WILLIAM WOOD, M. D., was born on the 8th of February, 1822, in Bethlehem, N. H. He is the oldest of a family of three children of David Wood and Abigail Hosmer. The father was of English birth, and the mother a relative of the famous sculptor (Hosmer) of Massachusetts, and also of Lieut. Abner Hosmer, who, as history tells us, was the first to sacrifice his life in the cause of American independence, being killed in the battle of Lexington, Mass. Of the other two members of the Wood family, one is deceased. Charles Wood, who for several years was engaged in the wholesale mercantile business at St. Louis. The third is Clara A. Clark, a resident of Bloomington, Ill. William Wood, on arriving at manhood, decided to learn the blacksmith trade, having two objects in view, namely, physical development, but more especially that he might obtain the means with which to defray the expense of a course in college, for which he was preparing. He afterward became a student in the Burlington College, where he continued his studies one year. Later, he entered the Dartmouth College, where he graduated in the year 1850. He then entered the Castleton Medical College of Vermont, and received the degree conferred by that institution in 1852. In the fall of the same year he came to Cairo, Ill., and immediately entered on what has proven a long and prosperous practice. Though he may not compare favorablywith many others of his profession as a collector, he has, by good investment and strictly temperate habits, succeeded in acquiring a handsome income for his old age. He is the maker and proprietor of the Wood's fever and ague pills. Subject was married, at Cairo, Ill., on the 3d of April, 1863, to Miss Ann E. Spiller, daughter of W. H. Spiller, one of the pioneers of Southern Illinois, who died in Cairo in 1882. Mrs. Wood was born in Union County February 5, 1844. Their family consists of five children — Kate C, born August 12, 1868; David C, born September 28, 1870; William H., born March 16, 1875; Flora, born August 2, 1880, and Henry F., born September 24, 1882. Family residence and office on the corner of Third street and Washington avenue.
Extracted 31 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part V, page 55.
| Cape Girardeau MO |
Union | |
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Pulaski | |
| Scott MO | Mississippi MO | Ballard KY |
