JOHN T. WOOD.

JOHN T. WOOD, the proprietor of the Iola Horse and Mule Market, was born in Edgar county, Illinois, on the 13th of May, 1865. His father became a resident of that county in 1845, and taught the first school within its borders. For some years he was identified with educational interests there and also was prominent in public affairs. He held some county offices, and was widely and favorably known throughout Edgar county. In his business affairs he prospered and having gained a comfortable competence was well able to start his son in business, but possessing a commendable spirit of self-reliance, John T. Wood resolved to make his own way and show to the world that a young man could gain success without assistance. In the family were three sons, of whom our subject is the middle. The first owns and operates a stock ranch in Reno county, Kansas, and the younger brother, Walter Wood, has a farm in Allen county. The brothers are all men of sound business sagacity and great traders.

In the common schools John T. Wood acquired his education and was early trained to habits of industry upon his father's farm. It was therefore with a practical experience of agricultural labors that he came to Kansas, but with no capital. He arrived in the state in 1887 and entered upon his business career here by working for fifty cents a day. He afterward attended the Normal Institute and obtained a teacher's certificate. For nine years he performed the labors of the school room and was regarded as a very capable educator, but the natural tendency of the family began to strongly assert itself and abandoning the teacher's profession he took up his abode upon a farm, raising, buying and shipping stock. He is an excellent judge of stock and his efforts in this direction have been attained with prosperity. From time to time he has made judicious investments in real estate until his landed possessions now aggregate five hundred and thirty acres in Elm township, constituting a well improved farm.

In December, 1891, Mr. Wood was united in marriage to Miss Blanche Allen, a native of Michigan, who in 1880, accompanied her parents on their removal from Chicago to the Sunflower state. Mr. and. Mrs. Wood now have two children: Roscoe and Edna, aged respectively seven and six years. As every true American citizen should do Mr. Wood keeps well informed on the political issues of the day, and believing that the platform of the Republican party contains the best elements of good government, he gives to it a loyal support. He has held the office of trustee in Elm township, but seeks not public office, preferring to devote his energies to his business affairs. He has always depended upon his own resources and his life record illustrates most forcibly what can be accomplished through determined purpose and indefatigable energy, when guided by practical business sense.

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