James Wood collection

James Wood was born on November 12, 1839 to Stephen and Phoebe (Underhill) Wood on a farm just north of Mt. Kisco, New York. He was the youngest of seven children, and started his early religious training with his parents at Mt. Kisco. His formal education included the local Bedford Academy, the Westtown School of Pennsylvania (1850-1851), and Haverford College (1853-1857). While at Haverford, Wood was the editor of the Collegian and president of the Henry Society. Listed as a graduate of 1858, Wood also received an honorary master's degree in 1883 after he gave an illuminating course of historical lectures at the College. James Wood married Emily Hollingsworth Morris in June 1866, and fathered three children: Ellen M., Carolena M., and Levi Hollingsworth. After graduating from Haverford College, Wood's activities diversified. According to the American Bible Society's biography of Wood, he was interested in education, philanthropy, the various branches of agriculture, archaeology, history, Native American lore, anthropology, science, prison reform, and, above all, in the Bible and religion. Professionally, Wood served as president of the Genesee Salt Company in Piffard, New York. He was also committed to agricultural work, and became one of the first American breeders of Ayrshire cattle and Hampshire Down sheep, as well serving as the president of the Bedford Farmers' Club. He also served on the Board of Managers of Haverford College from 1885 to 1925 and as a trustee of Bryn Mawr College starting in 1902, and eventually becoming a board chairman from 1914 to 1918.

(Biographical Note from PASCAL, Accessed 26 November, 2018)