- JOHN WOOD, farmer, Sec. 8; P.O. Evansville; born Dec. 12,
1824, in Brighton, Sussex, Eng.,
- where he followed the occupation of shoemaking; came to America
in March, 1852, and first located in Astoria, L.I.; came to Wisconsin
the same year via canal to Buffalo, and by the lakes to Milwaukee,
thence to Footville, Rock Co., by land, from there he went to
Janesville, still working at his profession. He bought an acre
of land and built a house on Milton avenue, which, in 1855, he
traded for eighty acres of land in Magnolia Township, on to which
he moved, and commenced farming under adverse circumstances,
not having any experience. He had to carry his produce to Janesville,
and sell wheat at 48 cents per bushel, corn and oats, 10 to 12
cents per bushel, and had to work at his trade, in Albany, during
the winter to pay running expenses. He erected his homestead
in 1859, and has made all the improvements himself; he now owns
120 acres clear of debt; raises all kinds of grain, and has sixteen
head of horned stock, six horses, fifty-nine sheep, and a number
of hogs. Married Miss Ann WHITE, of Bath, Eng., June 22, 1850;
they have three children living - Sarah A., Edward T. and Isabelle;
he has served as Pathmaster, Clerk and Treasurer of School District,
and is a member of Lodge No. 32, Masons. Republican.
-
- Taken from "The History of Rock County, Wis."
(c)1879, p. 881.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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