Biographical Sketch of Benjamin Ladd WOOD (1904); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris . *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** "Historical Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Chester and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania", Vol. 2, edited by Gil- bert Cope and Henry Graham Ashmead, Lewis Publishing Company, New York, 1904, pp. 374-5. "BENJAMIN LADD WOOD, now retired from the active pursuits of a business career and in the full enjoyment of the ease and comfort which should always follow years of ceaseless toil and activity, belongs to that class of energetic and industrious men who have left their impress on the indus- trious men who have left their impress on the industrial history of their times. He was born in Steelville, West Fallowfield township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, November 8, 1834, a son of Thomas and Massey Wood. "Thomas Wood, father of Benjamin L. Wood, was born about the year 1808, and was the son of John Wood, who in turn was supposed to be a son of Thomas Wood. Thomas Wood (father) was reared and educated in his native township, and by his own ability and indomitable industry made for himself a successful career and accumulated a competence for his declining years. He was the original shipper of the Chester White pigs, delivering them to all parts of the country. He was assisted by his son, Benjamin L. Wood. He was twice married, his first wife having been Massey Lamborn, to whom were born the following named children: Dr. Eliza Jane, born in 1832, became the wife of Henry Armitage, a prominent resident of Damascus, Ohio; Benjamin Ladd, born in 1834, and Amos, who died in childhood. After the decease of his first wife, Mr. Wood married Sarah Coates, and their chil- dren were 1. Lydia, wife of Jesse H. Brinton and mother of four children, namely: Charles M., Laura, Almatina C., and Estelle Brinton. 2. Ellis P., married Rebecca W. Martin, and their children are: Walter T., born in 1872 and Mary E., born in 1876; 3. Eleanor, deceased; 4. Philena C., wife of David W. Jackson, and they are the parents of two children: Lindley C. and Elizabeth Jackson. 5. Morris T., married Margaret Weldon, and their chil- dren are: Leila M. and Elizabeth H. Wood. "Benjamin L. Wood, eldest son of Thomas and Massey Wood, attended the common schools of the neighborhood, where he acquired a practical educa- tion, which prepared him for the activities of life. He was a farmer by occupation, conducting his operations on an extensive scale, and by care- ful management and giving personal attention to every detail was enabled to derive a goodly income from his broad acres. His first location after starting on his own account was a farm of one hundred and ten acres, which was located in West Fallowfield township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, and which he purchased from Jacob Good, Esquire. Here he erected a com- plete set of buildings and operated same until 1865, when he removed to Doe Run. He was a resident of that town until the spring of 1883, when he removed to Cedar county, Iowa, and from that year until 1899 was engaged in agricultural pursuits. he then returned to Chester county, Pennsyl- vania, and in 1902 erected a fine modern residence in Avondale, where he is now residing. He is a member of London Grove Grange, No. 63. "Mr. Wood has been married three times. His first wife, Annie C. (Wilson) Wood, bore him one child, Gertrude M. Wood; his second wife, Louisa M. (Fawcett) Wood, a native of Ohio, bore him two children, Anna F. and Mabel S. Wood; his third wife was Mary Martin, a daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Buffington) Martin. The latter was born June 22, 1813, a daughter of Joseph and Amy (Beaumont) Buffington, the former named having been born August 19, 1783, a son of Joseph, born June 21, 1759, and Hannah (Fling) Buffington, whose marriage occurred August 20, 1781; the death of Joseph Buffington occurred in July, 1841. The following children were born to Joseph and Amy (Beaumont) Buffington; Hannah F., born June 22, 1813; Elizabeth Gilpin, born January 19, 1815; Sarah T., born April 3, 1817; Joseph M., born November 6, 1818; Ruth Anna, born July 24, 1820, and Ann M., born July 31 1822. Mr. Wood is a birthright member of the Society of Friends, in which organization he has always taken a deep and abiding interest."