California Biographies, Santa Cruz County.
HIRAM JACOB WOOD. 

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

Source:
History of Santa Cruz County, California 
Pacific Press Publishing Company
San Francisco, Cal. 1892
By E. S. Harrison 

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

HIRAM JACOB WOOD. 

Old Father Time has brought many changes to Watsonville since first Mr. Wood established his home in this then vil- 
lage, almost forty years ago. An unattractive hamlet, crude in architecture and barren of adornment, met the eyes of the 
few visitors whom the search for homes or the demands of business brought hither. In the transformation wrought dur- 
ing the passing years Mr. Wood has borne his part. The contribution that lie has made to material advancement is 
of especial value, by reason of the fact that as a contractor and builder he has introduced needed changes in architecture 
whereby the style of building has been brought into harmonious relationship with the climate. While utility has not 
been made secondary, greater prominence has been given to the artistic element in building. As a result the architecture 
of Watsonville and the surrounding valley elicits the warmest encomiums from those whose delightful privilege it is 
to visit the city. 

New York City is the native home of Mr. Wood and June 21, 1847, the date of his birth. The family comprised but 
two children, the elder being John W., who died in 1868, at the age of twenty-five years. The father, Abraham Chase 
Wood, a native of Orange county, N. Y., and for some years an employe of an ice company in New York City, came to 
California in 1853 and engaged in mining for some years. In 3858 he became interested in ranching in Monterey county. 
Next he engaged in the teaming business in Watsonville and also did a large business in breaking colts, for which work he 
had a special aptitude. While living in Monterey county in 1861 he became a Mason, while before he left New York he 
had identified himself with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His death occurred in Watsonville in August of 
1900, at the age of seventy-six years and six months. A year before he died he had lost his wife, Charlotte A. (Robin- 
son) Wood, who passed away at the age of seventy-two years and six months. 

It was on the 31st of December, 1856, that Hiram Jacob Wood, with his mother and brother, arrived in San Fran- 
cisco, where they for a time made their home and where he attended the public schools, later learning the trade of a 
carpenter. From 1868 to 1872 he worked at his trade in San Juan, and during November of 1872 he removed to Wat- 
sonville, where he worked as a carpenter under James Waters. At the expiration of four years he began to take 
contracts for building. The first house that he erected stood on the east side of the plaza and is now owned by S. H. 
Fletcher, but was built for Jerome Porter. The fine workmanship noticeable in the Moreland Notre Dame Academy 
is due to his conscientious labors during the filling of the contract. The Spreckels residence in the town of the same 
name was erected by him, also the John T. Porter building, as well as banks in Watsonville and Gilroy, and residences 
m these two cities, also at Salinas and other places. At various times he erected houses for himself, but these were 
sold to other parties, and he had now completed for his family a commodious house on Jefferson street. Many car- 
penters have been furnished employment by him during the busy times and he has taken pride in the prompt filling of 
all contracts. 

While devoting his attention closely to the building business, Mr. Wood has neglected no duty falling upon a pro- 
gressive citizen. Helpful to local enterprises, he has been quick to respond to appeals for aid in cases where the ob- 
ject to be attained was without question one of value to the growth of the place. Under the new city charter he was 
elected a member of the board of aldermen and has given faithful service in that position for a number of years. His 
marriage united him with Annie, daughter of Asa Ross, of Santa Rosa, a native of Missouri. They are the parents of 
five children, namely: Jesse C, a plumber by occupation and married to Carrie B. Judd, of Watsonville; Lottie B., a 
teacher by profession who died January 17, 1907; Annie May, wife of H. L. Towle of San Francisco ; Estella H. ; and 
Leona Gertrude, at home.