Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Wood, Hester J. (Haight) February 11, 1910
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Nan Wheaton wheaton1624@yahoo.com June 13, 2014, 3:35 pm

Belding Banner - Thurs. Feb. 24, 1910

Mrs. Hester J. Wood

Dies at Age of 93 Years – Was One of the Grand Old Pioneers

Mrs. Hester J. Wood died at the residence of her son, Marshall Wood, in this 
city Friday, Feb. 11, at the ripe old age of 93 years and 6 months.

She was born in the city of New York Aug. 11, 1817, the daughter of Marvel G. 
Haight, who moved to Michigan in 1834 and settled at Saline when Hester was 17 
years old. On Feb. 27th she married John Wood and soon after both of them 
joined the Baptist church, being baptized in the Saline river, and from that 
time until her death she lived a consistent Christian life.

In the year 1840 they moved to the county of Ionia and purchased a farm near 
what is now the city of Ionia, but what at that time was a primeval forest, 
except for a few log houses on the present site of that city. At about the same 
time John Wood’s father moved on to a large farm which he had purchased at what 
is now Wood’s corners.

Eight children were born of this union; five boys, Marvel E., John L., William, 
Marshall J., Judson C.; and three girls, Helen I., Mary J. and Addie E., of 
whom Marvel E., Judson C., Mary J. and Marshall J. are now surviving. The 
oldest son, John L., enlisted during the war of the rebellion in the 21st 
Michigan regiment and died while in the army.

In 1865 the husband, John Wood, died, leaving his wife alone to rear and 
support the younger children.  She never remarried, but remained on the farm 
for some time, keeping her family together until they were old enough to 
support themselves.  During the last years of her life she made her home with 
different members of her family.

Mrs. Wood, although nearing the century mark in years, had a strong 
constitution and a clear memory which would have been surprising in one much 
younger than she. Until almost her last hours her mind was as clear as though 
the events of eighty or eighty-five years ago were those of yesterday. She 
would talk for hours concerning the incidents of her early life and the 
experiences of the pioneer days of New York state and Michigan. Better than 
all, however, her years had not only been many, but they had been so lived that 
her life was one worthy of emulation by all. 

After the funeral at Ionia her remains were laid at rest in the cemetery.





Additional Comments:
Certif #7
Dau of Marrel Haight & Jane (Linch)
Oak Hill Cemetery


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