JAMES N. WOOD. One of the leading business industries of Anna, Illinois,
is the plant of James N. Wood, who for twenty years has been identified with
the commercial interests of this city as a manufacturer of boxes, barrels,
baskets and fruit packages, and has developed his present enterprise from a
small beginning into one of the leading factories of its kind in Southern
Illinois. Mr. Wood belongs to the class of self-made men who have done so
much toward building up this section of the state. He started in life as a
poor boy, without either educational or financial advantages, and the
success which has attended his endeavors has been the result of persistency,
industry and a determination to win in the face of all obstacles. A native
of Johnson county, Illinois, Mr. Wood was born in 1855, and is a son of
Henry and Nancy (Reed) Wood, natives of Tennessee.
The education of Mr. Wood was limited to several months attendance in the
public schools, and he was obliged to go to work after the death of his
father, who was first a farmer in Johnson county and later a teamster in
Anna, whence he came in 1869. As a youth Mr. Wood contributed to the support
of his widowed mother and his younger brother, his first employer being R.
B. Stinson, who conducted a stave and heading factory. During the six years
that he remained with Mr. Stinson he became familiar with all the details of
the business, and after leaving his employ worked at the cooper trade until
1891, at which time he established himself in business as a manufacturer of
barrels, boxes, baskets and fruit packages, and the business has grown
steadily year by year. He now ships his goods to various points, and his
sales aggregate on an average of $10,000 per annum. Mr. Wood is possessed of
excellent business tact and ability as well as indefatigable energy, and has
an extensive acquaintance and solid reputation, not only throughout the
section in which he does business, but also in the counties adjoining. He
has found time from his business activities to serve his adopted city in
public positions, was mayor of Anna in 1906 and 1907, and served as alderman
from the First Ward for two terms, displaying unquestionable administrative
abilities. His career has been a credit to himself in every respect, and
creditable to the city in which he has so long lived and is so well known.
His fraternal connection is with the Modern Woodmen of America.
In 1878 Mr. Wood was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Faulkner, of
Illinois, and they had three children: Charles, who died at the age of four
years; Clara, born in St. Louis, who is now the wife of Cilus Bishop; and
Susie, who died in infancy. Mr. Wood's second marriage was to Miss Alice
Maxfield, of Union county, and to this union there have been born children
as follows: Stella and Birdie, who died in infancy; Harry, who is engaged in
the cooper business in Anna; Fred, who is assisting his father in business;
Sybil, John and Glenn, residing at home; Ralph, who died in infancy; Helen;
Robert, who is deceased; and Orlean. Mrs. Wood and the children are members
of the Baptist church, and Mr. Wood, while not a member of any special
denomination, has been a liberal supporter of religious and charitable
movements.
Extracted from 1912 A History of Southern Illinois, volume 2, pages 608-609.
| Jackson | Williamson | |
| MO |
 |
Johnson |
| Alexander | Pulaski |
