Harvey Wood - Bishop Post, G.A.R.

Harvey Wood, actually William Harvey Wood, was born in 1840, which meant he was at a prime age to fight when the Civil War came along.  He enlisted into the 25th Ohio Infantry, Company A, on October 6, 1864, and he served a one year term, mustering out on October 6, 1865.  He did suffer some kind of infirmity, but the handwriting could not be read on the 1890 Veterans' Census to determine its nature.  

Harvey joined his company and regiment in Fort Pulaski, Georgia in October, 1864.  From there, the company attached to the 3rd Separate Brigade and headed to South Carolina where they led an expedition against the Charleston and Savannah railroads, hoping to keep supplies out of the hands of the Confederates. One of their most important battles was the Battle of Honey Hill where the regiment had 150 men wounded or killed.  Harvey would have taken part in the occupation of Charleston toward the end of the war.

After he returned from the war, he married the 15 or 16 year old Sarah E. White on July 4, 1869.  In the 1870 Federal Census, they lived in Pleasant Township, Henry County, near New Bavaria.  Harvey, 28, worked as a farmer with a personal estate of $300.  Sarah was then 17, and they had Cora, 5 months old.  

By 1880, they had moved to 435 Court Street in Defiance where Harvey had a job as a laborer.  He, Sarah, 27, and Cora, 11, had welcomed a new brother, Harvey Webster, called "Webb," 2.

The daughter, Cora Wood, age 20, married Columbus Edward Kindig, age 19, on June 7, 1890.  The marriage did not go well, as in October, 1895, Edward (as he was known) filed for divorce.  The Defiance Evening News reported on October 29, 1895, on page 5:

"WANTS A DIVORCE

Edward Kindig Becomes Weary of the Tie that Binds.

Edward C. Kindig has become tired of the tie that binds, and has begun suit in probate court against his wife, Cora, for divorce.

He alleges that they were married in this city, June 7, 1889, and have no children.  He has always conducted himself towards her as a dutiful husband, but notwithstanding this fact, she has for a long time been an inmate of a house of ill fame, and is now known as a public prostitute on the streets.  He prays for an absolute divorce.  Enos & Johnson are his attorneys."

No other information could be found on Cora, searched with her maiden name or married name.  It is known that she died in February, 1898, only because her family put a thank you in the newspaper for those who gave condolences upon their daughter, Cora's, death.  No obituary could be located in any state for her.

In 1900, the family was enumerated without Cora at 816 Perry Street.  Harvey, 60, was a day laborer and owned his home free and clear.  Sarah was 45, and she reported she had two children and two living. However, the children listed were Webb H., 22, day laborer, and Grace, 15, at school.  Was Cora completely disowned and not reported as a child born to Sarah? 

Son, Webb, and the Sherriff accompanied Sarah Wood to the Toledo State Hospital where she remained until her death in 1937.

Webster married Julia Houck, daughter of Gottlieb and Henrietta (Smith) Houck, on December 14, 1904.  He was a toolmaker, 27, and Julia was 26.  So, just Grace, 19, and Harvey were left in their home.  Neither Webb nor Harvey nor Grace could be found in the 1910 census.  However, it is known they were in Defiance as Harvey was injured at work that year, as the Defiance Crescent-News reported on May 19, 1910:

"Harvey Wood, an employee of the American Steel Packaging Company, sustained severe burns to his left hand.  Wood was working with his hand immersed in naptha, and got too close to an open light causing the fluid to explode."

Grace Gladys Wood remained single and cared for her father until his death on October 17, 1917, at the age of 77.

Grace then went to live with her brother, Webb, and his wife, Julia.  She was enumerated with them on the census of 1930.  She was employed as a saleslady in the Uhlman store which was once in Defiance, until her death on February 27, 1937, at the age of 47..

Grace's mother, Sarah White Wood, also died in 1937, in December at the Toledo State Hospital.  The Crescent-News ran her obituary on December 21, 1937, on the front page.

"MRS. SARAH WOOD, LONG ILL, EXPIRES IN TOLEDO, AGED 84

Mrs. Sarah E. Wood, 84, widow of Harvey W. Wood, died in Toledo Hospital at 11:55 p.m. Sunday, following an illness of many years.

The body was brought to Smith Brothers funeral home here where services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday with Rev. H. W. Shepfer in charge.  Interment will be in Riverside cemetery.

Mrs. Wood was born in Defiance county, March 25, 1853, and spent the major portion of her life in Defiance and vicinity.  She was married to Mr. Wood in 1868.  Her husband died in 1917.

Surviving are a son, H. W. Wood, 706 Clinton street.  A daughter, Grace, preceded her in death."

Harvey Webster Wood was left - more on him next time.

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(This is part of a series on Civil War veterans of Defiance County who were part of the G.A.R., Bishop Post, that headquartered in the city.  Formed in 1879, the post was named after a local man, Captain William Bishop, Company D, 100th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Army who died as a result of wounds received in battle.  The veterans' photos are part of a composite photo of members that has survived.  If you have other information or corrections to add to the soldiers' stories, please add to the comments!)