My Genealogy Hound

John D. Wood, postmaster at California, Mo., and a native of Moniteau County, was born on the 24th of July, 1831. Lashley L. and Sarah (McKenzie) Wood were born in the “Blue Grass State,” and immigrated to Boone County, Mo., in 1827, and were married here in 1828. The father was born in 1798 and the mother in 1811. They entered land and remained in Boone County until 1831, when they moved to Moniteau County and took up their abode about four miles northwest of California, where they purchased and entered a large amount of land, owning at one time 1,700 acres. In 1836 the father engaged in merchandising, his store being established on his farm, and conducted this business in connection with his farming until 1853, when he moved to California, and was occupied in merchandising and hotel keeping for twenty years. Since that time he has been retired from active business pursuits. He is now in his ninety-first year. He built the first house in California on the site of G. A. Burkhardt’s establishment, and was instrumental in the establishment of Moniteau County and in having it surveyed. He then served as treasurer of the same for several years, and for many years has been one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the county. He has been mayor of California, and was often solicited to run for governor, but absolutely declined, preferring to give his attention to his business. His wife died on the 10th of February, 1881. Only two of their large family of twelve children are living: John D. and L. F. John D. was educated in Moniteau County, and remained on the farm until 1846, when he came to California and took charge of his father’s store, the firm taking the name of J. D. Wood & Co., remaining such for thirty years. In 1876 he was elected sheriff of the county, and served until 1880, when he engaged in clerking. On the 10th of July, 1888, he was appointed postmaster of California, and is still serving in this capacity. He also filled the same position from the time the town was established until Abraham Lincoln’s administration. He has served as mayor and councilman at different times, and has been identified with the interests of the county all his life, and has witnessed its development from an unbroken forest to its present state of cultivation and wealth. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Chapter and Blue Lodge, and also belongs to the A. O. U. W. In 1856 he was married to Joan Alexander, a daughter of A. A. Alexander, of Cooper County, by whom he has had six children, three of whom are living: Lashley P., William L. and Mamie A. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.