- FRANK WOOD, one of the representative, enterprising business
men of Janesville, Rock
- County, proprietor of a grocery establishment at the corner
of Madison, North Academy and Ravine streets, is fast building
up a very desirable trade, catering to the wants of his customers
in a manner that secures continued patronage.
- Frank WOOD was born in Janesville Oct. 19, 1842, a son of
Royal and Eliza (ANDREWS)
- WOOD, natives of New York City. His paternal grandfather,
Silas WOOD, was a native of Ohio, a farmer by occupation, and
came to Wisconsin in the early days, settling on a farm about
eighteen miles from Janesville, in Rock County, where he died
at an advanced age. He had four children. The grandfather on
the mother's side, Francis ANDREWS, was engaged in handling meat
in New York City, where he operated a large market. His family
consisted of four or five children, and he died when quite an
old man.
- Royal WOOD, the father of our subject was a sailor on the
lakes in early manhood, and came to
- Wisconsin in 1840, locating in Janesville, where he engaged
in the grocery business. Later he embarked in a livery business,
and continued same for over twenty years. Now Mr. WOOD has retired
from active business pursuits. His wife died in December, 1890,
aged about seventy-six years. For many years Royal WOOD was register
of deeds. He and his wife were Unitarians in religious belief.
They were blessed with nine children, six sons and three daughters,
three of whom are now living; Frank; Royal, of San Diego, Cal.;
and Wesley P., of Chicago.
- Frank WOOD, the subject proper of this biography, has lived
in Janesville all his life, attended
- the public schools, and is thoroughly identified with its
best interests. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war, like so many
others, he was fired with patriotism and enlisted in the 12th
Wisconsin Battery, Light Artillery, serving about three years.
At the battle of Savannah, Ga., Mr. WOOD was wounded, and he
participated in the battles of Corinth, Iuka, Altoona, Ga., Sherman's
march to the sea, and many other less important engagements.
After the close of the war Mr. WOOD returned home and became
a brakeman of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad,
serving in this capacity for several years; was then made baggageman;
then freight conductor; and finally passenger conductor. Feeling
the need of rest, Mr. WOOD finally retired from the service of
the railroad in 1883, and until January, 1900, did not engage
in any line of business aside from attending to her personal
affairs. At that date he purchased the grocery concern of W.
S. PHILLIPS, made many desirable innovations, and now carries
a full line of provisions, and is fully prepared to supply his
trade promptly and efficiently. In addition to his pleasant home
at No. 210 West Bluff street, Janesville, which he erected, Mr.
WOOD owns other real estate throughout the city, all of which
is valuable.
- On Jan. 24, 1866, Frank WOOD married Miss Maria JOHNSTON,
daughter of William H. and
- Henrietta (STEINBERGER) JOHNSTON, and one daughter was born
to them, Carrie, who married Arthur W. WHEELOCK, of Rockford,
Ill., and has a daughter Marguerite. Mrs. WOOD is a consistent
member of the Episcopal Church, and a very estimable and charitable
lady. Politically Mr. WOOD is a Republican, and steadfastly upholds
the principles of his party upon every occasion. Genial, public-spirited
and enterprising, Mr. WOOD has made many friends, and his success
in life is well deserved.
-
- Taken from "Commemorative Biographical Record of
the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin"
(c) 1901, pp. 114-115.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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