O IN MEMORIAM. 



General Wood removed to Fitchburg in the year 1850, hav- 

 ing been elected the year previous, while residing in Gardner, 

 the first President of the Rollstone Bank. 



While residing for a few previous years in Gardner, to which 

 place he removed from Providence in 1843, he was a partner 

 with Levi Hey wood, Esq., engaged extensively in the manufac- 

 ture of chairs, and holding meanwhile the position of a Director 

 in the old Fitchburg Bank. 



Before his removal from this State he was honored by his fel- 

 low citizens with several public trusts, having been chosen a 

 Delegate to the National Democratic Convention which nomi- 

 nated the President and Vice President of the United States. 



After his return, in the years 1851 and 1852, he represented 

 this Senatorial District, in the Senate of Massachusetts, with 

 marked ability and devotion. While holding this office, the well 

 remembered contest to elect Charles Sumner to the Senate of 

 the United States occurred, and it was well known and con- 

 ceded at the time, that no single individual, except perhaps 

 Henry Wilson, who was President of the Massachusetts Senate, 

 exercised so commanding an influence to shape the result as 

 'General Wood. 



While Gen. Wood was President of this Society he made 

 successful eftbrts to place our finances on a good foundation, 

 enabling us to draw the full bounty of the Commonwealth, equal 

 w^ith the older and more favored Societies, and mainly through 

 his exertions, one hundred and fifty-six names were added to 

 our list of members. 



His character was marked -with unflinching honesty, and 

 devotion of purpose, united with uncommon courtesy, and these 

 fully symbolized by a commanding personal presence, and added 

 to these, rare conscientiousness in the discharge of every duty 

 — adding his testimony when brought to the dying hour, " That 



