Biographical Sketch of

Robert Boyle

Transcribed by Suzanne Folk for the Marquette Co WI Pages



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 379 - 380


Iram H. Wood is a respected farmer of the town of Green Lake, residing on section 5, he having made his home in 
Green Lake County since 1850, covering a period of almost forty years. He was born in Berkshire County, Mass., 
Sept. 1, 1821, and is descended from good old Revolutionary stock. His paternal grandfather, Lemuel Wood, who 
engaged in farming in the Bay State, served in the Colonial Army for seven years. He married Nabby Blaisdell, 
and on the farm where they began their domestic life, they passed their declining years, dying at the advanced 
age. The maternal grandfather, Isaac Horton, followed agricultural pursuits, in the same community in which Mr. 
Wood lived, and he, too, served throughout the entire Revolutionary War.

The parents of our subject were both natives of Berkshire County, and were acquaintances from childhood up. On 
reaching years of maturity their friendship ripened into love and they were joined in wedlock, beginning their 
domestic life on a farm near the homes of their childhood. In 1826 they started for Lewis County, N.Y., but on 
the way Mr. Wood was taken sick and died in Montgomery County. The mother with her only child, Iram, who was 
then about eighteen months old, went to Oneida County, N.Y., where she had relatives living. She kept her boy 
with her until he was able to do for himself, and gave him the best opportunities for education that she could 
afford. After living a widow for many years she married Edmund Clark, by whom she had two daughters. Her last 
days were spent in the home of her son, she dying in 1888, at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years. She was 
a member of the Baptist Church and the father of our subject was an Episcopalian.

Iram H. Wood spent his early life in his mother's home, but after attaining his majority, in the spring of 1816, 
we find him en route for Wisconsin, where he hoped to carve our a fortune for himself. His first employment was 
at wood-chopping, for which he received twenty-five cents per cord. The first season he was afflicted with chills 
and ague and was forced to return to New York to regain his health, but in 1848 he again came to the West, and 
on the 6th day of November procured for himself a helpmate in the person of Miss Nancy Cullings,. a native of 
Albany County, N.Y., born March 10, 1827. Their marriage was celebrated in McHenry County, Ill. Her parents, Hugh 
and Mary (Ten Eyck) Cullings, were also born near Albany, N. Y., from whence they removed to Milwaukee in 1847, 
settling in this county the following year, where the husband died at the age of seventy-eight years, his wife 
at the age of seventy-seven. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Wood has been blessed with two children-Frances E. and 
George E. The former became the wife of Z. D. Hollenbeck, now a resident of Sioux County, Iowa. She died in 1885, 
leaving a family of four children: George, John, Ethel and Guy. The latter married Hannah Bazeley and has two 
children now living, Agnes M. and Margie A. Myron the second child, died in infancy. The father of these children 
died Nov 29, 1889.

Mr. and Mrs. Wood began their domestic life in Rock County, Wis., but in 1850 came to Green Lake County. The first 
year he spent as a farm hand and then purchased forty acres of timber land, the purchase price being $200. He 
constructed his own furniture, and though crude it served the purpose. He lived in true pioneer style, but says 
those are among the happiest days of his life. Although Mr. Wood has never accumulated great wealth, he has acquired 
a comfortable competency, and now owns and operates a good farm of eighty-three acres. At one time it comprised 133 
acres but he gave fifty acres to his son. He cast his first Presidential vote for Cass, and since that time has been 
an ardent supporter of the Democratic party. He has held the office of Side Supervisor for two terms, and is accounted 
one of the worthy citizens of the town. His wife, who is a most estimable lady, holds membership in the Methodist 
Church. During the long years of their residence in this county they have won many friends who hold them in high 
regard. Their home is the abode of hospitality and sociability, and their numerous acquaintances are sure of a warm 
welcome.






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