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HOMER S. WOOD
Homer S. WOOD, the efficient postmaster of Independence, to which
office he was appointed in 1916, is widely and favorably known in this
section of Oregon, where he has spent the greater part of his life.
He is a native of Oregon, his birth having occurred at Brownsville, in
Linn County, December 30, 1877. His parents, John H. and Addie E.
(SPERRY) WOOD, are natives of Missouri and of Brownsville, Oregon,
respectively. In 1875, when a young man of twenty years, the father
started across the plains with ox team and wagon for Oregon as a
member of a band of emigrants and on reaching this state settled at
Brownsville, where for twelve years he followed the carpenter's trade.
Since first coming to Oregon he has made two trips to the east but has
always returned to his home in the northwest, having great confidence
in the future of this section of the country. Following his residence
in Brownsville he removed to Albany, where he remained for two years,
after which he spent a short time in Portland. He then went to
Hardman, Oregon, and for two years engaged in the raising of sheep,
subsequently resuming work as a carpenter, following his trade at
Heppner for two years, after which he went to Arlington, Oregon, and
there conducted a furniture business until 1898. In that year he took
up land in Gilliam county, Oregon, which he cleared and developed and
to which he has since added by purchase being now the owner of over
nine hundred acres of valuable and productive land, upon which in 1920
he raised a wheat crop which netted him forty thousand dollars. He
has been very successful in the conduct of his business interests and
is classed with the substantial and progressive agriculturists of his
part of the state. He has taken an active and prominent part in
political affairs and in the '90s was the democratic candidate for
state representative from his district but met defeat at the polls.
He is now seventy-four years of age and his wife has reached the age
of sixty-five. They have a large circle of friends who entertain for
them the highest regard and respect.
Their son, Homer S. WOOD, was reared at Arlington and there attended
the public schools, later pursuing a three years' course in the Oregon
Agricultural College at Corvallis, but previous to this had been
employed for five years in the depot at Arlington, where he learned
telegraphy. In 1901 he took up a homestead in Gilliam county but
after proving up on his claim he sold it to his father. Subsequent to
his graduation from college he became connected with the firm of
Balfour, Guthrie & Company, acting as their wheat buyer in Oregon and
Washington. He remained in the employ of that company for a period of
eight years and then purchased sixteen acres of land near Vancouver,
Washington, which he continued to cultivate until 1909. In that year
he removed to Independence, where he began work at the carpenter's
trade, which he had learned in young manhood, and was active as a
contractor and builder until 1916, when he was appointed by President
Woodrow Wilson to the office of postmaster of Independence and is now
serving in that capacity, his term of office expiring in 1924. He is
proving most capable as a public official, discharging his duties
promptly, faithfully and efficiently. He is also cultivating
twenty-two acres of land adjoining the city, of which twelve acres are
devoted to the growing of hops, and he likewise is engaged in raising
pure bred white Leghorn chickens, his residence being within the city
limits. He is leading a busy, active and useful life and his
enterprise, diligence and determination have been potent factors in
the attainment of the prosperity which he now enjoys.
On the 20th of July, 1902, Mr. WOOD was united in marriage to Miss Eva
ROBINSON, a daughter of Asa V. and Angie (OSBORN) ROBINSON, the former
a native of Kentucky and the latter of Oregon. The father came to
this state about 1849, settling in southern Oregon, where he resided
for several years and then removed to Independence. Here he engaged
in the drug business and successfully conducted his store for many
years, passing away in 1915, while the mother's demise occurred three
years later, or in 1918. Mr. and Mrs. WOOD have become the parents of
three children, namely: Winona, aged seventeen, who is a student in
the State Normal school at Monmouth; Dorothy, who is fourteen years of
age and is a high school student; and Dale, aged twelve, now attending
the public schools.
Mr. WOOD gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and in
religious faith is a Baptist, while fraternally he is identified with
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Rebekahs, the Eastern Star,
and is also a Chapter Mason. He is regarded as one of the leading
citizens of the community in which he makes his home and his
progressiveness has been a potent element in its continued
development.
History of Oregon, Biographical, Vol. II, The Pioneer Historical
Publishing Company, 1922, Pages 232-233.
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