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Note: from "History of Calhoun County, Michigan" by Hon. Washington Gardner "William D. Wood, a resident of Battle Creek since 1902, has been actively engaged in the contracting and building business in this city for the past four years. In that time he has made phenomenal progress with his business, and now occupies a prominent place among the builders and contract men of the city. He is a native of the state, born in Union City, Calhoun county, on February 12, 1871, and is the son of Frederick Duane and Clara (Reynolds) Wood, both born and reared in Chenango county, New York, in which place they were married. Following their marriage the young couple came to Michigan, settling in Union City, and they remained there for about ten years, when they returned to their old eastern home. They remained there but a short time, however, and on their return to Michigan located on a farm, three miles north of Athens. Here they lived for about eleven years, and later the mother died at the home there, her death occurring on July 16, 1900. The father died in Battle Creek in September, 1908, in which place he had lived for six years previous to his demise, making his home with one of his sons. They were the parents of a goodly family of eleven children, all of whom are yet living but one girl, Mrs. Marion (sic) Hulce. The living are: Mrs. C.H. Avery is a resident of LeRoy, this county; W.E., a resident of Battle Creek; Mrs. Emery Birmingham; Frederick, living at Paw Paw Lake; Ernest, Frank, Arthur and Bert, of Battle Creek; Myrton of Factoryville, St. Joseph county; William D. William D. Wood received his education principally in Athens, and while yet in his teens began to learn the carpenter's trade in that place. In the year of the World's Columbian Exposition he worked in Chicago, and gained much of valuable experience in his trade in that year. Following his Chicago experience he returned to Athens and worked at his trade until his marriage in November, 1894, after which he engaged in the meat business, continuing in that line for about three years in Athens. He once more took up the carpenter business, carrying on that work in Athens until 1902, in which year he made his advent into the industrial life of Battle Creek. He did not engage immediately in his own trade, however, as it was his intention to ultimately enter the contracting field, and he was desirous of becoming more familiar with business methods in the city before he committed himself to the responsibilities of an independent business. He went to work for the Advance Thresher Company, known now as the M. Rumely Company, and he was in their employ for nearly six years, at the end of which time he set up in business for himself. His efforts were crowned with success from the beginning, and his business has expanded in a most satisfactory manner. From a small beginning, Mr. Wood is now able to build and sell his houses on contract, dealing principally with the laboring class of people, who find it an advantage to be able to buy a neat and well-built home on the contract plan. His fair and honest methods make his propositions of peculiar interest to his patrons, and Mr. Wood experiences no difficulty in securing orders for as many house as he can build. He has become the owner of a considerable quantity of valuable Battle Creek property, his residence on the corner of Kendall and Grove Streets being his own property, as well as the residence next to his home. He has also acquired other city property in desirable parts of the city. He employs an average of fifteen men, and is busy the year around with is contracts. Mr. Wood is an independent thinker with regard to politics. He may always be depended upon to support the best man in any political issue regardless of politics, and his support when accorded, is valuable and appreciated. He has kept well out of politics in the years of his residence in Battle Creek, and although he has been solicited on numerous occasions to run for the office of alderman, he has always declined, firmly believing that business and politics cannot be mixed successfully. He is a member of Calhoun Tent No. 54 K.O.T.M., of Battle Creek, and with his family, is a member of the Upton Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Wood is an earnest churchman, and aside from his regular church duties as a member of the board of trustees, he has charge of a class of forty boys in the Sunday-school. On November 1, 1894, Mr. Wood was united in marriage with Miss Allie A. Nees, at Athens, Michigan. She is a daughter of W.M. and Celestia (Ward) Nees, who came from near Marborough, Ohio, and settled in Athens, where the father was employed as a tinsmith. Previous to that he had been engaged in the hardware business as the proprietor of a store, and at one time taught school in Alliance, Ohio, and in Uniontown, that state. He died in Battle creek on February 14, 1911, and his widow resides with her daughter, Mrs. Wood. The latter was born in Marborough, Ohio, and when she was about eight years of age her parents moved to Schoolcraft, Michigan, where she attended school until she was about sixteen, finishing in Bellevue, Eaton county, Michigan, after which her parents moved to Athens. The Wood family occupy a warm place in the hearts of their many friends and acquaintances in this city, where they are well and favorably known, and where Mr. Wood's business standing is wholly consistent with his high character and general uprightness." Obituary from Battle Creek Moon-Journal, Tuesday, January 4, 1927, Page 9 "Wiiliam Wood Dies--William Duane Wood of 224 South Kendall St., passed away at Nichols Hospital last night at 11:20 o'clock. He was 54 years of age and is survived by his wife, Alice, and six brothers, Walter Wood, of Washington Heights; Fred, of Watervliet; Arthur, of Colon; Bert, of Camp Custer and Ernest and Murton, both of Battle Creek. Funeral services wil be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Upton Avenue M.E. Church, conducted by Rev. W.M. P. Jerret. Burial will be in the Athens Cemetery." Obituary from The Enquirer & Evening News, Tuesday, Jan 4, 1927, page 12 "William Duane Wood--William Duane Wood, 54, died at Nichols Hospital, Monday night at 11:30 o'clock. He is survived by his wife Alice, 224 Kendall, six brothers, Walter of Washington Heights, Fred of Watervliet, Ernest and Merton of Battle Creek, Arthur of Colon, and Bert of Camp Custer. The funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Upton Ave. Methodist Church, with the Rev. W.M.P. Jerrett in charge. Burial will be made in Athens cemetery."
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