James Wood

Background

James Wood was born on November 12, 1839, in Mount Kisco, New York, United States. He was a son of Stephen Wood and Phoebe (Underhill) Wood.

Education

In his early years, Wood attended Reynolds Academy in Bedford, New York, as well as Westtown School in Pennsylvania, where he studied in 1850-1851. In 1854, James entered Haverford College, where he studied for three years until 1857. While at Haverford College, he was the editor of the "Collegian" and president of the Henry Society. In 1883, Wood received an honorary master's degree from Haverford College.

Wood continued to be a student throughout his life, with wide interests in many fields, especially in all branches of Agriculture and in History and Anthropology.

Career

As for Wood's farming activities, he was an expert farmer, horticulturist and sheep-raiser, who worked on his extensive farm near Mount Kisco. He also served as president of the Bedford Farmers' Club and was sought for throughout the state as a lecturer on agricultural subjects.

During his lifetime, Wood traveled extensively in Europe and on the American continent. Having a deep interest in History and Archaeology, he lectured frequently on both subjects, wrote many historical brochures on local historical topics and was president of the Westchester County Historical Society from 1885 to 1896.

Besides, James took an important part in the founding of the New York State Reformatory for Women (present-day Taconic Correctional Facility) in Bedford Hills and was president of its board of managers from 1900 to 1916. It was during that period, that he was recognized as a leader on prison reform and on methods of correction.

Among Wood's many interests, the Bible and religion were extremely important to him. He gave much time and thought to the promotion of the circulation and study of the Bible. From 1893 until his death, Wood was chairman of the Westchester County Bible Society. In 1903-1911, he acted as vice president of the American Bible Society, where, from 1911 to 1919, he was president, and from 1919 to 1925 - president emeritus.

James was a Quaker, who devoted much of his time to the spiritual concerns and the public work of the Society of Friends. He studied Quaker history and was a recognized interpreter of Quaker ideals and polity. From 1885 to 1925, Wood was presiding clerk of the New York Yearly Meeting of Friends. In 1887, he also presided over the General Conference of Friends, held in Richmond, Indiana, and was clerk of the Five Years Meeting in 1907.

In 1893, Wood was chosen to present the views and ideals of the Society of Friends at the parliament of religions, held at the time of the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. His address was published under the title "Our Church and Its Mission" (1894). In 1898, James wrote a pamphlet on The Distinguishing Doctrines of the Religious Society of Friends, which had a wide circulation. On the two-hundredth anniversary of the New York Yearly Meeting of Friends, he prepared an historical review of the two centuries of Quakerism in that state.

James' services to higher education in America were extensive and important. He was an influential manager of Haverford College from 1885 until his death. He was elected a trustee of Bryn Mawr College in 1887 and served several terms as president of the board before his resignation in 1918.

In addition, Wood was one of the founders of the "American Friend", Philadelphia weekly.

Achievements

• James Wood was a man of broad interests. He gained prominence as an expert farmer and horticulturist, who authored many papers on agriculture and kindred subjects. Also, Wood helped to found the New York State Reformatory for Women (present-day Taconic Correctional Facility) in Bedford Hills and became known as the leader on prison reform and on methods of correction.
  
  Besides, Wood was one of the most outstanding leaders and a spokesman of his own church - the Society of Friends. During the period from 1855 to 1925, he served in many capacities with several Quaker organizations. His roles included serving as the presiding clerk of the New York Yearly Meeting of Friends, the president of the General Conference of Friends in 1887, chairman of the Westchester County Bible Society from 1893 to 1925, vice president of the American Bible Society from 1903 to 1911, the 14th President of the American Bible Society from 1911 to 1919 and president emeritus of the same society from 1919 to 1925. Wood is remembered as someone, who served his church on a national and world level, as well as in his own community.

Works

More photos

• book

  • The Distinguishing Doctrines of the Religious Society of Friends 1898

Religion

Wood descended from a long line of Quaker ancestors in both branches of his family and his major life-interest was in the spiritual concerns and the public work of the Society of Friends.

Politics

Wood unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 1886.

Connections

James married Emily Hollingsworth (Morris) Wood on June 6, 1866. Their marriage produced three children - Ellen M., Carolena M. and Levi Hollingsworth. Emily, Wood's wife, passed away in 1916.

According to the American Bible Society, James' grandson, also named James Wood, followed his grandfather, graduating from Haverford College in 1950, serving as a trustee of Bryn Mawr College and as President of the American Bible Society from 1984 to 1989.

Father:

Stephen Wood

Mother:

Phoebe (Underhill) Wood

child:

Ellen M. Wood

child:

Carolena M. Wood

child:

Levi Hollingsworth Wood

late wife:

Emily Hollingsworth (Morris) Wood

Grandson:

James Wood