My Genealogy Hound

Charles W. Wood was born in Louisa County, Va., August 26, 1827, and is the fifth son of Thomas and Louisa J. (Gooch) Wood. The father was born in Louisa County, Va., May 14, 1790, and died in Franklin County, Mo., August 21, 1851. The mother was born in Goochland County, Va., December 3, 1793, and died in Franklin County, Mo., May 29, 1859. The father was a soldier in the War of 1812, was a farmer, and one of the early settlers of Franklin County, Mo., coming here in a wagon, when there were very few settlers in the county. Their home for three years was in a cabin that had not a nail in its structure. The roof was held on with poles, and the doors were hung with wooden pegs. Both he and wife were members of the Baptist Church, of which he was a deacon. Nine children were the result of his marriage, five sons and four daughters, five now living. Charles W. received the rudiments of an education in the schools of Franklin County, and very different was the log school house of that day, with its split logs for seats and puncheon floors, from the elegant school houses of late years. Our subject owns part of the old homestead, but has added other land, and now owns 240 acres and two small tracts. In the fall of 1860 he moved to his present place of residence, where he has erected a handsome building. February 15, 1859, he married Martha E. Murdock, a native of St. Charles County, Mo., born June 21, 1839, and the daughter of James and Lydia Murdock. To this marriage were born three children: Louis M., Lydia B. and Charles W. Mr. Wood and wife are worthy members of the Christian Church, of which he is a deacon. He is a Democrat, but crosses the line for better men, and is also a Prohibitionist.