his family, and set
/ tied down on a farm in Lake county,
Illinois. In the year 1876, and when he
was about 36 years Of age, imbued with
the true spirit Of the sturdy pioneer
who follows the star of empire in It's
westward fight, not alone for the bona-
/ fit which might accrue to himself, but
that posteritv might be profted, having
heard about the large pine forests in
Wisconsin, he came to Grand Rapids,
where he remained two years, explor-
ing the country, which was then cover
i ed with thick woods, chiefly inhabited
by Indians and wild beasts, and when,
where these two cities now stand, the
giant pine grew on the banks of the
Wisconsin river.
In the year 1913, Mr.. Wood went TO
| Illinois and returned the same year
with his family, making Grand Rapids
his home, where he lived to the time Of
his death.
After a few years residence here, be
was elected member of the legislature
! for Portage county, of which the terri
tory now comprising Wood county at
that time formed a part. At that ses-
sion. Mr.. Wood introduced a bill divid-
ing Portage county, and authorizing the
formation of Greenwood county. The
bill became q law; but the colleagues IN
the legislature hall insisted upon the
name of Wood county, not only as a
mark of esteem to the duly elected
representative, pioneer and most hon
ored citizen. but for brevlty and for the
purpose of conveying an idea of the
character of the county thus newly
formed
Subsequently, Mr. Wood was appoint
ed county Judge by Governor Bashford.
discharging his duties with that pains
taking care and Jealous regard Tor the
: rights of others which characterized
him through life. He also served one
term as mayor of the city in which he
lived, and was appointed postmaster by
President Lincoln, serving one term.
His fellow citizens, also. elected him as
member of the county board, in which
capacity he served a number Of times.
Several years of his life were spent IN
the mercantile and lumber business,
when shaved shingles were accepted
as coin in all transactions Of barter and
trade. Mr. Wood always took an act
I've part and interest IN the advance
ment and welfare of the county and
city in which he lived, and was always
found on the side Of progress and for
the up-building Of our material inter
lests.