My Genealogy Hound

Paris E. Wood, of Washington County, Mo., was born in Crawford County, Ind., in 1846. He attended the public schools until eighteen years old, then enlisted in the Union army, in Company D, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. In 1866 he entered the Indiana State University, but after about two and a half years’ attendance came to Washington County, Mo., where he has since made farming his chief occupation, although he taught school some thirteen terms. In 1872 he and Anna Hanson were united in marriage. She was born in England, in 1851, the daughter of Abram and Margaret (Smalley) Hanson, both natives of England. They came to the United States in 1853. Mr. Wood and his wife became the parents of seven children: Ira A., Lou E., Dora, Pearl A., Isa, Alma N. and Altha O. Mr. Wood owns 300 acres of land. He is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. Our subject’s grandfather Wood was a West Virginian, and moved to Southern Indiana when eighteen years old, and there married Ann Watson. He carried on several large farms, a gun factory, tannery and a distillery. His son, John, Paris E.’s father, at the age of twenty married Mary A. Stewart, who was but sixteen years old at that time. They became the parents of two sons and three daughters. Mr. Wood followed the occupations of gunsmithing and merchandising during his lifetime. He came to Missouri in 1852, and in 1858 to Washington County. During the war he went to Effingham County, Ill., where he died in the full strength of manhood. He was a member of the Christian Church, and a Republican in politics. During the first part of the war he was first lieutenant of Company H, Thirty-second Enrolled Militia. His wife died about 1882.