US Congressman. After completing his education he moved to Lee County, Illinois in 1859 and became a school Principal. In 1861 he joined the Army for the Civil War as a First Lieutenant in Company C, Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry. He was discharged as a Captain in 1863 and then attended law school at the University of Chicago, graduating in 1864. Wood practiced law in Effingham, was active in politics, and also served as a Judge Advocate in the Illinois National Guard with the rank of Brigadier General. In 1872 he served in the Illinois House of Representatives, and he was a Delegate to the 1876 Republican national convention. From 1881 to 1883 Wood served as Mayor of Effingham, and he was a Delegate to the 1884 and 1888 Republican National Conventions. From 1885 to 1891 he served as a Trustee of the Illinois Asylum for Feeble Minded Children. In 1894 Wood was elected to the US House of Representatives and served one term, 1895 to 1897. He ran unsuccessfully for reelection in 1896. From 1898 to 1900 he was President of the Illinois State Bar Association. From 1903 to 1912 Wood was President of the Effingham State Bank, and he was Chairman of the bank's Board of Directors from 1912 until his death. He was also a benefactor of McKendree University, which named its main campus and a library for him.
US Congressman. After completing his education he moved to Lee County, Illinois in 1859 and became a school Principal. In 1861 he joined the Army for the Civil War as a First Lieutenant in Company C, Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry. He was discharged as a Captain in 1863 and then attended law school at the University of Chicago, graduating in 1864. Wood practiced law in Effingham, was active in politics, and also served as a Judge Advocate in the Illinois National Guard with the rank of Brigadier General. In 1872 he served in the Illinois House of Representatives, and he was a Delegate to the 1876 Republican national convention. From 1881 to 1883 Wood served as Mayor of Effingham, and he was a Delegate to the 1884 and 1888 Republican National Conventions. From 1885 to 1891 he served as a Trustee of the Illinois Asylum for Feeble Minded Children. In 1894 Wood was elected to the US House of Representatives and served one term, 1895 to 1897. He ran unsuccessfully for reelection in 1896. From 1898 to 1900 he was President of the Illinois State Bar Association. From 1903 to 1912 Wood was President of the Effingham State Bank, and he was Chairman of the bank's Board of Directors from 1912 until his death. He was also a benefactor of McKendree University, which named its main campus and a library for him.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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