Will County ILGenWeb Biographies..... 
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File contributed for use by:
Dori Leekly & Margie Glenn

Author: History of Will County IL, 1878

Willard WOOD; P. O. Crete; the subject of this sketch is one of the oldest settlers 
of Crete; was born in Randolph, Vt., Aug. 28, 1808, and is the son of Thomas and Ruby 
(NEWLAND) WOOD; father was a native of Massachusetts; was engaged in the iron foundry 
business, and was a soldier in the war of 1812; died at Colchester, Vt.; Mr. WOOD was 
raised on a farm; studying law at Hyde Park, Vt., was admitted to the bar to practice 
law. In May, 1836, with wife and one child, started West for Illinois, via Detroit, 
Mich.; here he purchased a wagon and team, and arrived in Chicago in June, 1836; 
thence to Will Co.; here he first settled in Crete Twp., on 160 acres of land, and 
commenced farming in Will Co., and followed this business until, some thirteen years 
ago, he retired from farming. Mr. WOOD was the first Postmaster, kept the first hotel 
and taught the first school in the village of Crete; has also held several offices of 
public trust - that of Justice of the Peace about twenty years, Supervisor for two 
terms, in 1854 and 1856, and County Commissioner; in these offices, he has acquitted 
himself in a very creditable and efficient manner. Mr. WOOD is a Democrat in politics. 
Married Miss Diantha S. BOARDMAN, of Vermont, daughter of Alfred BOARDMAN, by whom 
they have had eleven children, seven living; one son in the late war - Willard S.; 
enlisted in the 8th I. V. C., and participated in some of the prominent battles; was 
honorably discharged.


Additional Comments:
HISTORY OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.