My Genealogy Hound

David P. Wood, an old and influential citizen of Franklin County, Mo., was born in Amherst County, Va., February 2, 1818, a son of Thomas and Louisa J. (Gooch) Wood, who were natives of Louisa County, Va. The father died in Franklin County, August 21, 1851, and the mother in the same county eight years later. This family came to Franklin County, Mo., in the fall of 1831, and settled on the farm on which our subject is now residing. The father was a farmer all his life, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. They were for many years members of the Baptist Church, he joining that denomination before coming to Missouri and she immediately after. Nine children were born to this union, five sons and four daughters, only five of whom are now living. David P. received his education in Virginia and Missouri, and a few years after gaining his majority acted as overseer for his uncles. At the age of twenty-one he was appointed deputy sheriff and served as such under his brother, S. W. Wood, for four years. He then engaged in farming, which he continued until 1850, when Judge G. B. Wade was elected sheriff, and he again acted as deputy. Since then he has turned his attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits. December 28, 1842, Mr. Wood married Miss Mary E. Ming, a native of Campbell County, Va. born August 13, 1822, and the daughter of W. and D. Ming. She died in Franklin County, October 29, 1887. She was the sister of Hon. James M. Ming, whose sketch appears elsewhere in these pages. To Mr. Wood and wife were born nine children, six now living, viz.: Mrs. Agnes Jones, the wife of Charles Jones, Jr., now living in St. Louis; James L. Wood, now living in Montana, a stock raiser and dealer and miner; Leslie E., ex-recorder of Franklin County, and now living at Labaddie; John W., now a resident of Kansas City, in the insurance business; Charles B., a resident of Boles, and Mortimer, at home. Those deceased are: Doratha V. Riggin, aged twenty-six, and the wife of Eugene Riggin, at St. Louis; Louisa J., aged twenty-two and Albert W., aged twenty-three. Mr. Wood is a Democrat in his political views.