Owen Jason Wood is a lawyer by profession, had been a resident of Topeka since 1890, and for many years had been assistant solicitor for Kansas of The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company.
He gained his first knowledge of life in the world in the northwest corner of Indiana, in Lake County. He was born at Crown Point, the county seat, August 10, 1853. His parents were Martin and Susan G. (Taylor) Wood. His father owned a farm and represented one of the early pioneer families of Northwestern Indians and he was a lawyer by profession, and was in practice at Crown Point from 1848 until 1892. He died in 1892 und his widow is now Living at Topeka with her son Owen J. in her ninetieth year. Martin Wood was considered a man of prominence in Lake County, Indiana, and for two terms represented the county in the Indiana Legislature.
His earlier years Owen Jason Wood spent on a farm. That environment was a source of good health and of many associations which he had always prized, but the knowledge of farming gained then be had never put to further use. He attended the graded schools in Crown Point, read law in his father’s office, was admitted to the bar and also attended the law department of Indiana State University. He was graduated in June, 1876, with the degree LL. B.
After a brief practice in his native state, Mr. Wood removed to Minnesota, locating at Montevideo, where he practiced law until February, 1886. While in Minnesota he was twice elected county attorney of Chippewa County. During his second term he resigned to come to Kansas. In February, 1886, he located at Wellington, resumed private practice, but in July, 1890, came to Topeka to take up his duties as assistant attorney of the Sante Fe Railway Company. Subsequently he was promoted to his present position as assistant solicitor for Kansas.
Mr. Wood was married at Red Wing, Minnesota, November 8, 1877, to Miss Annie J. Wright, danghter of David, and Elmma (Bridgeman) Wright. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have three living children: Vida, now Mrs. Lawrence B. Cartwright of Portland, Indiana; Mabel, Mrs. Everett B. Akers, whose husband died at Los Angeles, California, in February, 1915, and she is now living with her father in Topeka: and Ruth C. Wood. Two children are deceased, one having died in infancy, while Louise died in August, 1912.
Mr. Wood had attained the thirty-third degree Honorary, in Scottish Rite Masonry and is also a Knight Templar Mason.