Published as it appeared on Sept. 19, 1890, in the Corvallis Gazette, Page 1, Column 5.
OBITUARY.—Rev. Jesse Wood was born March 24, 1804, in Pendleton county, Virginia, and died September 8, 1899 (1890), of heart disease, at the home of his son-in-law, G.G. Newton, near Philomath, Benton county, Oregon, aged 86 years, 5 months and 14 days. He was a member of the M.E. church for over seventy years, having been converted in early life. He filled acceptably the offices of steward, class leader, exhorter and local preacher. His parents were pious and all his brothers were preachers. The names of Revs. Aaron, Enoch, Moses and Wesley Wood were well known among the early itinerants of Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois. They are all gone to their reward except Moses. Jesse’s was a pioneer life, from the cradle to the grave. He helped to open the way for settlements and the church across the continent. His parents moved from Virginia when he was only a child. Here he grew to manhood and married his first wife, Rachel Chenoweth. From this union three children were born. In 1833 this wife died. The next year in Illinois he married Margaret Henkle. From this marriage there were twelve children. At the time of his death his descendants, some of whom had passed away, were as follows: 15 children, 59 grand children, 36 great-grand children and 2 great-great-grand children. In 1839 he moved from Illinois to Iowa, and in 1853 to Oregon. The next year he settled in Benton county where he has since resided. His home was always open to the pioneer and the itinerant. He was a kind and obliging neighbor, a true friend, a faithful husband and fond parents. His second wife, in extreme feebleness, and many descendants survive him. In this bereavement, “their loss is his gain.” A large number attended the funeral of “Father Wood” thus showing the esteem in which he is held. The text was “Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his.” A good man who has lived long and well has gone to his rest and reward. H.P. Satchwell.