Anson S. Wood facts for kids

Anson Sprague Wood (born October 2, 1834 – died August 21, 1904) was an American lawyer and politician from New York State. He was known for his work in law and his service during the American Civil War.

Anson Wood's Early Life and Education

Anson Wood was born on October 2, 1834, in Camillus, New York. His parents were Alvin and Fanny Woodworth Wood.

In 1842, when Anson was about eight years old, his family moved to Butler. He went to school at the Red Creek Union Academy. In 1853, he started studying law in an office in Syracuse. For the next two years, he taught school in the winter. During the summers, he continued to study law in Clyde with different lawyers.

He then went to Albany Law School in 1855. Later that same year, he passed his exams and became a lawyer. This meant he was "admitted to the bar" and could officially practice law.

Starting His Career

In January 1856, Anson Wood opened his own law office in South Butler. That March, he was chosen to be the school superintendent, which meant he helped manage the local schools.

In July 1856, he moved to Lyons. There, he joined a law firm with two important politicians: William Clark, who was a state senator, and DeWitt Parshall, who was an assemblyman. He worked with them as a lawyer until September 1862. He was also elected as the town clerk twice, helping with official town records.

Service in the Civil War

In August 1862, during the American Civil War, Anson Wood joined the army. He became a first lieutenant in Company D of the 138th New York Infantry Regiment. This regiment later became the 9th New York Heavy Artillery Regiment.

He quickly moved up in rank:

• In March 1863, he became an adjutant, which is an officer who helps with administrative tasks.
• In June 1863, he was promoted to captain of Company M.
• In January 1865, he was transferred back to Company D.
• In February 1865, he was promoted to major.

At first, Wood was sent to Elmira. There, he helped with gathering new soldiers and served as an assistant adjutant general. This role meant he helped a general with important paperwork and orders. In May 1864, he asked to return to his fighting unit.

He served on General James B. Ricketts' staff in October 1864. After General Ricketts was badly hurt, Wood continued to serve on General Truman Seymour's staff as a judge advocate. This role meant he acted as a lawyer for military legal matters. He went back to his regiment when he became a major.

After the war ended, he left the army in May 1865. He had earned the honorary rank of lieutenant colonel. He fought in several important battles, including the Battles of Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Monocacy, Winchester, and Fisher's Hill.

After the War and Political Career

After the Civil War, Anson Wood bought a farm in Butler. In 1866, he was elected as a town supervisor. A town supervisor is like the head of the town government. From 1867 to 1869, he worked as an assistant assessor for the U.S. Internal Revenue, helping to collect taxes.

He later moved to Wolcott and started practicing law again. In 1869, he was elected to the New York State Assembly as a Republican. He represented the 1st District of Wayne County. He served in the Assembly in 1870 and 1871.

In 1872, he was appointed as the deputy Secretary of State of New York under G. Hilton Scribner. This is a high-level government job, helping the Secretary of State manage official records and elections. He held this job for two years, then went back to practicing law in Wolcott.

In 1879, he was again appointed deputy Secretary of State of New York, this time under Joseph B. Carr. He stayed in this position for six years. In the 1885 New York state election, he ran for Secretary of State of New York as the Republican candidate, but he did not win.

After losing the election, he practiced law in Albany for a year. Then, he returned to Wolcott and worked with lawyer George S. Horton. He lived in Port Bay. He also served as the president of the village of Wolcott, a trustee for the Wolcott Union Free School, a justice of the peace (a local judge), and a town supervisor for Huron.

Family and Community Life

In 1858, Anson Wood married Martha Louise Vickery from Youngstown. They had two sons, William Clark and Robert Alvin.

He was very involved in his community. He helped organize and lead his local group of the Grand Army of the Republic, which was an organization for Union Civil War veterans. He also served as an assistant quartermaster general and commander for the state department of this group. He was also a member of the Freemasons, a fraternal organization.

Death

Anson Sprague Wood passed away at his home on August 21, 1904. He was buried in his family's plot in the South Butler cemetery.