HARDIN J. WOOD. To chronicle a complete sketch of the Wood family, including their acts and enterprises, their wholesome influence on the development of Todd and Christian Counties, would be a task too great, however pleasing, to undertake in the preparation of this local history. No proper history ever can be written without mention of this important family; leaving the details of their record to be written in letters of gold in the memories of those whose good fortune it has been to know them better than the writer. In the history of Christian County it will be seen that Bartholomew Wood, in 1796, settled at the present site of Hopkinsville, where he spent his life, and of whom frequent mention is made in the history of that city. His son, Bartholomew T. Wood, was born in North Carolina, and at the time of the emigration of the family to Christian County, then just being organized, was a mere lad. His after-life was inseparably interwoven with the progress of the new county, in the history of which his portrait is preserved, and where he died in 1866. His wife was Nancy Saffarans, a native of Rockingham County, Va. She died at Hopkinsville, Ky., only a few days subsequent to the death of her husband. They reared a family of nine children, as follows: Daniel B. S. Wood, Patsey T., Hardin J., George W., Elizabeth (Taylor), Catherine (Gwynn), Cynthia (Smith), Dr. Benjamin S. and Susan V. Wood. Hardin J. Wood, whose name introduces this sketch, was born in Hopkinsville, Ky., August 6, 1821. He was there reared to manhood, and from there removed to Todd County in 1850, at which time he settled the farm on which he now lives. His early education was such as could be obtained by attending the pioneer schools common to his boyhood. He was married in Todd County, November 1, 1848, to Miss Georgiana Cross, daughter of George and Virginia Cross (nee Garth). To these parents were born eight children, viz.: George Cross, Louis Garth, Eugene, John Hardin, Willie, Nannie, Georgia Virginia, and an infant who died unnamed. Mr. Wood has devoted his life to the pursuits of the farm, and now owns a tract of 1,700 acres of valuable land in the most desirable portion of Todd and Christian Counties. For years he has been one of the most extensive farmers in southern Kentucky, having in a single year produced 75,000 pounds of tobacco. Of the upright life of Mr. Wood we will not speak in detail; suffice it to say he has never appeared as a witness in court, never sued or suffered himself to be sued, and now in his declining life he remains in the quiet seclusion of his comfortable home, awaiting the summons that will call him from the scenes of his long, useful life. The management of his extensive interests is largely entrusted to the care of his honored sons.
