An American Family History

Clara Fox Wood was the oldest child of John Newton Fox and Sarah Jane Ricketts. She was born in Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa on April 29, 1863.

She married Frederick Chancier Wood, who was a barber, when she was 29 and he was 42 on July 4, 1893 in Lucas County. Fred was born in July 8, 1850 in Ohio. He was the son of Nimrod Wood and Rebecca Clowser.

Fred had been married before to Anna Benson and they had three children: Jesse Wood, John Wood, and Blanch Wood.

Clara and Fred had six daughters who were all born in Iowa. Fern Wood Child was born in February, 1895. She married Frank B. Child and lived in Des Moines. They had two children Lois Shirley and Frank W. Child. Fern died in 1988.

Leah Faye Wood Duncan was born in January, 1897. She married Lyle Duncan and lived in Ottumwa. She died in 1972.

Rebecca J. Wood Kurchinski was born in December, 1898. She married Karl Kurchinski.Her children were Carl Kurchinski, Leona Lowe, and Clara Clark.

Goldie Wood Smith was born in 1902. She married Carol Smith and lived in Dallas, Texas.

Catherine Wood Johnson was born in 1904. Her first husband was Glen Marsh. Her children were Phillis Thomas and Richard March. She died in 1983.

Lois Wood was born in 1907 and passed away in 1918 at the age of eleven.

The family appeared in the 1900 census in Chariton, Lucas County, Iowa. 

At the time of the 1910 census, they were living in Fillmore County, Nebraska.

In 1920 they were living in Des Moines, Iowa.

Fred died in December, 1930 when he was hit by a car in Des Moines and Clara followed on January 24, 1934. They are buried together at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.

Former Chariton Lady Died Last Week in Des Moines
Mrs. Fred C. Wood, 73, for many years a resident of Chariton, died at her home in Des Moines on Wednesday evening, January 24. She had been in usual health and was down town on Tuesday. At an early hour on Wednesday morning she suffered a stroke of paralysis, from which she never rallied.

Funeral services were held at the Capital Hill Christian church on Saturday afternoon at two o'clock, and burial took place in Glendale cemetery.

Clara Fox was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Fox and was born in Lucas county, Iowa on April 29, 1861. She was married in Chariton Iowa to Fred C. Wood who died about three years ago.

They were parents of six daughters, one of whom, Lois, died at the age of eleven years. Those surviving are Mrs. Carol Smith of Dallas, Texas: Mrs. Lyle Duncan of Ottumwa, Iowa, Mrs.Carl Kurchinsky, Mrs. Glenn Marsh and Mrs. Frank Child, all of Des Moines: also one step-son Jesse Wood of Texas.One brother, Bony Fox of Bushyhead Oklahoma, and three sisters, Mrs. Jos. Smith of Moorcroft, Wyoming, Mrs. L L. McKilvey (sic) and Miss Orpha Fox of Des Moines and one half brother, Earl Fox of Chariton are living.

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa
Thursday, May 9, 1907

Rebecca Clowser was born September 20, 1823, in Noble County, Ohio, and died in this city, May 7, 1907, from troubles peculiar to old age several weeks ago she was severely burned but these injuries had healed and it was thought her recovery was perfect but it may have had a telling effect on her vitality which did not at first appear.

She was united in marriage to Nimrod Wood on January 27, 1849, and to them were born four sons and one
daughter, one son dying at the age of 17. Her husband preceded her to the grave, passing to the unknown world several years since.

The surviving children are Mrs. William Holmes, Fred, Isaac and J.H. Wood.

She came with her husband to Lucas County in an early day and together they carved a home out of the wilds, enduring the trials and privations of the first settlers and were rewarded in their old age with plenty. She was for more than forty years a professor of religion and ever held consistent to her faith. She bore life's trials with fortitude and has gone to a Christian's reward.

Funeral services are being held today at 2:00 o'clock p.m., conducted by her pastor, Elder D.L. Dunkelberger.