Memorable Manitobans: James H. Wood (1828-1906)

Journalist, businessman.

Born in Ireland in 1828, he came to Canada with his parents in 1832. At an early age, he was engaged in newspaper work at Sarnia, Ontario, and later edited the Sarnia Canadian. He moved to Woodstock where he undertook the management of The Times. He was a strong supporter of Sir John A. Macdonald. He twice contested the seat of North Oxford for the Conservatives, but was defeated each time. He participated in the Fenian Raid as Captain of the Sarnia Artillery and received a medal and land grant as reward for his services. Wood came to Manitoba in 1879 with his family and a party of settlers, and founded the town of Birtle, serving as its first postmaster (1879-1882). He moved to Montana to take up the insurance business and, about 1892, retired to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he died on 9 July 1906. He was survived by five children.

Sources:

Pioneers and Early Citizens of Manitoba, Winnipeg: Manitoba Library Association, 1971.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 24 October 2020

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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