STEPHEN THOMAS WOOD,
Son of Samuel G. and Amanda (Gish) Wood, of Roanoke county, was
born in that county on April 24, 1847. He is the grandson of Rev.
Stephen Wood, who was a distinguished citizen of Franklin county,
Virginia, where he served for many years in the offices of magistrate
and high sheriff. Although only eighteen years of age when the war
between the States was ended, the subject of this sketch had then seen
one year's service, in Griffin's battery, Hardaney's battalion, 2d corps,
Army of Northern Virginia. His parents still live in Roanoke county,
his father now 70 years of age, his mother aged 63 years. In 1873 he came
to Lynchburg, and was first engaged as book-keeper for a grocery firm.
For the past twelve years he has been connected with the People's
National Bank, for which he is teller. In Lynchburg, November 20,
1878, Rev. A. C. Bledsoe officiating, he married Emma, daughter of
Robert and Mariah L. (Thurman) Mays. She was born in Lynchburg,
March 8, 1853. Her father died on October 19, 1884, aged 69 years; her
mother is still living in Lynchburg at the age of 70 years. The record
of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Wood is: Stephen Hervey, born October
28, 1879; Mariah Louisa, born February 7, 1881, died March 8th
following; Robert Gilbert, born September 30, 1882; Alice Latham,
born September 10, 1886.
