Ellerbe English Wood

b. 4 November 1887, d. 16 January 1968

Ellerbe English Wood, 1887-1968
  • The following appeared in the Lake Shore News (Wolcott, N.Y.) The entertainment given in the joint classes' course at Leavenworth hall on Tuesday evening was by Miss Ellerbe Wood, a reader, who presented "The Country Cousins." This is a clever play in four acts, with five leading characters, and illustrates the acumen of an accomplished farmerette, who saves a young cousin from the wiles of a scoundrelly city father and incidentally rescues a dude from nonentity and sends him off to the wars with a heart filled with love and longing. There is much clever dialogue in the play, which Miss Wood handled well, altogether pleasing the large audience and giving them a number of laughs.
  • Ellerbe English Wood was born on 4 November 1887 in San Saba County, Texas.
  • Campbell Wood and Ann Hall Mitchell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in San Saba County, Texas. Other members of the household included Ellerbe English Wood, Elizabeth Augusta Wood, Annie Laurie Wood, Campbell Ella Wood, Mary Lou Wood and Campbell Wood Jr.
  • The following appeared on 14 November 1903 in The Lampasas Leader: Mrs. Campbell Wood, of this city, passed away, in Houston, on Monday, Nov. 10, 1902, at 8 a.m. Mrs. Wood has been a great sufferer for many months, and at her earnest entreaty she was carried to Houston early in October, Miss Bessie Chism, of this city, kindly accompanying her, and where she was met by two of her daughters and other relatives. Her death was not unexpected. Though all of the family could not be with her, three of her daughters attended and tenderly nursed her, and there were present many other relatives of the family. The interment took place at Willis, in Montgomery county, on Tuesday afternoon, where the family formerly lived before moving to this section of the state. The family have resided in this city since October, 1901, having moved from Cherokee, San Saba county.
  • The following appeared on 23 May 1909 in the Galveston Daily News: Miss Ellerbe Wood left for a visit to relatives in San Antonio.
  • The following appeared on 6 June 1909 in the Galveston Daily News: Miss Ellerbe Wood left Thursday for a short visit in Dallas and Forth Worth.
  • Campbell Wood appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, at 814 Avenue D. Other members of the household included Ellerbe English Wood, Annie Laurie Wood.
  • She was a teacher, according to the 1910 census.
  • The following appeared on 20 September 1910 in the San Antonio Light and Gazette: With drawn revolvers, two daring masked highwaymen held up an automobile occupied by W. K. Ewing, an insurance agent of this city and Misses Lottie and Ellerbe Wood, school teachers and after robbing them of some jewelry took charge of the touring car and drove away. The hold-up occurred at the brightly moonlit entrance to the grounds of the Country Club on alamo Heights about 9:30 o'clock last night. Police headquarters immediately detailed detectives on the case, who, with others scoured the city in automobiles but without avail. The masked men made good their escape and it was not until an early hour this morning that Mr. Ewing's automobile, which had been deserted by the robbers after they had used it in getting away from the scenen of the hold up, was found at the corner of Willow and Burnell streets. No trace of the men has since been found and he police have no clue to their identity. The hold-up is one of the most daring that has been reported to the San Antonio police department in many months. The machine was brought to the Country Club building, where a the Country building, where a score or more men and women sat in plain view of the hold-up men. It was a beautiful moonlit night and an out-cry from anyone of the victims would have attracted the attention of the guests at the club. Highwaymen Appear. Mr. Ewing was driving the automobile. Miss Lottie Wood occupied the front seat with him and the other yound lady was in the rear seat. The machine was moving along at a moderate rate of speed and just as the front of the automobile reached the entrance to the club grounds, the highwaymen leaped simultaneously from behind the large posts of the gate with drawn six-shooters. Each occupant of the car was taken completely by surprise. "Back up," commanded one of the robbers in a very determined and gruff voice, as the automobile was brought to a stop by Mr. Ewing at sight of the masked men. "Why certainly," replied Mr. Ewing promptly, who said that he did not seriously believe that he was in the grasp of two highwaymen, thinking that the incident was a joke being perpetrated upon him by some of his friends. When the machine was backed out of the gate, the men mounted the running boards and ordered Mr. Ewing to turn the machine into New Braunfels avenue. This was done and the automobile driven some ten or fifteen feet, when the trio was ordered out of the car by the men, who constantly kept their guns leveled at the auto party. Two rings espied by the men upon Mr. Ewing's fingers were removed by the owner at the request of the men. A ring worn by Miss Ellerbe Wood was also taken charge of by the men. The next move was the entering of the car by the robbers, one taking charge of the steering wheel and driving away at a fast rate of speed.
         As the men whirled away in the night, Mr. Ewing and the yong ladies ran to the Country Club and gave the alarm. Police headquarters was communicated with as quickly as possible and several men at the club at once entered upon a chase after the highwaymen, using the automobiles. Detectives Green and Stowe reached the scene in a machine a few minutes later and after getting in possession of the facts started out on the hunt for the men. The night's ride by the pursuers was fruitless. It was not until about 6 o'clock this morning that the automobile belonging to Mr. Ewing was located The car, a Hudson Twenty, No. 755, was found at Burnett and Willow streets, where, according to residents in the vicinity, it had been abandoned by two men about 10 o'clock last night. Residents there say that they gave o especial attention to the fact that the car was left there, being under the impression that the men were in rightful possession of the car. The men after leaving the automobile huried away, it is said, and later efforts to trace them from that point also led to a blind trail. "We were just out for a little ride and after having rode around the city a short while I drove out to the Country Club," said Mr. Ewing, today. "I was just about to enter the gate with the car when the men jumped out in front of me and with pistols drawn stopped me. Both wore handkerchiefs tied about the lower portion of their faces. They at once ordered me to back up, which I did although I could not be led to believe that the men were other than some friends of mine playing a prank upon me. After we had turned into New Braunfels avenue, the men contented themselves with relieving us of a few rings. They then took charge of the car and drove away, leaving us standing in the road. Neither man appeared to be more than 25 or 30 years old. Both were of medium build, wore dark clothes and black slouch hats. Both were white men and I believe were amateurs because they appeared so nervous in their actions." The Misses Wood reside at 107 Fourth street and teach school in the city. Mr. Ewing is engaged in the insurance business here and resides at 902 Avenue C. While Mr. Ewing at first was led to believe that the hold-up was nothing more than a trick played upon him by friends, he is now inclined to lean toward the theory that it was a genuine holdup. The police are also inclined to think it was a prank played by friends of Mr. Ewing, and believe the victims will be enlightened by their friends in the near future and the rings returned.
  • The following appeared on 28 October 1910 in the Dallas Morning News: Brilliantly beautiful is the best way to describe the San Jacinto dance of the Texas Club of New York under the presidency of Mrs. Thomas Irby of Palestine and Weatherford, given in the crystal ballroom of the Ritz. . . . Those in the pageant. . . . and last, Miss Ellerbe Wood of Llano and San Antonio, in a white robe of classic lines over which an American flag was draped, carrying an American flag and accompanied by a navy and an army officer in full uniform -- Lieut. Stanley R. Canine of Llano, formerly an instructor of the Naval Academy and now aide to Admiral Plunket of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and Col. Sample, formerly stationed at Fort Sam Houston and now stationed at Governor's island. . . .
  • The following appeared on 28 October 1910 in the Galveston Daily News: (Austin, Oct. 27) . . . The climax of the thirty-ninth annual reunion of Hood's Texas Brigade was reached today when the drapery concealing the statue surmounting the monument erected in honor of the dead of the brigade was drawn aside by Miss Lollie Wood of San Antonio, sponsor. The exercises of unveiling and dedication were witnessed by a gathering estimated at 10,000 persons. When the Texas flag which draped the sculptured figure was drawn aside the shouts of the throng mingled with the strains of "Maryland, My Maryland." Before drawing the cords which were to release the drapery, Miss Wood said:
         "In memory, honor and undying love to the gallant dead of Hood's Texas Brigade, as well as for those of the Eighteenth Georgia, Hampton's Legion and the Third Arkansas, and for those of the Fourth Texas which at Gaines' Mill was the first to penetrate the enemy's lines and pluck victory from the jaws of defeat, of the Fifth Texas which at Second Manassas, after annihilating thd Fifth New York Zouaves, passed on until victory was won, and the First Texas which at Sharpsburg held the cornfield against the Federal troops until it had lost 82 per cent of its men, it is my proud privilege to unveil this monument."
         
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    The sponsor for the occasion, Miss Lollie Wood of San Antonio, as well as her maids of honor and the local chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy, did much to make the stay of the veterans in the city a pleasant one. The maids of honor who assisted Miss Wood today were: Misses Sarah Maude Cox, Bessie Ellers, Annie Gaston, Edith Goldsteihn, Fannie Goree, May Harding, Julia Hill, Mamie Keith, Christine Littlefield, Jennie Nagle, Ellerbe Wood.
  • She married Andrew Henry Zundel, son of Andrew Zundel and Anna (?), say 1912, and they either separated or divorced prior to 1930.
  • The following appeared on 28 October 1914 in The San Antonio Light: Dr. Campbell Wood, aged 72, died Wednesday morning at 12:45 o'clock at his apartments, 314 West Carolina street. Dr. Wood was a native of Alabama, having been in San Antonio only during the last eight months of his life, although he had lived in Texas about 60 years. He was a Confederate veteran, and saw service with Hood's Brigada from Texas. He is survived by five daughters, Miss Ellerbe Wood of San Antonio; Miss Lollie Wood of San Francisco; Miss Lulu Wood of Colorado Springs; Miss Bessie Wood of Boston, Mass; Mrs. T. O. Reilly of Llano, a son, Campbell Wood of San Antonio, and a sister, Mrs. D. N. Campbell of Houston. Funeral arrangements have not been made yet, pending the advice of Dr. Wood's sister, Mrs. D. N. Campbell of Houston.
  • The following appeared on 19 November 1918 in The Brown Herald: (Providence) Y. M. C. A. Entertains Students Thursday Evening by a Reading. Miss Ellerbe Wood, a clever public reader, has been announced by the Y. M. C. A. as the attraction for Nov. 21, at 6:30, in the Union. Miss Wood is a reader of considerable reputation and has a wide repertoire of pieces. It is expected that a good sized crowd will be in attendance.
  • The following appeared on circa 13 March 1919 in Variety: An even score of entertainers are due to sail Saturday for the Overseas Theatre League to entertain the A. E. F. and indications are that the league's quota of 100 volunteers for March will be accomplished.
         A party of 33 artists is due to sail within the next two weeks. This total is exclusive of the artists sent across by the Y. M. C. A.
          This and next week's parties may be split because of the uncertainty of securing the full number of sailing reservations. For that reason this week's sailings will not be announced until next week, with no certainty of just what individuals will be able to depart Saturday.
         The "Y" succeeded in getting four of its entertainers off. They are Mrs. Nell J. Klein, Marguerite D. Smith, Nelly Todd and Ellerbe Wood. Returned "Y" people are Luck C. Main and Albert Widerhold.
          No League volunteers returned, but Will Cressey and Blanche Dayne are on their way back.
  • Ellerbe sent a postcard during World War I to her cousin Evelyn Campbell Ponton: "Have I sent you one of these? I look like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders but you shall see it just the same --. "
  • Andrew Zundel and Anna (?) appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in New Rochelle, Westchester County, New York, at 60 Anderson Street. Other members of the household included Ellerbe English Wood, Andrew Henry Zundel.
  • The following appeared on 16 December 1921 in The Kingston Daily Freeman: Miss Ellerbe Wood will be remembered by many ex-service men for her work as an entertainer of the Y. M. C. A. corps in France. With her own troupe of young women she spent a year cheering the doughboys in the overseas camps. Her service, however, did not end with the war. She has enlisted to help the unemployed ex-service men in New York.
         When "The Man Without a Country," the film-version of Edward Everett Hale's historical story, was shown in New York under the auspices of the American Legion, Miss Wood volunteered her services, and at each performance read the preamble to the constitution of the Legion and gave a patriotic reading. The proceeds from the show were used in the welfare work among jobless ex-service men.
  • The following appeared on 18 December 1921 in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Mrs. Ellerbe Wood Zundel, formerly of San Antonio, a recent member of the [Texas Club of New York], who was in New York between tours presenting programs of dramatic readings, gave a program of interesting numbers.
  • The following appeared on 19 February 1922 in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Ellerbe Wood Zundel of San Antonio recently, but born in Cherokee in San Saba County, will leave shortly for a tour of the South with several weeks spent in Texas.
  • The following appeared on 4 October 1922 in the Dallas Morning News: Elaborate entertainments for the winter program of the Texas Club of New York were outlined this afternoon at the first of the season's gatherings at the Plaza Hotel. Texas artists studying in this city will furnish numbers at the monthly gatherings, in addition to prominent visitors who have been invited to participate. Two dances are scheduled. . . Miss Ellerbe Wood in January will give a dramatic play recital.
  • The following appeared on 19 November 1922 in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: At the November meeting of the Texas Club [of New York], Mrs. Orlando von Bonnewitz presiding, and interesting program was given under the chairmanship of Miss Ellerbe Wood of San Antonio. Stuart Walker, creator of the Portmanteau Theater idea, author of many plays and especially in the limelight at the moment because of the presentation here recently of his dramatization of "the Book Of Job," spoke of "The Theater and Other things." It may be interesting to those far from the lights of Broadway to know that Walker does not think Broadway represents the highest standard of American dramatic discrimination, nor are Broadway audiences the best audiences to be found in the United States. He had already established a Portmanteau Theater in Indianapolis and one in Louisville and left directly after appearing before the Texas Club to open a third one in Cincinnati. . . .
  • The following appeared on 19 November 1922 in the Dallas Morning News: Miss Ellerbe Wood has gone to Boston, where she will give a series of play readings and attend the alumnae meeting at the commencement program of Leland Powers School, of which she is a graduate, and will later give readings [truncated].
  • The following appeared on 5 April 1925 in the Dallas Morning News: (Fifth District Federation convention to be held in Lockhart) The "fine arts" evening program Wednesday will include music and drama, and will be followed by a reception. Betty Longsker and Katherine Redmond will sing. Clara Duggan Madison will play a piano solo, the Lockhart Music Club will furnish music, and Ellerbe Wood will read a one-act play. . . .
  • Public Readings, and especially play reading is now recognized as a distinct art. Whether it be a beautiful and fascinating art depends on the ability of the artist, to vitally re-create situations, characters, and interplay of characters, with such skill and sympathetic understanding of human life that the play becomes a living reality in the vision of the audience. Miss Wood has the creative power -- this deep and sympathetic insight into human life, this beauty of imagination, which lifts her work into the realm of fine art. (From an undated program, illustrated by two photographs of Miss Ellerbe Wood.)
  • The following appeared on 5 July 1925 in the Dallas Morning News: : Miss Ellerbe Wood of San Antonio appeared in a monologue interpretation of George C. Cooke's and Susan Glasspell's "Suppressed Desires" before the women delegates to the convention of the American Institute of Homeopathy Thursday afternoon. The luncheon, which was presided over by Mrs. Orlando R. Von Bonnewitz of Sherman, took place at the Hotel Belvedere. Miss Wood is a dramatic reader comparable to Miss Ruth Draper, who has been identified with this type of entertainment longer than the Texas woman. Miss Wood is much sought for semi-public affairs. She gives entire plays, with skillful deletions, playing each role herself with naturalness and ease.
  • The following appeared on 13 December 1925 in the Dallas Morning News: Miss Bolton, formerly of Jacksonville, Texas, and more recently living in Denver, is spending several weeks in New York as the guest of Miss Ellerbe Wood of San Antonio before going abroad for a year of study in music.
  • The following appeared on 17 October 1926 in The Dallas Morning News: (New York, Oct. 16) The Texas Club of New York, under the new president, Mrs. Thomas Irby
    of Palestine and Weatherford, held the first meeting of the club year at the Hotel Plaza on Tuesday, a meeting of unusual interest attended by an unusually large number of the club members and their friends, as well as the president of the Dixie Club and the presidents of the several Southern State clubs of New York. Following the business meeting, Miss mary Howard of San Antonio gave a group of Spanish songs and Miss Ellerbe Wood, also of San Antonio, read a one-act play. . . .
  • Ellerbe English Wood appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in New York, New York County, New York, at 10 West 55th Street.
  • She was an importer for her own dress shop, according to the 1930 census.
  • The following appeared on 11 September 1932 in The San Antonio Light: Miss Bessie Wood has returned from an extended trip to New York and the New England states, where she visited her sisters, Misses Elerbe and Annie Laurie Wood. Miss Wood is now at home at 907 Maine avenue.
  • The following appeared on 29 December 1935 in the San Antonio Express: Miss Ellerbe Wood of New York City, formerly of San Antonio, is spending the holiday season here with her sisters, Miss Bessie Wood and Mrs. E. W. Riley. Miss Wood will sail from New York early in January for Paris, France.
  • The following appeared on 8 August 1937 in the San Antonio Express: Word has been received from Miss Vivian Riley, who sailed for Europe on the Normandie in June. She has made motor trips over Brittany and Normandy and was a guest at the Chateau Frotenacin Paris. She is now in London and is a guest of Miss Ellerbe Wood at the Grovesnor hotel. She will return to Paris on the Imperial airline to attend the exposition and sail for home on the Normandie in the early fall. After a visit in New York city and New England, she will return home.
  • The following appeared on 23 December 1937 in The San Antonio Light: Miss Elerbe Wood of New York and Paris, but formerly of San Antonio, and her brother, Campbell Wood of New York, are the guests of Miss Bessie Wood and Mrs. Evelyn Riley. Miss Wood and her brother will leave soon by plane for a few days in Mexico City. Upon their return East, Miss Wood will sail soon after the new year for Paris.
  • She and Annie Laurie Wood, Evelyn Annie Wood, Elizabeth Augusta Wood and Campbell Wood Jr. was mentioned in the obituary of Mary Lou Wood that appeared on 13 January 1944 in The New York Times: Mary Lou Wood, stylist for Julius Kayser & Co., knitwear manufacturers, died Monday of influenza at her home, 17 West Fifty-first Street, after an illness of a few days. Miss Wood leaves four sisters, the Misses Ellerbe and Annie Laurie of this city, Mrs. Evelyn W. Riley and Miss Bessie Wood of San Antonio, and a brother, Campbell Wood, who is an executive of the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation.
  • The following appeared on 11 April 1950 in The San Antonio Light: Misses Ellerbe Wood and Mary Jane Lightbound are arriving Saturday by plane from New York. They will spend fiesta with Miss Wood's sisters, Miss Bessie Wood and Mrs. E. W. Riley, and her niece, Mrs. E. M. Stevens. This will be Miss Lightbound's first trip to Texas.
  • The following appeared on 7 May 1950 in The San Antonio Light: Miss Ellerbe Wood, New York city, aunt of Mrs. E. M. Stevens, and sister of Mrs. Evalyn Riley and Miss Bessie Wood, with Miss Mary Jane Lightbown, also of New York, have been house guests of Mrs. Riley and Miss Wood.
         Miss E. Wood, for a period of years, has been largely interested in our international trade relations and was an observer at the UN meeting in Paris last year. She had an opportunity to go into Germany and see some of the activities of the American army of occupation.
         Miss Lightbown is assistant editor of the Architect Forum. She is visiting Texas for the first time and is particularly interested in building projects in this part of the state. She is leaving for a few days in Mexico before returning to New York.
  • The following appeared on 6 January 1959 in the San Antonio Express: Miss Bessie Wood, of 124 E. French Place, passed on Saturday at 107 E. Mulberry Ave., the home of her sister. Survivors: brother Campbell Wood of Los Angeles, CA; sisters Mrs. E. W. Riley of San Antonio, Miss Ellerbe Wood and Miss Annie Laurie Wood, both of New York City; nieces Mrs. Vivian Riley and Mrs. E. M. Stevens, both of San Antonio. Graveside service was held Monday afternoon at 3:30 at Sunset Memorial Park. Arrangements by Porter Loring.
  • The following appeared on 28 April 1960 in the San Antonio Express: Mrs Evelyn Wood Riley, of 107 E. Mulberry Ave., died Tuesday (26 Apr 1960) at her home. She was a member of Travis Park Methodist Church. Survivors are: Daughters Miss Vivian Riley, Mrs. E. M. Stevens, both of San Antonio; brother Campbell Wood, Los Angeles, CA; sisters Miss Ellerbe Wood, Miss Annie Laurie Wood, both of New York City. Service Thursday at 3:30 at the Porter Loring Chapel with Rev. Grover I. Chapman officiating. Honorary Pallbearers: Edwin Word, Henry Word, Parvin Spencer, R. C. Delevan, George Delevan, A. V. Bowers, Ted Morehouse, Dr. A. E. Boysen, James Caskey, Robert Barbee, Rolla Steen, Eric Heydenrich. Interment in Sunset Memorial Park under the direction of Porter Loring.
  • The following appeared on 3 February 1964 in The New York Times: [Died] Annie Laurie Wood, on Feb. 1, 1964, sister of Ellerbe and Campbell Wood. Service and interment private.
  • Ellerbe English Wood died on 16 January 1968 at age 80 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, at 107 East Mulberry Avenue at her residence. . Her death was officially witnessed by Vivian Nanny Riley.
  • She was interred at Sunset Memorial Park, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas.
  • The following appeared on 17 January 1968 in the San Antonio Express: Ellerbe English Wood, 107 E. Mulberry Ave., died Tuesday [16 Jan 1968]. A native Texan, she had lived here one year. Services will be at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in Porter Loring Mortuary. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park.
  • Last Edited: 17 Mar 2015

Family: Andrew Henry Zundel b. 13 July 1891, d. 21 September 1956