Clifton M. Wood.

Clifton M. Wood.

Birth: 1837.
Death: July 6, 1890.

Wife: Malinda Jones Wood. ( 1840-? ).

Children: Guy C., Blanch Wood.

Burial: Union Cemetery, Winfield, Cowley County, Kansas.

CLIFTON M. WOOD, stock dealer, was born in Morrow County, Ohio, in 1837; son of Reuben and Anna Wood. He was raised in Ohio. In 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Ninety-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Soon after enlisting, he was prostrated with typhoid fever. He was in the hospital at Covington, Ky., for three months. On his recovery, he was appointed Executive Steward of the Eruptive and Clay General Hospitals, and also of the Officers' General Hospital at Louisville, Ky. This position he held until the close of the war, when he returned to Ohio. In 1866, he came to Kansas, located at Cottonwood Falls, where he remained about three years. In April, 1869, he settled where Winfield now is, and built a house, which he intended for a store. It was the first building built in Winfield, and he was the first settler.

After completing his house, he returned to Cottonwood Falls for the purpose of getting goods, but soon after his departure the Indians burned his house, which proved a severe loss to him, as he had expended $500 of his scanty means to build it. On his return to Cottonwood Falls, Mr. Wood was married, June 26, to Miss Malinda Jones, who was at that time engaged in teaching school near that place. Mr. Wood, on hearing of the misfortune that had overtaken him in the loss of his house, was nothing daunted, but changed his purpose about taking his goods, but with his wife and household effects returned, reaching Winfield on the 14th of August, 1869, Mrs. Wood thus being the first white woman and bride of Winfield.

In the fall of that year, two or three families settled here, and in the following winter and spring the number was quite largely increased, and the foundation of the beautiful and prosperous city of Winfield was laid. On returning to Winfield, Mr. Wood immediately commenced the building of another house, which was the second one built at this place. From that time he has been a resident of this place, and has been active and liberal in striving to advance the interests of his adopted city. He is now engaged in the stock business. He has been a member of the City Council for two years. Mrs. Wood is a native of Ohio, a daughter of James and Maria Jones. She has borne her husband two children - Blanche and Guy C.

Ohio 96th., Infantry.

Clifton M. Wood, Corporal, Co. C., Age 25, Enlisted August 7, 1862; Transferred to 68th., company, 2nd., Battalion Veteran Reserve Corps, December 10, 1863; Died at Winfield, Kansas, July 6, 1890.  Malinda J. Wood, widow, Winfield, Kansas.