Micajah Ellsworth Wood

The Payette Independent
Thursday, April 09, 1925

M. E. WOOD PASSES AWAY

ENTIRE COMMUNITY MOURNS THE TAKING AWAY OF ONE WHO HAD BEEN HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM

It was with bowed heads and saddened hearts that the citizens of Payette learned last Thursday night that the grim reaper had called from this life our beloved neighbor and fellow-citizen, M. E. Wood, of the firm of Wood & Spaulding. Although it had been known that Mr. Wood's condition was precarious and word from St. Luke's Hospital at Boise, where he had been taken, was not the most reassuring, none were prepared for the sad news of his death.

For some years Mr. Wood has not been in the best of health and a short time ago a complication set in which necessitated an operation. He passed through the ordeal all right, but it was found that a second operation would be necessary. Although he improved rapidly, and seemed strong enough to stand the strain he failed to rally a second time and his spirit took it's flight as he lay surrounded by his loved ones who had kept vigil during the hours of suspense and fear.

Micajah Ellsworth Wood was born at Woodsfield, Ohio, January 23, 1863, and passed away April 2, 1925, at the age of 62 years, 2 months and 9 days. In 1890 he located in Kansas and taught music and other branches in the Westmoreland high school, becoming principal of that school a year later. In 1893 he was married to Miss Martha Spaulding and moved back to Ohio, where he taught school for a time and then served several years in the office of the county recorder.

In 1899 Mr. and Mrs. Wood returned to Kansas and located in the college town of Manhattan. Mr. Wood forming a partnership with his brother-in-law, L. W. Spaulding, and engaging in the fancy grocery business. They sold out in November, 1902, and moved with their families to Payette, and opened up in the hardware and furniture business, the partnership which was formed back in Kansas 26 years ago, continuing to the time of his death. The firm, by reason of honest business methods and courteous treatment of the trading public, prospered and the business has grown until the Wood & Spaulding Hardware stands as one of the leading business institutions of southwestern Idaho.

As a citizen, M. E. Wood stood in the front ranks and the loss to the community is irreparable. Of a cheerful disposition, kind and courteous to all and ever ready to lend a helping hand whether great problems effecting the welfare of the community were to be solved or an act of charity was needed, he made warm and lasting friendships and gained a place in the hearts of his fellowmen which it is the privilege of few to enjoy. Even in his last hours of suffering he bore his pain without a murmur and had a smile of good cheer for all about him. Men of his noble characteristics are few and it is sad indeed that the world is to know his good deeds no more.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church Sunday afternoon, and the sermon was preached by Rev. Hall, pastor. The large gathering of friends, many who had known Mr. Wood for more than 20 years, and numbers from remote sections of the community many and beautiful floral offerings, were wonderful tributes to the esteem in which he was held. It is said to have been the largest funeral gathering in the history of Payette. He was a member of the Masonic lodge, being a Knight Templar, a Knight of Pythias, a Modern Woodman and a Woodman of the World. These all turned out in large numbers while the Masons were in charge of the services. Interment took place at Riverside Cemetery.

To his good wife and sons, Ronald and Garde, who survive him, and were with him in his last hours, the Independent extends most heartfelt sympathy. They will miss his loving and genial companionship, but the memory of his deeds of love and mercy, his lofty ideals and his high standing among his fellowmen will ever remain with them as beacon lights along life's pathway.

Payette Enterprise (Thursday, April 09, 1925)

PROMINENT MAN LAID TO REST

It is with a great degree of sadness that the Enterprise is again called upon to record the death of another beloved citizen, a man who has filled an important place in the community, in social and business affairs. His passing from this life leaves a vacancy in many paces in the community that will be keenly felt.

While it was generally known for the past two weeks that M. E. Wood, who was taken to a Boise hospital in a critical condition was not expected to recover. When the message came that he had passed away a cloud of gloom passed over the entire community. The sad news was rapidly spread which brought forth many expressions of deep regret. Mr. Wood was a man who refrained from making public his good deed, but they were many. He took an active part in almost every public enterprise and his work was efficiently done. He was one of the first to be called upon to assist in community affairs, and the last to refuse. No matter what he was called upon to do he did it willingly and pleasantly. Kindness was his motto in all his dealings with the public. His first thought seemed to be, to do unto others as he would wish to be done by. We believe it can be truthfully said, Mr. Wood never spoke ill of any one, but was charitable to everyone. Mr. Wood was a member in good standing in the Knight Templar Mason and all requisite bodies thereto, K. of P. Lodge No. 51, Modern Woodman and Woodman of the World.

Micajah Ellsworth Wood was born in Monroe County, Ohio, January 23, 1864, and departed this life at Boise, Idaho, April 9, 1925. Age 61 years, two months and 17 days. He remained in Monroe County, Ohio where he grew to manhood, and after graduating from Scio college of that state, he became a teacher in the public school, continuing his work for six years. He then came west to the state of Kansas, where he engaged as superintendent of the Westmorland high school for four years. He was united in marriage to Martha Spaulding at Westmorland, Kansas, May 11, 1893, and immediately after, Mr. and Mrs. Wood returned to the state of Ohio, where Mr. Wood was engaged in the county auditor's office for a term of six years, moving at that time back to the state of Kansas, where at the city of Manhatten, 27 years ago the firm of Wood and Spaulding, first started. After remaining in business at that place four years, Mr. and Mrs. Wood, together with Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding and their families came to Payette, arriving here in November, 1902, where Mr. Wood and Mr. Spaulding were again engaged in business.

Besides his wife, Mr. Wood is survived by two sons, who are both married and were with him during his last illness, Ronald of Provo, Utah, and Garde of Butte, Montana. He is also survived by three brothers and one sister, Will and Mason Wood of Deer Park, Washington; Jake Wood, who resides in Ohio and Mrs. Will Rist, who lives at Shady Side, Ohio. The two brothers and a nephew, Ellsworth Wood of Deer Park were present at the funeral, also a sister-in-law, Mrs. Jes Clark of Midvale.

The funeral of MR. Wood was held last Sunday afternoon at the Methodist church of this city. The body lay in state at the family home from 10 o'clock a.m. until 2 o'clock p.m., under guard of uniformed Knights Templar sentries. Many of his friends and brother Masons there viewed the remains.

At 2 o'clock p.m. the body was taken in a cortege of uniformed Knights Templar and Masons and Knights of Pythias to the Methodist church, where Rev. V. E. Hall delivered the funeral address. The casket sat in a huge mound of the most beautiful flowers and ferns. The church was crowded, neither standing space being available and hundreds were turned away.

Appropriate music was furnished by an all-Masonic male quartette, consisting of Bert Dunnuck, J. H. Helman, H. E. Duel and Calvin Keller. Knights Templar sentries stood guard at the casket during the services. The funeral address by Rev. E. V. Hall was exceptionally entertaining and instructive and generally conceded to be a masterpiece of its kind. The services were brief whereat perhaps the largest cortege ever assembled in this locality, accompanied the remains to the Riverside cemetery where the interment services were conducted by A. E. White and A. B. Moss, Jr., under the auspices of Washoe Lodge No. 28, A. F. & A. M. of which Mr. Wood had been a faithful and honored member.

The grave, banked with beautiful flowers, was surrounded by a row on row of relatives, Masons, Knights Templar, Knights of Pythias, friends and others who, despite the terrific wind gladly accompanied the remains of their relative, friend and brother to his last resting place.