Wood, Joseph (1811 - 1890)
Businessman and Politician
Early Life
Joseph Wood was a pioneer businessman and politician born in Camden, NY. He moved west in 1836, and then to Wisconsin in 1848, settling in now Wisconsin Rapids. There he farmed, established a lumber and mercantile business and speculated in real estate.
Political Career
Wood was a Whig and later a Republican, he was commissioner of state lands from 1848 to 1852 and was state assemblyman in 1856. While serving in the assembly, he promoted a bill to divide old Portage County into the counties of Portage and Wood, which was approved in March, 1856.
Achievements & Late Life
He was elected the first county judge of Wood County in 1856 and served from 1857 to 1858. After retiring from politics about 1858, Wood devoted the rest of his life to his business interests in Wisconsin Rapids and Wood County.
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[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]