Here in this land, where a man, to live, was a real man; in this land of granite, marble and gold, man's strength was like the strength of the hills. This land of oaks, cedars and pines, man's grace was like the untamed trees, and the atmosphere was like the atmosphere of places that remained as God made them; wild rolling mountains, meadows, and pastures where freedom was not bounded by fences. Here men have won fame, fortune, honor, and great power in the affairs of mankind. Great statesmen, generals, pioneers and others have risen to renown; but a number of our real heroes and pioneers that have made history kept in the background to really and truly live. Such a pioneer was our father and grandfather, Joseph Cotton Wood.

On 28 October 1856, the subject of our sketch was born in a humble pioneer home in North Canyon Ward, Davis County, Utah Territory just two minutes past two o'clock Tuesday afternoon and two hours before the moon changed and received a father's blessing when three hours old. (Taken from his father's family history or records.)

Joseph was a descendant of John Wood and Johanna Heglington, who emigrated to America in 1680, from Derbyshire, England and settled in Ulster County, New York. His father was Daniel Wood, and his mother Peninah Cotton who were pioneers of 1848 from Missouri.

When Joseph was born his mother was living in the old adobe house on the Wood Farm just east of where his present home is. He was the sixth child of seven children, six boys and one girl, Daniel, Heber, Peter, George, Josephine, Joseph and Caleb.

Joseph's school days were few, even though his father kept a private school in those early days. He liked raising vegetables, herding cows, rather than learn his abc's. When he was very small, he thrilled in the out of doors with the animals and loved being with his older brothers on the farm. One of his mother's hobbies was horseback riding. Many a time, when he was very small, he and his mother rode horseback together to Salt Lake City and back to shop. Quite a ride don't you think?

On his father's eighty acre farm, in what is now known as "Woods Cross," Joseph helped his father and brothers plow with ox team, two yoke of oxen to the plow. He helped to cut grain with a hand sickle and cradled it by hand. Every year they cut and hauled the wild hay from the Jordan Bottoms along the river to feed the stock in winter.

At the age of eight, he was chosen as the herd boy from the rest of the brothers, a task he faithfully filled, until he was past thirteen. Every morning from early spring until late fall, Joseph would be seen driving his herd to graze with a red bandana handkerchief filled with bread and molasses, corn bread and bacon and sometimes some dried fruit as his lunch which was tied to a stick and carried over his shoulder. With a whistle and song off he went driving his cows and sheep to the herd ground which was then south as far as the Hot Springs and east to the foot hills west to Jordan River and north almost to Farmington. He earned his first money herding cows for the neighbors, for fifty cents month per head and this meant Sundays and holidays as well. Even though the days were long and sometimes hot as well as cold, the trails rough and hard this little lad (the pride of his mother's heart) went barefoot all summer, and his clothes were home spun.

Well does he remember helping his mother cut the wool from the sheep, wash it, card it, help spin it, then assist her in making genes cloth with a hand loom. Not until he was fourteen did he have a suit of clothes bought from a store. This suit cost $20.00 and was bought from the old Aurbach Store on Main Street in Salt Lake City, and how badly his mother felt because of the exorbitant price he paid. One of his real achievements when very young was to make moccasins out of beef hide to wear in place of shoes in winter when going barefoot was impossible.

When Joseph was ten his father gave him a small piece of land to cultivate and raise watermelons, musk melons and bunch onions. Button onions were set out in the spring, one at a time in rows, and the seeds were carefully planted. This work he did before and after herding time each day. When his precious vegetables were ready for market, he sent them with his father's load. Not having springs on the wagon or paved roads the vegetables were place on straw to keep them from bruising. As soon as he had saved enough money he bought a fine horse all of his own and was he proud.

Being very handy with a team of horses or oxen Joseph, when only in his teens went with his brothers Daniel and Heber to drag wood and haul lumber from the "Old Mill Creek Saw Mill" east of Bountiful down to their home in the settlement. Often they hauled lumber from this mill down to Salt Lake for the tabernacle. This was done with ox teams and took fourteen hours to make the trip one way. They hauled brick from Bountiful taking 800 brick to a load with two yoke of oxen hitched to the cart or wagon. The was in 1868-69.

In those days of pioneer life, dancing was the main entertainment for young and old, and Daniel and Peninah's family all seemed gifted in music. Their father when the boys were just young men organized an orchestra and called it the "Wood Band." When Joseph was only eleven, he became a member playing a tambourine. This was in 1867. He next took the cello and later his brother Daniel got married and Joseph had his base vile, the instrument he plays to this day. This was the first orchestra in Davis County, and the Wood boys went all over the county to play for dancing and entertainments often playing until early morn.

Daniel Wood's private meeting house, known all over in the days when Joseph was a growing boy, was the meeting place for his family on Sunday for religious purposes and private family meetings then for dancing and entertainments during the week. It was here that little Joseph learned to step dance and sing when he was so small that he was boosted up on a box or stool so he could be seen in the audience. When he grew older, he took an active part in the family entertainments and plays, where the public was invited to take part and enjoy the evening. In this meeting house was a belfry, where a large bell hung, and tolled the hour of meeting and could be heard all over the country. It was also used for day school. This bell was brought across the plains by ox team.

In later years the brothers, Heber, Peter, George and Daniel married and moved away all except Joseph and George. It was then that Joseph joined the Heber Paekins Orchestra with William Brown and Frank Stanley, this was October 28, 1937, Joseph is the only one alive to tell the story of those happy days.

At the age of eighteen Joseph was the proud possessor of six head of horses and bain wagon. When Brigham Young organized the United Order Caravan to go to Arizona; when George and Peter went, Joseph gave this wagon and a team of horse to help the cause.

Soon after this, he bought six acres of land from his father. This property was located west of his present home and east of the Oregon Shortline at Woods Cross. The land was covered with wild willows and it was the tilling of this soil that Joseph began his efforts for a farm and home of his own.

One night in the winter of 1876, the Wood Brothers were playing at a dance in the old Rock School House in North Centerville, and the boys met for the first time the Chase girls, daughters of George Chase. Not long after that, they had an engagement to play at the old Reaves Hall in Centerville proper. George Chase was the manager that night and after the dance the boys were asked to go home with the Chase girls for supper. This was an eventful night for them all, for the Chase girls were known all over for their beauty, grace and loveliness. Their charming dad usually chaperoned them all to evening entertainments going on a hay rack with straw or wild hay for soft seats for comfortable riding. This Reve Hall was formally the first stopping place for the Wells Fargo Coach Co., across the country between Salt Lake and Weber. It was later remodeled and turned into a dance hall.

It was at this midnight supper that Joseph made the acquaintance of Josephine Chase, the second eldest daughter of George and Josephine Streeper Chase. He never did know that her name was Josephine until they knelt at the alter of matrimony, for she was always called "Inez." Yes, she became his bride on December 12, 1878. They were married in the old Endowment House on Temple Square by Daniel H. Wells. A lovely wedding was given that same evening at the brides home, and a lovely wedding it was. Josephine was born at the Liberty Park, in Salt Lake City, September 8, 1858. The park property was then owned by Isaac Chase her grandfather, a pioneer of 1847.

Joseph and Josephine's first home they rented from Mr. John Pack and is located back in the field east of the Woods Cross Cannery in West Bountiful. They lived there until after their first child Inez was born which was November 16, 1879. In March of this same year, Joseph's mother Penninah C. Wood died of a tumor.

Not long after their marriage a terrible epidemic of diphtheria spread all over the country, and the happy bride and groom were separated. Joseph took the dreaded disease, and Caleb, Joseph's baby brother died along with several other members of the Wood family. Josephine went to Springville to stay with her grandmother Prudence Streeper until it was over. She escaped the disease and was gone over three months.

In the year 1880 Heber, Joseph's brother sold his home and five acres of land to him, and with the exception of a front porch and the addition of two more rooms, this home was where their eleven children were born. They were the proud parents of twelve children, Inez Matilda, Isaac, Ethel, Prudence, Joseph Hugh, Josephine, Peninah, Cotton Hazelton, Kate Queen, Streeper, Zora and Dewey Eldridge. His loving wife passed away May 30, 1910 leaving him with a small family.

One thing Joseph and his wife prided themselves in was a beautiful front yard with spacious lawns, flowers and evergreens. The latter, he got from Weber Canyon when they could not be bought from a nursery. His barn and barn yard was also planned very carefully for convenience. He always drove fine horses and a good carriage. One of the prized joys on the Wood Farm was a Shetland pony (Jett) and a pony carriage which the children had at their service.

Joseph drove the first iron pipe to make a well in this country and James Marshell helped him. They went down eighty feet, driving the pipe by hand, cleaning the pipe out with strips of timber fastened together and perforated with holes to let the mud and water through.

Gooseberries made him famous for through his constant study and attention he found a remedy for mildew, a preventative that grew berries clean and free from disease even worms. These he shipped all over the country and with the inventive fan mill, he even removed the leaves and small berries, which with the packing care, they were the finest on the market. His children were his principle pickers, aside from the Duerden and Page girls. Joseph was always inventive so cushioned stools and sun shades were made for the convenience of the pickers somewhat a barrier against the terrible thorns on the bushes. What a sight it was at harvest time to see those shades shining against the sun and to know that his children were all busily at work at home. I must not forget the buckskins gloves all the pickers wore to counteract the thorns for it was common for some of them to pick ten bushels of berries in one day.

" That Old Blacksmith Shop" was also one of his greatest hobbies for being naturally mechanically inclined he could shoe a horse, make all kinds of garden tools and mend the most delicate machine. Many a winter night was spent in this shop with one of the children sitting on a small bench beside the forge blowing the bellows and watching the sparks fly. That anvil ring will never die away nor the memory of those days when all twelve of his children were home and each child took a turn at blowing the bellows.

Never could the memory of those canyon trips be forgotten when every year after the berry harvest the horses were hitched to the big farm wagon and with bedding food and camping equipment the whole family made their way to Weber Canyon for a weeks trip in "God's Great Out of Doors." Needless to say every one had the time of their lives, fishing, bathing, and tramping over the hills. The trip was made more interesting of course by having the pony Jett, the family pet, along to ride. The children were blessed above the average child when it came to having the pony and Shetland buggy at their convenience for the carriage had two seats and all could ride together if necessary or one child could use the pony for riding.

Joseph was one of the first "ward teachers" in the West Bountiful Ward, and this was in 1877. In 1891 Lewis Grant was chosen Bishop with Joseph C. and Daniel C. Lee as counselors a position he held until July 1901 when he was called on a mission to Great Briton returning in the fall of 1903, having filled a most successful mission. Later he had the joy of sending two sons, Isaac C. and Joseph Hugh on mission to Europe and one daughter Kate to the Eastern Sates and Canada.

In March 1893, Joseph was elected manager of the Woods Cross Canning Company, a position he held for several years.

In 1915, he superintended one of the most successful water systems for private use in the country and today this water coming from Mill Creek Canyon down to a reservoir is being distributed for family and lawn sprinkling purposes in West Bountiful with success.

On May 30, 1910, his dear wife and companion died leaving him with five children still at home the rest having married, except Streeper who died in October 1914. Needless to say this was a terrible thing in his life, and only by keeping very busy could he be comforted for she was his joy standing by his side always. The old home was kept the same until February 1921, when he married Mrs. Pearl Pond, a widow. By that time the family was all married except three, and they very soon were married and Joseph for the first time in forty-three years was home without a child.

In the spring of 1922, the "Old Home" was torn down, and a nice bungalow was built in its place, which is still being occupied. Even though that old home is gone, it still remains in the memory of all the family as a place where happiness and sorrow was sublime.

For several years, Joseph and his bride enjoyed the comforts of life, having a car, they were free to go and come as they chose. This did not last, for "Aunt Pearl" as she was called, died in October 1929 of diabetes. Since then, Joseph has lived at home alone except for awhile when his daughter Kate and family lived with him, but he finally chose to be alone and quiet. Each winter from then on he spends the winter with his son Isaac in California where the climate is warm and the flowers bloom the year around.

At the ripe old age of eighty-one (October 1937) Joseph harvests hay from the "Salt Bed Farm," and drives his car about as he pleases.

He was personally acquainted with all the Presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ except the Prophet Joseph Smith. He remembers Abraham Lincoln when he introduced the greenback paper money and when he was assassinated. In his lifetime he has lived to see twenty Presidents of the United States and hopes to see many more.

Horses for the farm, carriage and for riding was another of his joys. Today his greatest pleasure is horseback riding, and he never has been without fine horses. Even when his wife was alive, their horseback riding together was great sport. One can see that long riding habit waving in the breeze yet and the side-saddle for the Mrs.

Joseph is a student of the Book of Mormon, having studied it most of his life, and many a testimony and blessing has come into his life through the knowledge of this sacred record.

Today he has nine children living; fifty-five grandchildren, forty-three living; forty-six great grandchildren, forty-five living, and with his in-laws, his posterity numbers one hundred thirty.

In the Bountiful Cemetery stands a fourteen foot granite monument, his own design and model, which stands to his memory for all time.

"And thus we link Time to Eternity, where the true art of life has its final consummation.
 

I now take my pen in hand to finish the life history of father, Joseph Cotton Wood as my darling sister, Inez, so well has begun. I have lived on the old farm close to father and so having the care of him since Aunt Pearl's death and relate the closing chapter of his noble life.

Andrew and I with our two children lived with father for over two years after Aunt Pearl's death and finding the children too much for him in his old age, we built our home just west of the old home-site and moved our family to it. Then with the help of my dear sisters we kept up father's home just a Aunt Pearl left it. He spent a good part of his time with me in my home and always all day Sunday, taking turns with Josephine and Peninah, going to his own little home when he got weary of the children and to read and rest as he loved to do. He felt independent and free to have his home kept ready for him even if he did not spend all of his time in it. It was a wonderful joy and satisfaction to him. My, the miles I have walked up and down that road, taking laundry and getting more, taking nice things for him to eat as he insisted on waiting on himself as much as was possible. How happy I am now to think back on those days knowing how happy and independent he was, rather than be subject to any of his children and their families. Old people love to be independent and quiet. It is cruel to take them out of their familiar surroundings and break up their old homes.

He spent his winter months, as Inez said, at brother Isaac's home in Los Angeles, California. He did a lot of missionary work while there and some among the Indians which he loved and was so very capable of doing. He kept up a correspondence with many of them until his death.

He would come home in the late spring to his beloved hay ranch and to his home and garden. My how he loved to spend his time on the lawn with the flowers and hammering irons in that dear old shop, humming to himself and walking around the barns and feeding Chub and Puss, his horses which he loved, I believe, as much as he did his children and how they would whinny when they saw him coming. He would talk to them as he would a person. There never was a weed in any of father's gardens. How he loved to take old Puss and cultivate, talking to the horse as he did, just as if she were a person and she would look back just as if she understood. He was very active and surely enjoyed good health. He walked up and down from my house to his own and to the post office every day, shoulders back like a soldier and no slow stride either. He was very happy and content with his lawn and flowers and his pride the lovely evergreens which he kept immaculately trimmed. It was his pride to own and keep up the most beautiful front yard in the state, I believe.

Father was quite a weather prophet. "Well, it is going to storm," he would say, sometimes two or three days to a week before it would storm. One lock of hair on the top of his head would curl up as if it had been put in a curling iron and his eyes would always water, and it never failed to storm.

Everyday or so he would say, "Now, Katie, I want you to make me a currant pie today," which I did. I would pick the old black English currants here on the farm and bottle them so I would have plenty for father's pies. It was hard work but I guess it was worth it, for father loved the pies.

Many a day he would take a lunch and go to the ranch to work in the hayfield, cutting hay or taking care of the water. When he'd stay too long, I would send Joe down on his bicycle to see if Grandpa was all right. Joe would grumble many a time and say, "Mother, I'm just like Grandpa's colt, following him all the time to see if he's okay. What about me?" Joe had to be with his grandfather a lot during the last few years of his life, going with him to the hayfield and cutting weeds from the hayfield with a little shovel his grandpa got for him and mowing the lawn which got too much for grandpa to cut and taking care of the horses while he was in California. Father and the boys, Hugh and Cotton, worked the farm here together for many years until Cot finally bought part of the farm and then he and his boys went to themselves. Hugh and father worked the old ranch and the remainder of the farm until Hugh's death, which was a terrible blow to father, and I don't think he ever quite got over it. After that the place was put into hay and grain and the garden stuff was discontinued as father was not able to care for it. Father always had good health and his sickness and passing was of short duration.

In the fall of November, 1942, he slowly walked into my home one day and said, "My girl, I just don't feel well at all." I called the girls, Josephine and Peninah and told them that father was not well. Peninah took him home with her for a number of weeks where he could be close to the doctor and where he could rest awhile away from the farm, but he did not get any better slowly becoming worse. Then Peninah took very ill with a bad carbuncle on her head, and was not able to care for father in that condition. I was very ill then, just getting around from a very bad operation and not being well, could not do much for myself or for father, so Cot and Millie took him to their home where he slowly became worse, but was able to care for himself, out of bed all the time sitting up and getting around the house.

On a Friday evening he became quite overcome and Josephine and Peninah stayed with him through the night. The following day, Saturday and Sunday being no better, we took him to the Holy Cross Hospital where he received treatment for two days. Tuesday morning about 1:30 a.m. he passed away, February 9, 1943. We brought him back to Bountiful Union Mortuary. He lay in state at Brother C. C. Wood's home and was buried from the West Bountiful Ward Chapel on February 13, 1943. We laid him to rest beside mother in the family burying lot in the Bountiful Cemetery. Thus ended the life and career of one noble life and son of the pioneers.

May we all so live to bless his memory and be noble examples to him and mother is my greatest wish.

Kate Wood Anderson
(his ninth child)

The plow was made during the cold winter of 1895 and 1896 while he had nothing else to do and after school and Saturdays. I sat on the old seat he put on the wall of the shop and pumped the bellows to fan the forge and heat the irons which he pounded out to shape the old plowshare. The beam was made out of walnut limb taken from the trees grown on his farm also the handles were made of walnut. This plow which was exhibited in the State Fair was awarded a gold medal. It was designed to make his work easier as there were none of its kind to be gotten then.

Donated to the Daughters of Utah Pioneers by the daughters of Joseph Cotten Wood.

Kate Chase Wood Anderson
Josephine Chase Wood Naylor

Retyped from orginal by Norma Joan M. Wood 5 September 1990