JOHN H. WOOD.
The name of Wood is one of the best known and most highly honored at the Union Stock Yards, where many bearers of the patronymic have not only achieved financial success, but
have also built up enviable reputations for clearheadedness, sound judgment and sterling moral worth. Among the largest and most prosperous firms at the "Yards," for many years, has been that of Wood Brothers, of which Mr. John H. Wood was one of the organizers, and for many years a member.
Both his parents, Andrew and Barbara (McPherson) Wood, were of Scotch nativity, while he himself was born in Embro, Oxford County, Canada, on September 21, 1835. At the age of fourteen years he resolved to begin life's battle for himself, and, leaving his father's house, for three months he drove stage on a route of twenty-five miles. He soon perceived, however, that this employment offered little promise for the future, and determined to learn a trade.
Going to Brantford, Canada, he served an apprenticeship of three years in carriage-trimming. For a year thereafter he worked as journeyman for the house which he had served as an apprentice, his skill and fidelity commanding the full confidence of his employers.
From Brantford he went to Guelph, and after a short residence there crossed the boundary, and came to what Canadians are fond of designating as "the States," seeking employment. At that time the prevailing high wages had overstocked the labor market, and after traveling from Cincinnati to New Orleans, and failing to secure work at his trade, he wheeled coal for a time on the docks at New Orleans for two dollars and fifty cents per day, his fellow-laborers being negro slaves.
From New Orleans he went to Medina, N. Y., where he bought an unfinished livery stable and carriage shop, the material for which, with the pluck and enterprise of a true Chicagoan, he shipped to Chicago. From 1859 until 1861 he conducted a large stable at the corner of Kinzie Street and LaSalle Avenue, where it was his custom to furnish conveyances for such magnates as S. W. Allerton, W. M. Til-
den and Peter Nottingham, on their early morning trips to the Stock Yards. In 1861 he disposed of his livery business, to enter the employ of W. M. Tilden as a buyer of hogs at the Fort Wayne Yards, retaining that position for four years.
He then entered upon the live-stock commission business for himself, and from this beginning ultimately developed the great house of Wood Brothers. In 1880 he withdrew from the firm, preferring to carry on business alone.
Mr. Wood's domestic life has been exceptionally happy. It was on January 15, 1856, that he married Mary McDonald, at Brantford, Canada, who became the mother of his eight children. Of this family only four are living: James, William, John E. and Hazel Viola, who became Mrs. J. F. Kirkendall, July 3, 1898. Mr. Wood is a cordial host, and his pleasant home is always a center for refined gatherings. Generous to a fault towards his friends, he is liberal to the poor and a generous contributor to both public and private charities. An earnest advocate of temperance, the Women's Christian Temperance Union and their numerous reform clubs, find in him a zealous and liberal supporter.
The name of Wood is one of the best known and most highly honored at the Union Stock Yards, where many bearers of the patronymic have not only achieved financial success, but
have also built up enviable reputations for clearheadedness, sound judgment and sterling moral worth. Among the largest and most prosperous firms at the "Yards," for many years, has been that of Wood Brothers, of which Mr. John H. Wood was one of the organizers, and for many years a member.
Both his parents, Andrew and Barbara (McPherson) Wood, were of Scotch nativity, while he himself was born in Embro, Oxford County, Canada, on September 21, 1835. At the age of fourteen years he resolved to begin life's battle for himself, and, leaving his father's house, for three months he drove stage on a route of twenty-five miles. He soon perceived, however, that this employment offered little promise for the future, and determined to learn a trade.
Going to Brantford, Canada, he served an apprenticeship of three years in carriage-trimming. For a year thereafter he worked as journeyman for the house which he had served as an apprentice, his skill and fidelity commanding the full confidence of his employers.
From Brantford he went to Guelph, and after a short residence there crossed the boundary, and came to what Canadians are fond of designating as "the States," seeking employment. At that time the prevailing high wages had overstocked the labor market, and after traveling from Cincinnati to New Orleans, and failing to secure work at his trade, he wheeled coal for a time on the docks at New Orleans for two dollars and fifty cents per day, his fellow-laborers being negro slaves.
From New Orleans he went to Medina, N. Y., where he bought an unfinished livery stable and carriage shop, the material for which, with the pluck and enterprise of a true Chicagoan, he shipped to Chicago. From 1859 until 1861 he conducted a large stable at the corner of Kinzie Street and LaSalle Avenue, where it was his custom to furnish conveyances for such magnates as S. W. Allerton, W. M. Til-
den and Peter Nottingham, on their early morning trips to the Stock Yards. In 1861 he disposed of his livery business, to enter the employ of W. M. Tilden as a buyer of hogs at the Fort Wayne Yards, retaining that position for four years.
He then entered upon the live-stock commission business for himself, and from this beginning ultimately developed the great house of Wood Brothers. In 1880 he withdrew from the firm, preferring to carry on business alone.
Mr. Wood's domestic life has been exceptionally happy. It was on January 15, 1856, that he married Mary McDonald, at Brantford, Canada, who became the mother of his eight children. Of this family only four are living: James, William, John E. and Hazel Viola, who became Mrs. J. F. Kirkendall, July 3, 1898. Mr. Wood is a cordial host, and his pleasant home is always a center for refined gatherings. Generous to a fault towards his friends, he is liberal to the poor and a generous contributor to both public and private charities. An earnest advocate of temperance, the Women's Christian Temperance Union and their numerous reform clubs, find in him a zealous and liberal supporter.
JOHN H. WOOD.
The name of Wood is one of the best known and most highly honored at the Union Stock Yards, where many bearers of the patronymic have not only achieved financial success, but
have also built up enviable reputations for clearheadedness, sound judgment and sterling moral worth. Among the largest and most prosperous firms at the "Yards," for many years, has been that of Wood Brothers, of which Mr. John H. Wood was one of the organizers, and for many years a member.
Both his parents, Andrew and Barbara (McPherson) Wood, were of Scotch nativity, while he himself was born in Embro, Oxford County, Canada, on September 21, 1835. At the age of fourteen years he resolved to begin life's battle for himself, and, leaving his father's house, for three months he drove stage on a route of twenty-five miles. He soon perceived, however, that this employment offered little promise for the future, and determined to learn a trade.
Going to Brantford, Canada, he served an apprenticeship of three years in carriage-trimming. For a year thereafter he worked as journeyman for the house which he had served as an apprentice, his skill and fidelity commanding the full confidence of his employers.
From Brantford he went to Guelph, and after a short residence there crossed the boundary, and came to what Canadians are fond of designating as "the States," seeking employment. At that time the prevailing high wages had overstocked the labor market, and after traveling from Cincinnati to New Orleans, and failing to secure work at his trade, he wheeled coal for a time on the docks at New Orleans for two dollars and fifty cents per day, his fellow-laborers being negro slaves.
From New Orleans he went to Medina, N. Y., where he bought an unfinished livery stable and carriage shop, the material for which, with the pluck and enterprise of a true Chicagoan, he shipped to Chicago. From 1859 until 1861 he conducted a large stable at the corner of Kinzie Street and LaSalle Avenue, where it was his custom to furnish conveyances for such magnates as S. W. Allerton, W. M. Til-
den and Peter Nottingham, on their early morning trips to the Stock Yards. In 1861 he disposed of his livery business, to enter the employ of W. M. Tilden as a buyer of hogs at the Fort Wayne Yards, retaining that position for four years.
He then entered upon the live-stock commission business for himself, and from this beginning ultimately developed the great house of Wood Brothers. In 1880 he withdrew from the firm, preferring to carry on business alone.
Mr. Wood's domestic life has been exceptionally happy. It was on January 15, 1856, that he married Mary McDonald, at Brantford, Canada, who became the mother of his eight children. Of this family only four are living: James, William, John E. and Hazel Viola, who became Mrs. J. F. Kirkendall, July 3, 1898. Mr. Wood is a cordial host, and his pleasant home is always a center for refined gatherings. Generous to a fault towards his friends, he is liberal to the poor and a generous contributor to both public and private charities. An earnest advocate of temperance, the Women's Christian Temperance Union and their numerous reform clubs, find in him a zealous and liberal supporter.
The name of Wood is one of the best known and most highly honored at the Union Stock Yards, where many bearers of the patronymic have not only achieved financial success, but
have also built up enviable reputations for clearheadedness, sound judgment and sterling moral worth. Among the largest and most prosperous firms at the "Yards," for many years, has been that of Wood Brothers, of which Mr. John H. Wood was one of the organizers, and for many years a member.
Both his parents, Andrew and Barbara (McPherson) Wood, were of Scotch nativity, while he himself was born in Embro, Oxford County, Canada, on September 21, 1835. At the age of fourteen years he resolved to begin life's battle for himself, and, leaving his father's house, for three months he drove stage on a route of twenty-five miles. He soon perceived, however, that this employment offered little promise for the future, and determined to learn a trade.
Going to Brantford, Canada, he served an apprenticeship of three years in carriage-trimming. For a year thereafter he worked as journeyman for the house which he had served as an apprentice, his skill and fidelity commanding the full confidence of his employers.
From Brantford he went to Guelph, and after a short residence there crossed the boundary, and came to what Canadians are fond of designating as "the States," seeking employment. At that time the prevailing high wages had overstocked the labor market, and after traveling from Cincinnati to New Orleans, and failing to secure work at his trade, he wheeled coal for a time on the docks at New Orleans for two dollars and fifty cents per day, his fellow-laborers being negro slaves.
From New Orleans he went to Medina, N. Y., where he bought an unfinished livery stable and carriage shop, the material for which, with the pluck and enterprise of a true Chicagoan, he shipped to Chicago. From 1859 until 1861 he conducted a large stable at the corner of Kinzie Street and LaSalle Avenue, where it was his custom to furnish conveyances for such magnates as S. W. Allerton, W. M. Til-
den and Peter Nottingham, on their early morning trips to the Stock Yards. In 1861 he disposed of his livery business, to enter the employ of W. M. Tilden as a buyer of hogs at the Fort Wayne Yards, retaining that position for four years.
He then entered upon the live-stock commission business for himself, and from this beginning ultimately developed the great house of Wood Brothers. In 1880 he withdrew from the firm, preferring to carry on business alone.
Mr. Wood's domestic life has been exceptionally happy. It was on January 15, 1856, that he married Mary McDonald, at Brantford, Canada, who became the mother of his eight children. Of this family only four are living: James, William, John E. and Hazel Viola, who became Mrs. J. F. Kirkendall, July 3, 1898. Mr. Wood is a cordial host, and his pleasant home is always a center for refined gatherings. Generous to a fault towards his friends, he is liberal to the poor and a generous contributor to both public and private charities. An earnest advocate of temperance, the Women's Christian Temperance Union and their numerous reform clubs, find in him a zealous and liberal supporter.
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