An active, useful life terminated last Monday in the death of John Wood, one of the oldest residents of this village, who passed quietly away early in the afternoon of his only daughter, Mrs. A. H. Gazley, in Nelson avenue.

Mr. Wood was of English parentage and was born at Lower Mitten, Worcestershire, Eng., on Aug. 17, 1814. When twenty-eight years of age he came to Cooperstown and entered the employ of the late Calvin Graves, who conducted a meat market in Lake street. In 1849 Mr. Wood went to the California gold fields, returning here about two years after and entered into partnership with David Ball. Later he was in the butcher business with William E. Cory, and afterwards put up the stone building on the north side of Main street, adjoining the “Ironclad,” where his family lived and where he conducted a first-class market. He remained in business until 1890, when he went to live with his daughter. At one time he was the owner of considerable property. From his stone quarry a mile up the lake most of the building material used in town has been taken. He also owned the tract of land down the river where the slaughter house now stands. Mr. Wood was a worthy and honorable man, veering the respect of his fellow townsmen.

He was married in 1847 to Miss Helen Almira Pope of Middlefield. She died in March, 1849, and a few years later her sister Mary A., became Mr. Wood’s second wife. The death of his second wife occurred in 1888. Besides his daughter he is survived by a sister, and two sons, William and John.

The funeral service, held Wednesday afternoon from the home of Mrs. Gazley, was conducted by the Rev. Mr. Perry, and the remains were placed in Lakewood. The pall bearers were the Messrs. B. F. and H. K. Murdock, Gabriel Tyley and N. W. Cole.