Biography - JOSEPH WOOD

Among the dead of Edwards county whose memory men delight to honor, none stood higher in their goodwill than Joseph Wood. He was born in Wymeswold, Leicestershire, England, Nov. 5, 1807. At the age of eleven years, in 1819, he was brought to Edwards county by William Wood, where the family yet live, a few miles southeast of Albion. Here, engaged in farming, he spent his days. On the 2d of May, 1833, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Hill Shepherd, daughter of Thomas Shepherd, who came here as a foreman for George Flower. He had occupied a like position with Mr. Flower in England. To Mr. and Mrs. Wood were born eleven children, six of whom are now living: Thomas, Rebecca Rude, Henry, Martha Tribe, Joseph Albert and Rosamond Owen. Mr. Wood was an affectionate husband, a loving father, and a citizen of whom all were proud. He was ever active in all things calculated to promote his country's welfare, and was recognized as a representative, influential farmer. He died January 6, 1881. His widow, a noble woman, lives on the old homestead, a view of which can be found elsewhere in this work.

Extracted 12 Aug 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 A Combined History of Edwards, Lawrence, and Wabash Counties, Illinois, page 216.