Rush Brevard Wood

b. 6 March 1882, d. 25 April 1939

Rush Brevard Wood, 1882-1939

  • Rush Brevard Wood was born on 6 March 1882 in Phelps, Walker County, Texas.
  • Solomon and Mattie Wood and their children posed for a photograph in 1893.
  • A photographic portrait was made of Rush Brevard Wood as a young man.
  • Solomon William Wood and Martha Clarana Reed appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Anderson, Grimes County, Texas. Other members of the household included Rush Brevard Wood, Henry Campbell Wood, Walter Warren Wood, Homer LeGrand Wood, Ella Lynn Wood, Solomon William Wood Jr. and Elizabeth B. Hurst. It is worthy of note that birth information for the entire family is extraordinarily inaccurate.
  • He was working on the farm, according to the 1900 census.
  • He and Claudia Gertrude Bay obtained a marriage license on 22 December 1900 in Grimes County, Texas.
  • He married Claudia Gertrude Bay, daughter of John Edwin Bay and Stacy Scott Teague, on 23 December 1900 in Dolph (later Fairview), Grimes County, Texas.
  • Rush Brevard Wood was Grimes County Commissioner, Precinct 2, from 1908 to 1912.
  • Rush Brevard Wood and Claudia Gertrude Bay appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Grimes County, Texas. Other members of the household included Mary Eula Wood, Henry Campbell Wood and Claude Irvin Wood.
  • He was a farmer, according to the 1910 census.
  • Clem Teague and Rush Wood were photographed in front of the Richards State Bank, about 1910. One of the gentlemen in the center was Jessie Daniel Bookman.
  • Members of the Haynie and Wood families, and some neighbors, were photographed in front of "the Haynie hotel" in Richards, about 1911.
  • John Edwin and Stacy Scott Teague Bay were photographed with their children and grandchildren during 1915 in front of "the Bay hotel" in Richards.
  • Rush Brevard Wood registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 in Grimes County, Texas, while living with Claudia in Richards, and employed there as a farmer.
  • Rush Brevard Wood and Claudia Gertrude Bay appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Richards, Grimes County, Texas. Other members of the household included William Boyd Wood, Walter Warren Wood, Solomon William Wood, Martha Clarana Reed, Henry Campbell Wood, Claude Irvin Wood and Myrtle Ernestine Bay.
  • He was a farmer, according to the 1920 census.
  • A photograph was taken, about 1922, of Rush Brevard Wood, his uncle "Big" Rush, and cousin Goree Wood and his sons Sam Madeley and Goree Jr.
  • Rush Brevard Wood was Grimes County Clerk 1929-1932.
  • Rush Brevard Wood and Claudia Gertrude Bay appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Anderson, Grimes County, Texas. Other members of the household included Henry Campbell Wood.
  • He was county clerk, according to the 1930 census.
  • Caught in a snapshot: Claudia Bay Wood, Isabel Haynie LeNorman, Mary Louise Easley, and Gertrude Wood.
  • Gertrude was Rush and Claudia's youngest child.
  • Rush Brevard Wood died on 25 April 1939 at age 57 in Richards, Grimes County, Texas, . His death was officially witnessed by Claude Irvin Wood.
  • His wife Claudia Gertrude Bay became a widow at his death.
  • He was interred at Fairview Cemetery, Grimes County, Texas, near Richards.
  • The following appeared on 26 April 1939 in The Eagle: Funeral services were held at Richards Wednesday afternoon for Rush Wood, well known Grimes county citizen, who died Tuesday, and were attended by a large number of relatives and friends. He was a scion of a pioneer Grimes county family, which has been active in the affairs of the county since before the Civil war.
         Mr. Wood served as county clerk for two terms and after he retired from office, which his father [sic], the late R. C. Wood, had held in his day, operated a store in the western outskirts of Anderson on the highway to Navasota. Later he moved to Richards.
         Mr. Wood is survived by members of his immediate family and also by several brothers and sisters and other relatives.
  • The following appeared on 27 April 1939 in The Eagle: Mrs. Lee J. Rountree and Miss Edith Siddall went to Richards, Grimes county, Wednesday afternoon and attended funeral services for Rush B. Wood, who passed away Tuesday night. The services, held at the home, were conducted by Rev. E. S. Brawner, pastor of the Methodist church of Richards, and Rev. Joe E. Wells, pastor of the Methodist church at Anderson.
         Mr. Wood was 57 years of age, and born in Phelps, Walker county. He came to Grimes county with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Wood, when but eight years of age. He is survived by his wife, who was Miss Claudia [B]ay, whom he married in 1900; two daughters, Mrs. N. A. Jones and Miss Gertrude Wood; two sons, H. C. Wood and Irvin Wood; three sisters, Mrs. C. B. Easley, Mrs. Ira Haynie and Mrs. Lynn Cecil, all of Richards; four brothers, S. W. Wood of Iowa Park, H. L. Wood of Memphis, Tenn., H. C. Wood of Willetts, Cal., and Walter Wood of Richards; and three grandchildren.
         Pallbearers were: J. F. Bay Jr., Joe Haynie, L. G. Wood, Carroll Kennard, C. B. Teague and Edwin Bay. Interment was in the Richards cemetery.
  • The following appeared on 27 April 1939 in The Eagle: We have lost another of our good friends, Rush B. Wood of Richards, Grimes county, who passed away on Tuesday night and was buried on yesterday. Friend Wood was ill only a few hours. While he had not been well for some time, yet he wasn't thought to be in a serious condition. After the evening meal he went to bed to rest, and when found by his family a few moments later he had passed away. One never had a better friend than Rush Wood. Possessed with the highest type of honesty, that of being just and fair with his fellow man, his memory will live imperishably in the minds and hearts of those who knew him best. . . . Possessed of a pleasing personality and the ability to make friends, he held an important place in the civic, political and business affairs of Grimes county. Beloved by all Grimes county citizens, he will be greatly missed from the walks of life. . . .
  • The following appeared on 28 April 1939 in the Harlingen Valley Morning Star: (Edcouch) Mrs. J. M. Cellum received a message Tuesday night telling of the death of Rush Wood her brother-in-law, age 57, who died at his home near Houston following a short illness. Funeral services were to be held Wednesday afternoon. The deceased is the father of Irving who made his home here several years ago with his aunt, Mrs. Cellum and family.
  • A single grave marker identifies the graves of Rush Brevard Wood and Claudia Gertrude Bay.
  • Last Edited: 14 Jan 2017

Family: Claudia Gertrude Bay b. 30 January 1885, d. 7 June 1963