Wood, Charles G. (Charles Gilbert), 1867-1946

Charles G. Wood was born on Feb. 23, 1867 to Joseph Wood and Elizabeth Ann Slater. As a young child, Charles's family moved from Huntsville, Utah to Austin, Nevada, to Lewiston, Utah, and eventually settled in Trenton, a small community in Cache Valley, Utah. Charles entered Salt Lake Academy in September of 1886. Charles graduated from the Academy in June of 1889, and the following fall he attended Amherst College in Massachusetts. Upon graduating from Amherst, Charles headed back west and took a teaching position in the Trenton school district. He would eventually become a member of the school board. Charles was also a farmer and served on an irrigation committee to bring water to Trenton. During his life, Charles also served as the first mayor of Trenton in 1919, and served in the Utah state legislature as a House Republican from 1921-1926. Charles was married to Letitia Alice Litz, also a native of Utah from Lewiston, on November 23, 1898. They would eventually have five children. Charles died in Logan, Utah on December 27, 1946.

From the description of Charles Gilbert Wood papers, 1889-1938. (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 71127900

Joseph Wood, Charles's father, was born near Nauvoo, Illinois, but emigrated westward in 1845, eventually setting in Huntsville, Utah in 1860. Charles G. Wood was born on February 23,1867 the second child of what would eventually be ten children to Joseph Wood and Elizabeth Ann Slater. As a young child, Charles's family moved from Huntsville to Austin, Nevada to Lewiston, Utah and eventually settled in Trenton, a small community in Cache Valley, Utah.

Charles entered Salt Lake Academy in September of 1886. While enrolled he worked odd jobs around campus to earn extra money. Charles graduated from the Academy in June of 1886, and the following fall he attended Amherst College in Massachusetts. While at Amherst, Charles was active in the local YMCA and was a member of the Congregational Church. In 1893 he gave a talk to the YMCA on the topic of "Mormon Boys." That same year he was Vice President of his graduating class. Charles Wood was the only student in his class from Utah, and apparently the only one from west of Missouri.

Upon graduating from Amherst, Charles headed back west and took a teaching position in the Trenton school district. He signed a contract on September 9, 1893, earning $40.00 per month. He would eventually become a member of the school board. Charles was a also a farmer and served on an irrigation committee to bring water to Trenton. During his life, Charles also served as the first mayor of Trenton in 1919 and served in the Utah State Legislature as House Republican from 1921-1926.

Charles was married to Letitia Alice Litz, also a native Utah from Lewiston, on November 23, 1898. They would eventually have five children. The childhood home of Letitia Litz was placed on the historic register for Utah in the 1970s. Charles died in Logan, Utah on December 27, 1946.

From the guide to the Charles Gilbert Wood Papers, 1889-1938, (Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives)