Bio: Wood, Joseph (1809 - 1890)

Contact: Stan.

Surnames: Wood, Kirtland, Balderston, Compton, Bashford, Lincoln, Fontaine

----Source: History of Wood County, Wis. (1923) pages 293-294

Joseph Wood, one of the most notable pioneers of Wood County, and after whom the county is named, was born in Camden, Oneida County, New York, Oct. 16, 1809. His boyhood days were spent on the home farm assisting his father. In early manhood he married Hester Jane Kirtland, who died in 1843, leaving a daughter, Sarah Janet, who later became the wife of William J. Balderston. On Nov. 21, 1844, Mr. Wood married his second wife, Matilda Compton, and it was also in the forties that he started west with his family and settled on a farm in Lake County, Illinois. In 1846, when about 37 years old, having heard of the great pine forests in Wis., and imbued with the pioneer spirit, he came to Grand Rapids in what is now Wood County, but was then a part of Portage, and spent two years in exploring the surrounding country, which was crowded with thick woods inhabited with Indians and wild beasts. In 1848 he returned to Illinois and in the same year came back with his family, choosing Grand Rapids, then a very small backwoods settlement, as his place of residence.. That he was a man of forceful character may be inferred from the fact that a few years later he was elected to the legislature from Portage County, and in that session (1856) he introduced a bill dividing Portage County and authorizing the formation of Greenwood County. The bill became a law, but his colleagues insisted that the new county be named Wood, not only on account of their personal esteem for him, but because the name was short and, moreover, indicated the general character of this region. Joseph Wood was appointed the first county judge of Wood County by Governor Bashford. He also served one term as mayor of the city in which he lived, and one term as postmaster, being appointed to the latter office by President Lincoln. He was also elected-a member of the county board, in which capacity he served a number of terms. Several years of his life were spent in mercantile and lumber business when shaved shingles were accepted in lieu of coin in all transactions of barter and trade. He built and operated the old Magnolia Hotel, which stood on the corner of Washington Avenue and Ninth Street, where A. L. Fontaine's residence now stands. He helped to organize the first school in Grand Rapids and was a member of the first school board. In short, he took an active interest, and in most cases a personal part, in all matters pertaining to the advancement and welfare of the county and was always found on the side of progress. His second wife, Mrs. Matilda Wood, passed away Jan. 17, 1887, after they had lived 42 years together. She had borne him five sons: Elmer and Daniel Webster, both of whom died in infancy; Franklin J., now one of the leading bankers and business men of Wood County; George N., in the insurance business, residing in Wis. Rapids; and Walter L. Joseph Wood lived to the age of 82 years, three months and 20 days, passing away Feb. 5, 1890. He left behind a personal record of honorable achievement known to every intelligent citizen of the county, and his name will go down in pioneer annals as one of the hardy, self-reliant and persevering builders, not merely of Wood County, but through it of the great Northwest.