Merced County Biographies

JESSE DALLAS WOOD

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
        Occupying a position of prominence and influence among the citizens of 
Merced is Jesse Dallas Wood who, since 1920, has occupied the important position 
of mayor of the city. In 1906 he was elected city clerk of Merced and at the end 
of his term of two years was reelected and served until 1920, when he was 
elected a city trustee and appointed by the board as chairman, which carries 
with it the office of mayor; he was reappointed again in 1922. He is esteemed 
for his worth as an earnest, practical business man and a citizen who has always 
manifested the greatest interest in the general welfare of the community in 
which he has resided for so many years. He is a native Californian, born in 
Sonoma County, October 9, 1877, a son of M. D. Wood, whose sketch may also be 
found in this history. While still a lad, Jesse Dallas Wood accompanied his 
parents to Merced and in this thriving city he received his education in the 
grammar and high school; then for one year he was connected with a wholesale 
house in San Francisco. He returned to Merced, where since 1899 he has been 
associated with the Balfour, Guthrie Company, first as a bookkeeper; and rising 
steadily he became their local agent in 1907, which responsible position he 
still holds.
        In 1900, Mr. Wood was united in marriage with Miss Daisy Ansley, born in 
San Francisco, and educated in the schools of San Francisco and Merced. Two 
children have been born of this union. Jesse Shirley is a student at the 
Stanford University, Palo Alto, Cal.; and Marjorie is in the high school in 
Merced. Since 1912 Mr. Wood has been the junior member of the draying firm of 
French & Wood, conducting a successful hauling business in Merced and vicinity. 
In politics Mr. Wood is a stanch Democrat; fraternally he is a member of the 
Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World, and Native Sons, and he 
belongs to the Chamber of Commerce of Merced. He is vitally interested in the 
welfare of his community and spares no effort to aid in its growth and 
advancement along all lines. Personally he is pleasant and genial, with a fine 
regard for the feelings of others, and he has many friends who esteem him highly 
for his genuine worth.
 
History of Merced County, California � Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 1925
page 688-689