Ellison G. WOOD, proprietor of the Maple Lawn farm, situated on section 36, Whitefield township, is one of the progressive and representative agriculturists of Marshall county. He was born in Fulton county, Illinois, on the 7th of March, 1850. His father, Thomas WOOD, was a native of Virginia and became one of the pioneer settlers of this state, journeying westward to Illinois with an ox team in 1830. He settled upon a farm in Fulton county, casting in his lot with the early residents of that portion of the state and aiding in reclaiming it from the domain of the red man and converting it into the uses of civilization. He devoted the remainder of his life to farming in that locality and died at the age of forty-eight years. His wife, Rachel FLOWERS WOOD, passed away about twenty-six years ago. In their family were thirteen children, but only four are now living, namely: F. B., a resident farmer of Fulton county, Illinois; Laura V., who is the widow of George W. EMERICK and resides in Henry; Casper, who is living a retired life in Henry; and Ellison G.
In the district schools of the county of his nativity Ellison G. WOOD mastered the common branches of English learning and through the summer months he worked upon the home farm, early becoming thoroughly conversant with the best methods of tilling the soil and raising the crops adapted to the climate. After leaving the old home farm he removed to Chillicothe, Illinois, where he established and conducted a livery business for nine years. On the expiration of that period he removed to a farm in Whitefield township, where he lived for four years, and six years ago he came to his present place on section 36, Whitefield township, known as the Maple Lawn farm. Here he is carefully conducting general agricultural pursuits and he has eighty-four acres of rich and productive land, which is now well cultivated and brings forth good crops. There are many modern equipments and improvements upon the farm and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place is indicative of the careful supervision of the owner.
In 1884 Mr. WOOD was married to Miss Belle MAXWELL, a native of Fulton county, Illinois, born near Canton. Her father was George MAXWELL, a farmer of that locality. Mr. and Mrs. WOOD have become the parents of a son and two daughters: Grace, who is now nineteen years of age, and will graduate in 1907; Clyde, eighteen years of age, who assists in the operation of the home farm; and Hazel, thirteen years of age, now attending school. Mr. WOOD is an advocate of the principles of democracy, but at local elections where no issue is involved he regards only the capability of the candidate for the faithful discharge of the business of town or county and casts an independent ballot. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and is a man well worthy the esteem which is uniformly tendered him. He also merits the success which has come to him, for it is the direct reward of his earnest labor guided by sound judgment and characterized by unswerving business integrity.
Extracted July 2011 by Norma Hass from Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties Illinois, 1907.
| Bureau | Putnam | |
| Stark |
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La Salle |
| Peoria | Woodford |
