New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-10-02
OBITUARY..
WILLIAM WOOD.

william Wood one OF the Oldest and be3t-known
residents OF this city died yesterday at his house.
No. West Eighteenth-st.. in the eighty-sxtn year
OF his age HIS name had been more closely identi-
fed perhaps, with the pubcschool Interests OF THIS
city than that OF any living man. For long period
ne Of the most active members OF the
Board Of Education and he devoted a large share
OF his time and energies TO the development OF the
public-schoo, system and close supervision OF Its
arrangement. He became chairman OF the commit
tee on the Normal College institution which
profted By his energy and OF which he was one OF
the founders
Mr. Wood was born at Glasgow, Scotland in 1905
His father was John Wood, a banker, Of the hrm
of Dennistoun & Wood which had banks in Glas-
cow Liverpool. London and later In Ncw-York. Mr..
Wood to this city in 1923 to start a branch OF
the Glasgow house The firm name then was Den
nil.oun. McGregOr & CO.. but Mr. McGrsgor soon
withdrew Mr. Wood taking his pace. Mr.. Woods
parents intended him for the bar. and gave him an
education at the University Of Glasgow, the Uni
versty Of st. Andrews and other seats Of learning
He had been In NewYork less than two years when
he Eel. In love and married Harriet a. Kane He
returned to Glasgow. where he remained for sew
eral years before becoming a New-forker Tor
life. His banking business prospered and he
amassed a fortune. Before the war there
was hardly a banking house better known in
this city than Mr.. Woods. At one time he
took active part in all important puDhc
movements and was interested In politics. although
not an active politician In 1869 he retired from Dus-
ness He was appointed in that year one Of the
Commissioners OF the Board OF Education by Mayor
Hail and The passage Of the new city charter
the same year the Mayor appointed him commits
sioner OF the Dock Department Before ana curing
the Mr.. Wood was an ardent ADoItonist. ana
heped many refugee slaves on their way through
New-York to Canada. He was pronounce , rrre-
Trader and when discussion rife In Great britain
AGAINST the corn laws Mir Wood went 20 England
and made many speeches. For this he was MADE
vIce-presdent Of the Llverpoo. Anil-MonoPoy IS IS
ISOLATION. He became an e.der in the CoAeglate re
formed Church Of this city in 1860.
4 number of years H. obtained possession OF
land The place IS handsome one facing the North
Sea. IL built about 30) years ago, ana mas Deen
in possession of the Wood family ever since MI;
the carly Mayors Of this city He was a.so the
young companion OF BARLEY the officer in command
OF the English notil.a Lake Erie when 'omnO-
British. He also knew DAME. OConneli the lrisn
agtator. and spoke from the same platform with
ing Highland reglment WIN banners any ~
marching home through Elf shire altsr bne "a
been told by his grandmother who in her turn had
been told by her grandmother. or grand-aunt, that
girl the guns NJ the battle OF Marston Moor. That
battle fought In 1911, exactly ~ years ago ana
only one life interviewed between Mr. Wood and his
ancestor who could remember the conflict. Mir.
Wood told this story to the writer at the last an
nual dinner Of the 81. Andrews Society. held on
december / 1893. He then the oldest member
Of the society having joined It sixty years before,
I'm 1888 when he was the youngest man IN the o.
Mr. Wool's death was due principally TO oil age.
Hil funeral will take place next THURSDAY morning
m 10 o'clock az the Collegiate Reformed Church: AZ
Ffth-ave. ami Twenty nnth-st. rive sons ana i2Ir
second AMI thiri wives being Miss Nirc1rS Law
and Miss Helen Mason.