Wallace A. Wood

Emery Wood, David and Wallace's father, was born sometime around December 1810. Their mother's name and date of birth are unknown, although the date her marriage is: April 13, 1836. Emery and his wife had five children: Juliette Wood (1838-1840); David Alford Wood and Diantha Almeda Wood, born on September 12, 1842 (twins); Wallace (Wallis) Alonzo Wood born on October 11, 1843; and Mary Emeline Wood born on October 1, 1847. The young couple lived in upstate New York until at least 1843. Later the family relocated to Michigan, where Emery died on July 17, 1847 in Wayne County. His wife must have survived him; the couple's final child was born 3 months AFTER Emery died. By 1850, however, the children were essentially parentless. Presumably, their mother had also passed away.

The 1850 New York Census shows Wallis Wood in the household of Cyrus M. Wood in the town of Ellicott, Chautauqua County, New York. David and Diantha were in the household of Washington Wood in the town of Byron, Genesse County New York. Family history indicates that Abial Wood was appointed guardian of Emery's four surviving children in or about 1850, although no know documentation exists. The family history also relates that Wallace was raised by Abial Wood. Abial had a son, Webster,who was close in age to Wallace.

The 1860 Census shows David and Diantha in New York, living in another household as a farm laborer and house servant.
Wallace and Jane Carr were living in the household of Abial Wood in Livonia, Michigan. A likely scenario would be the Wallace and Webster were Abial's "apprentices". Abial was a sometime brickmaker, and later both Webster and Wallace would follow that trade.

Wallace, along with brother David A. Wood and their cousin Webster A. Wood enlisted in company K on August 5, 1862 at Livonia. Company K was mustered into service on August 14, 1862. In the photograph above, Wallace is seated, while his brother David is standing.

Not very much is know of Wallace's wartime service. Webster A. Wood's surviving diaries do occasionally mention him. Wallace A Wood was discharged for disability at Detroit, Michigan, on September 16, 1863. The nature of his ailment is not currently known.

The 1870 Census shows Wallace and David in the household of William and Emily Vanderhayden (Ionia County, Easton Twp.). Emily is supposed to been Webster Woods's sister.

Wallace Wood married Jenny Carr in 1872 in Ionia, Michigan. David Wood was a witness. Amazingly, among Abial Wood's extended household in 1860, there was a "Jane Carr" who is exactly the right age to have been "Jenny Carr". Wallace and Jenny had 11 children, 10 of which grew up to adulthood, 8 married and had children of their own. There are at least 180 descendants of Wallace and Jenny.

The 1880 Census shows Wallace and Jenny in Big Rapids, Michigan with their 4 children. Wallace worked for William Vanderhayden in the brickyard located in Big Rapids. Presumably the Wallace moved his family to Big Rapids some time after 1878. Their fourth child was born in Lansing, 5th while the fifth child was born in 1880 in Big Rapids. At the time the "Brown Books" were being compiled (c. 1905) his present residence was listed as Big Rapids.

Wallace Wood died on March 8, 1917. His wife Jenny died on February 16, 1932. Both are buried in Highlandview Cemetery, Big Rapids.

Known Descendant:

George Schill, GPS33@aol.com

Probable Relative:

H. Webster Wood, wwk@mail.thewild.com

Much of the information for this page was provided by George Schill. Photograph courtesy of George Schill, used with permission.