Asa Wood
Asa Wood, farmer, P.O. New Milford, was born in Independence Township, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, August 13, 1821, son of Silas and Phila Wood, natives of New York State and Massachusetts respectively. Silas Wood's parents emigrated from the State of New York about the year 1809, and settled in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, coming all the way from near Utica, N.Y., by water in a small boat, following the rivers and lakes to Buffalo, on Lake Erie. They traveled by water as far as rivers and lakes would permit, and then would take their boat out of the water and hire it carried by team over land to the next river or lake that lay in their route, and so on until they reached Buffalo; then they came by Lake Erie to Cleveland, Ohio, keeping close to shore all the way, running on shore at night and camping on dry ground; then came up Cuyahoga River by boat to the mouth of Tinker's Creek, in Independence Township, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio. Here they settled and commenced to clear off the heavy timber, so that they might have farms to cultivate. At this time the country was full of Indians, and men when they went out to work took their guns with them to be ready against sudden surprise on part of the Indians, which might happen any moment. Phila Wood's parents came from Franklin county, Mass., soon after the war of 1812, traveling all the way with horses and wagon. They settled in Independence Township, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio. Silas and Phila Wood (the parents of Asa Wood) were married and lived in Independence Township, Cuyahoga County, until the death of Silas Wood, which occurred January 20, 1825. His widow afterward married George Leach, of Northfield Township, Summit Co., Ohio, and lived there until her death, which occurred July 15, 1881. George Leach died February 17, 1870. Asa Wood, our subject, was married June 3, 1841, to Ruby E. Rose, born in the town of Canton, St. Lawrence Co., N.Y., August 5, 1822. Her parents, Daniel and Polly Rose (long since deceased), moved from Canton, St. Lawrence Co., N.Y., and settled in Bedford Township, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, in the year 1833, coming all the way with horses and a covered wagon. Asa and Ruby Wood, after they were married, lived in Little York, Northfield Township, Summit Co., Ohio, until April, 1872, when they moved to Rootstown Township, Portage Co., Ohio, purchasing of Rolland Hough the old William Holcomb farm, containing 124 acres, where they still reside. Asa Wood went to California in 1853 gold digging, and returned in 1856, since when he has followed farming ever since. To Asa and Ruby Wood were born four children: Josiah, Maria, Marilla and Frank, all living except Maria, who married Cassius Chamberlin, moved to Cass County, Mo., in 1872, and died February 7, 1873, aged twenty-eight years. Marilla Wood married Francis Loughery, and at present resides at Marshalltown, Iowa. Frank Wood married Miss Maggie Bohloer, of New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, and at present lives in South Cleveland, Ohio. Josiah Wood lives in Rootstown, Portage Co., Ohio. Asa Wood and wife are members of the United Brethren Church at New Milford.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885