Heber C. Wood was the second child of Daniel and Peninah S. C. Wood. He was born at Bountiftil, Davis County, Utah on 18 December 1848, just a short time after his family had crossed the plains and arrived in Salt Lake Valley. He helped his Father and brothers on the farm doing those things necessary for the support of the large family. He also helped with the building of the Salt Lake Temple. When he was 21 years of age, he went to work for his brother, Daniel C. Wood and two years later began farming for himself when he married Eunice Clarissa Allen 8 may 1871. They were sealed for time and etemity in the Old Endowment House, 30 October 1871, by Apostle Joseph F. Smith, who later became the President of the Church.

Clarissa, as she was called, was bom in Bountiful, Davis County, Utah, 26 October 1855. She was the 10th child of Pioneer Jude Allen and his wife Marv Ann Nicholas, who had joined the church in 1843. Jude Allen was a body guard of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and was with him when he said, "I go like a lamb to the slaughter--" before the martyrdom. The Jude Allen family arrived in the Salt Lake Valley with a company of Saints in September 1852.

Heber and Clarissa lived in Bountiful until the year 1880 when they sold their property to Heber's brother Joseph C. Wood , and emigrated to Rock Creek, Onieda County (now Power County) Idaho. They, along with nine other families, were the first to settle that part of Idaho. The first home that Heber built was a log cabin with board floor and a dirt roof and for many years it stood as a familiar landmark a short distance West of the town Rockland. He was the original owner of the land on which the town was built.

For many years, Heber and Clarissa's home was used as the meeting place for church and school affairs, for marriages, funerals, court proceedings and for meetings of peace with the Indians. Heber was Postmaster and Justice of the Peace and those businesses were also conducted in their home.

Heber had a remarkable gift of knowing how to handle troubles and helping them to settle their differences. Both Heber and Clarissa had a firm testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and were active in the Church. Heber was in the Sunday School Superintendency, taught M.I.A. and was choir leader. He was a High Priest and filled three Stake Missions for the Church. Clarissa was the first Relief Society President in the Rockland Ward, and held that position for 21 years until her death, 16 November 1904.

Heber was trained in music and in his youth was taught to play the violin. He participated in the Daniel Wood Family Orchestra along with his brothers, so it was only natural; that he should teach music to his children as well as others. He had a five piece orchestra among the children and they furnished music for many dances and other entertainments.

Heber loved his neighbors and was active in many community affairs. He helped build the first school house in Rockland and for many years was the largest share holder. He was elected a trustee of the school district and was put in as one of the first teachers.

According to his Obituary published in the American Falls Press, "Heber Wood was the first successful dry farmer in the Rockland Valley and the territory surrounding American Falls. In 1908, on a forty acre tract of land, he harvested a crop of wheat that averaged 60 bushels to the acre, the largest yield ever to that time. He kept a journal and faithfully recorded every important date and occurrence that happened in the valley in his lifetime, and is considered the most reliable record of event since 1880 in that section of Idaho."

His journal also contains some of his dreams, visions and several poems of a religious nature, written by him as well as his brother, Peter.

Heber and Clafissa Wood were the parents of 13 children, The first four were bom in Bountiful, Davis County, Utah. They were Eunice Clafissa, Ira Rock, buried in the Daniel Wood Cemetery at Wood's Cross, Heber and Edith. The others, bom at Rockland, Idaho are Ely, George, Mary Peninah, Alma Mosiah, Bertha Luella, Eva Sarah, Joseph Carlyle, James Leo, and Inez Ella, all but three lived to maturity, were married and had families.

Heber's last days were spent in doing work at the Salt lake Temple. He took sick during one session and passed away at his brothers George's home the following day, February 4, 1915. His body was shipped to Rockland for burial beside his wife and the funeral was attended by more than 600 people.

Following is an excerpt from his journal. "We attended the dedication of the Logan Temple on may 17-18, 1884 and saw the magnificent building and all the departments therein and heard some good preaching and singing, which I hope we will never forget as long as we live in the flesh. I wish my children to go through the Lord's House, for I spend a great deal of time reading of those things that pertain to their salvation which they cannot receive in any other way than in the House of the Lord. For I know these things are of God, and if we will strive to know these things, the Lord will reveal these things unto all those who come to him with a broken heart and contrite spirit. "

Note: The information for this history was taken from the Journal of Heber C. Wood, from his Obituary and from a "Brief History of Heber C. Wood" by daughter, Mary Wood McCarty Sanderson.