JAMES O. WOOD
JAMES O.
WOOD, farmer, Phidelta, Banks CO., Ga., son of Josh and Stacy
(Wheeler) Wood was born in Jackson county, Ga., in 1833. HIs paternal grandfather, John Wood, was a
native South Carolinian, and a farmer, and a soldier in the last war with
Great Britain. Mr. Wood's father was
born in South Carolina, and was raised a farmer.
He came to Georgia in 1826, and settled in Jackson county, but some
years later moved to what is now Banks county.
He was a member of the Baptist church.
His maternal grandfather, James Wheeler, was a native of Virginia,
and a farmer. He was a soldier in
the war of 1812, and after the war migrated to Georgia and settled in Jackson
county, which at that time was very sparsely peopled.
Mr. Wood was
raised on the farm, received a very limited education, and when reaching maturity
engaged in farming. In 1863 he enlisted
in a company commanded by Capt. Whitehead, which was a part of Maj. S. J.
Winn's cavalry battalion. He was in
a number of battles, and in that at Limestone was severely wounded and sent
to the hospital, and after remaining there four weeks was sent home. He started in life poor, but by hard work,
economy and good managemen he has made money and secured a competency. He bought his first land during the war, and
paid for it with Confederate money, and now has a good farm of 450 acres,
with a good home on it. His farm is
under splendid cultivation, and he is considered one of the best farmers in
the county. He has wisely invested a portion of his farm profits in the Harmony
Grove mills, whereby he has consumers of his surplus farm product right at
his door. Himself and wife own twenty-six
shares of stock in the Georgia railway, and he owns twelve shares in the North
Eastern and four in the Gainesville Southern.
Wise farmers will encourage the establishment of maufactories near
them.
Mr. Wood was
married, in 1859, to Miss Louise-born Franklin county in 1827daughter of Joel
and Elizabeth (Mays) Thomas. He was
born in Elbert county, Ga., but when about two years old his father moved
to Franklin (now Banks) county. He
was a farmer and was a soldier in the war of 1812.
Of the children which blessed this union, four survive: James M., W.
E., physician, Dalton, Ga.; Arthur W. and Belle.
He is a Master Mason, and Mrs. Wood is a devout member of the Presbyterian
church.
Source: Memoirs of Georgia, Volume I., Southern Historical
Asssociation, 1895
Copy and Copyright 2003 by Jacqueline King
