Samuel Wood, the father of George, was born in Madison County, Ky., Oct. 13, 1813, and came to Morgan County with his father, Richard Wood, who was a native of Virginia. These people were truly pioneers of Morgan County. Samuel Wood commenced life without any money, but succeeded in building up a comfortable fortune. He at one time held the office of Judge and was commonly addressed as such. He married Mrs. Martha Smith, widow of Harvey Smith, and to this union were born eight children. Their record is as follows: Elizabeth was born Sept. 24, 1834, and died July 27, 1844; David was born April 4, 1838; Milton was born Sept. 4, 1839; Iven was born Feb. 24, 1841. Julia A. was born June 17, 1847; Richard was born Oct. 7, 1851; James was born March 16, 1833; while the record of George appears at the beginning of this sketch.
David married Eliza Godley. They are living on a farm in Morgan County, and have six children four of whom are living: Martha, Samuel, Ballard and Richard. Lizzie and Iven are dead. Lizzie married Andrew Stice. She died leaving two children, Bertha and Albert. Ballard married Ruth Cole and they reside in Morgan County. Samuel was married to Anna Hubbs. She died leaving one child. When Samuel married the second time it was to Mary Duncan. Iven, brother of the subject of this sketch married Mary Calm. They had eight children, six of whom are living: Charles, Minnie, Samuel, Arthur, Lizzie and Homer. Julia married James B. Beekman, a farmer of Morgan County, and they have one child, Mary. Richard married Martha Purvis, of Macoupin County. He is farming in this county, and they have had five children, three of whom are living: Adelia, Grace and Myrtle. Nellie and an infant are deceased. James married Mary Eldred of Greene County, Ill. They are now living in Morgan County, and engaged in farming.
George Wood married Emily Cox of Morgan County. She was born Sept. 10, 1847, and was born and reared in this county. Her parents were natives of Kentucky. In this family are six children: Mary, Julia, Hettie, John W., Hubert and Emily, the wife of the subject of this sketch. Mary married Jerry Cox, who is dead; Julia married Ansel Buchanan, a farmer of Morgan County; Hettie married John Johnson. They have four children: Edith, Homer, Francis, and Howard. John W. married May Ray. They are the parents of three children: Freddie, Ray and an unnamed babe. Hubert married Winnie Schaun, of Morgan County.
George Wood was married Jan 14, 1867, and is the father of four children: Walter W., James B., Laura B., and Milton M. Walter W. married Sarah Wilson, and is engaged in farming in this county. The balance of the children are at home with their parents.
The subject of this sketch commenced life on a farm of 200 acres of well-improved land, and as the years have gone by, he has been constantly adding to the original tract until he now owns a farm of the magnificent proportions of 1,000 acres. He does a general farming business and takes pride in breeding horses, among which are the Hamiltonian, Grade Norman and Black Hawk breeds. He also raises stock for the market. It is rare that he has less than fifty horses, 250 head of cattle and 100 head of hogs feeding on his farm.
Mr. Wood is not affiliated with any church, but is a member of the Odd Fellows. Politically, he believes in the Democratic party and is a worker for its principles, although he never seeks office.