Greene county figures as one of the most attractive, progressive and prosperous divisions of the state of Illinois, justly claiming a high order of citizenship and a spirit of enterprise which is certain to conserve consecutive development and marked advancement in the material upbuilding of the section. The county has been and is signally favored in the class of men who have controlled its affairs in official capacity, and in this connection the subject of this review demands representation as one who has served the county faithfully and well in positions of distinct trust and responsibility, and is now serving as county sheriff.

Mr. Wood was born in Woodville township, Greene county, on the 4th of March, 1856, and is a son of Wilson and Lucetta (Mulberry) Wood, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The paternal grandfather, Amon Wood, who was also a native of Kentucky, came to Illinois at an early day, establishing his home in Greene county when pioneer conditions yet existed here. He followed farming in Woodville township and remained a resident of that locality until his death. A public-spirited citizen he took an active interest in educational matters, giving land upon which the first schoolhouse in his section was erected. He also donated the land which was used for cemetery purposes, thus being known as the Mayberry cemetery-the first burial place of the locality. Whatever tended to improve the county and advance its material and moral progress received the endorsement of Amon Wood and in all life's relations he was honorable and upright, thus winning the respect and good will of those with whom he was associated. In his family were thirteen children, including Wilson Wood, who was reared to the occupation of farming and on arriving at years of maturity turned his attention to agricultural pursuits on his own account. He received a large tract of land from his father, which had been included in the original Wood claim, and he carried on general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1861, when he was in his fortieth year.

Paul W. Wood is the second son in the family of four children. He is indebted to the public-school system of the county for the educational privileges which he enjoyed and he remained at home with his mother until her death in the year 1867. He then started out in life on his own account, being employed on farms in the neighborhood. He was at that time about eleven years of age. When fifteen years of age he went to Denver, Colorado, where he was employed in raising vegetables. His brother, Clarence H., who was two years his senior, went to the west to benefit his health, being troubled with asthma and Paul W. Wood accompanied him. The brother has continued a resident of Colorado and is now a prosperous and extensive stockman, owning ten thousand acres of land about fifty miles east of Denver. He is one of the most successful representatives of this business in that state.

Paul W. Wood, however, was not entirely pleased with the west and returned from Denver to Greene county, where at the age of nineteen years he was married on the 10th of October, 1875, to Miss Alice Bradley, a native of this county and a daughter of Absalom Bradley, one of the prominent early settlers. They became the parents of the following named: Absalom, who is filling the position of deputy sheriff of Greene county and resides in Carrollton; Stella, now the wife of J. W. Adams of Carrollton; Paula; Lela; Lucius; Lola; and Paul, Jr.

After his marriage Mr. Wood located on the old homestead farm, which he had previously purchased, and there he engaged in the tilling of the soil for a number of years. He afterward traded the property for a store in Woody, where he conducted business until 1884, when he removed to Roodhouse and there he again engaged in merchandising and also in dairying. He was one of the business men of that place until 1890, when he sold his interests there and came to Carrollton, accepting the position of janitor in the courthouse in this city. He acted in that capacity for five years, at the end of which time he became candidate for sheriff, but he had two opponents in the field and was defeated by nine votes. Resuming the dairy business he continued it for four years and was then again a candidate for sheriff. He was elected in 1902 and is the present incumbent. He also rents a dairy farm adjoining the town, which is now operated by his son. He has made for himself a good record as a reliable business man and in public office he has discharged his duties without fear or favor.