HENRY CLINTON WOOD was born in Scott County at Pleasant Hill, the old Wood homestead about three miles east of Gate City. He was the son of James 0. and Elizabeth Godsey Wood. He spent most of his life in his native county. He received his early elementary training in the private schools of his county and then entered Fall Branch Seminary, a school then offering a liberal course in the higher branches of learning for that day.
When the Civil War came on, H. C. Wood organized a company in the county, which became part of the 37th Virginia Infantry Regiment. Captain Wood’s company participated in the battles of Cross Keys, Port Republic, Gains’ Mill, and Cold Harbor. At Gains’ Mill, Col. S. V. Fulkerson fell mortally wounded. His death made necessary a readjustment of the officers of his regiment. Capt. Henry Clinton Wood was made Major, and J. H. (Harvey) Wood, his brother, was promoted to the position of Captain. Major Wood was present at, and participated in, forty-two engagements, varying in magnitude from the battle of Cross Keys to the battle of Gettysburg. He was wounded in the battle of Chancellorsville, but lost little time from his command. His was an excellent record in the Army. In military as in civil life he was very popular, making friends wherever he went. His military service was rendered in the Stonewall Jackson division of the confederate Army. Upon leaving for the War, the ladies of his county presented him with a silk flag. At the Battle of Gettysburg, he captured a Federal flag. These two flags were preserved, and highly prized by him.
A number of political honors came to Major Wood. He was recognized as a prominent leader in his party for many years. He served two terms in the Senate of Virginia, and was Speaker of that body for the years 1881 and 1882. In 1885, he was the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor on the ticket with John S. Wise, but was defeated. In 1892, he was a candidate for Congress, but was defeated.
On his return from the War, Mr. Wood engaged in a successful mercantile business. He was prominently identified with the development of southwest Virginia. He labored a number of years in the endeavor to bring a railroad through his native county. He was the first president of the South Atlantic & Ohio Railway, which now owns the Appalachian Division of the Southern Railway.
He moved from Gate City to Bristol in 1891, and spent the remainder of his life in that city. He there became connected with numerous and important business enterprises. He made large contributions to the business and industrial development of his section.
He was a Mason, an Elk, and a Steward in the State Street Methodist Church of Bristol. He was never married. He was born February 15, 1836, and died December 8, 1909. He is buried in the East Hill Cemetery, Bristol, Virginia.
WOOD INFLUENCE ON SOME COUNTY GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES
The Commissioners who made the division of the county gave the names of magisterial districts of the county. Mr. S. L. Cox, a member of this Commission, once told the author that Maj. Henry Clinton Wood, another member, did most of the naming; that Powell District was named for Ambrose Powell; that Taylor District was named in honor of the Taylor family; that Estillville District was named for the county seat; that Fulkerson District was named in honor of James and Abraham Fulkerson, influential early settlers of that section; that Johnson District was named in honor of the Johnson family; that Floyd was named in honor of Governor Floyd; that the naming of his own district was left to him (S. L. Cox); that in his search for a name he remembered his lifelong friend, Tandy Flanary, who by some chance bore the nickname “Dekalb,” and that he named his own district Dekalb, in honor of his friend.
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Hi Pat,
Attached is a photo for your web site of my Uncle, Henry Clinton Wood. Below is some biographical information associated with Maj. Henry Clinton Wood, that I have assembled through the years.
Your friend & Cuz,
Great bio of Henry Clinton Wood. You know Henry had four brothers and all four served in the Civil War. Although Henry never married or had children, his brother Martin Birney Wood (some people refer to him as Martin Bird Wood) , named his son, Henry Clinton Wood II , in his brother’s honor. Henry II studied at the Virginia Military Institure and his bio, as well as his picture, are at that web site.
And, while your at it, go to the “Documenting the South” web site and download the digital copy of James Harvey Wood’s book ” The War”.
Your not the only Wood Family member out there William, or is it cuz?
Elaine (Wood) Jenkins laniew91@verizon.net
Hello Ms. Jenkins,
I came across your post on this site while researching Henry Clinton Wood and his brothers.
I recently purchased a Civil War era revolver with the following engraving: T P Wood, 35 Nicholas St.
Bristol, Tennessee. I have been trying to discover who this gun could have belonged to by that name
in Bristol which led to the Wood family and the four brothers who all served the Confederacy. Is it possible that T P Wood is a nickname for one of your family members? Then there is the question of
the Nicholas St. address, which is a street name that does not seem to exist, at least now, in Bristol.
If you can shed any light on these issue it would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
John Lutsch
Here is a great little tidbit I found recently http://tennevaguy.tripod.com/id3.html. It’s the story of Jonathan Logan Wood’s Drug Company in Bristol, Virginia (picture included!). Jonathan Logan Wood was Henry Clinton Wood’s second cousin once removed. Jonathan Wood and Nancy Davidson were Henry Clinton Wood’s G Grandparents and Jonathan Logan Wood’s GG Grandparents.
Enjoy, Elaine (Wood) Jenkins laniew91@verizon.net
I am a great granddaughter of Jonathan Logan Wood, Sr. My mother, Mary Margaret Wood, was born in Bristol, Virginia and was the daughter of Jonathan Logan Wood, Jr. She lived in Roanoke, Virgiia from 1948 until her death in 1990. Her brothers and stepmother still live in Bristol, Tennessee.
I am a great granddaughter of Jonathan Logan Wood, Sr. who had the Wood Drug Company in Bristol and Wood-Nickels Grocery in Roanoke, VA. My mother, Mary Margaret Wood, was the daughter of Jonathan Logan Wood, Jr. She was born in 1929 and lived in Roanoke VA until she passed away in 1990. Her brothers and stepmother still live in Bristol.
Carolyn,
Logan Wood, Sr. was a first cousin of my Grt Grandfather, John Alexander Gray of Elliott County, KY. I would like to know more about your branch of the family. Please email me at ClarkGray@yahoo.com.
Thanks
My name is William Martin Wood Jacobsen. My grandfather William M.Wood with his brother in law Emmet Nickels owned the Wood Nickels store on State St Bristol.My Grandparents (Elizabeth Lee Owns)lived at 229 Solar St. Buried at Glenwood Cem. between Bristol and Johnson City.All of my Mothers (Sara Kathleen Wood ) family is buried at that place.My wife (Katherine Akans)of Granger County Tn.and I have chosen this place for our final resting place.I have been trying for some time to look up the Wood family tree. w.Jacobsen@aol.com
Hello Wood Family,
I am researching a Civil War revolver with the engraving: T P Wood, 35 Nicholas St., Bristol, Tennessee
The gun is also marked 1863 and is a very ornate, European made revolver, and would have been an expensive gun at the time. Most likely an officer’s weapon. I have been trying to find out who T P Wood
is and came across the Wood brothers and family of Bristol, TN. Possibly T P is a nickname for one of them?
Any help you can offer would be most appreciated.
Thank you.
John Lutsch
lutschjohn@gmail .com