Wood & Torbert Families - Elizabeth Augusta Wood

Elizabeth Augusta Wood

F, b. 13 September 1873, d. 3 January 1959

Elizabeth Augusta 'Bessie' Wood, 1873-1959

Father: Campbell Wood b. 5 Dec 1842, d. 28 Oct 1914
Mother: Ann Hall Mitchell b. May 1850, d. 9 Nov 1902

Elizabeth Augusta Wood was born on 13 September 1873 in Austin, Travis County, Texas.
She was the daughter of Campbell Wood and Ann Hall Mitchell.
She was known as Bessie.
She and Evelyn Annie Wood, Sarah Josephine Wood and Annie Laurie Wood were enumerated in the census of 1 June 1880 in the household of Campbell Wood and Ann Hall Mitchell in San Saba County, Texas.
On 12 April 1887, Evelina Alexander Barnes wrote to William Wood Powell: Willis, April 12, 1887. My Dear Grand Son, Yours of 26 march came in due time. Was glad to hear from you & family. I came to town last Sunday Billie, Josie and Lina’s two youngest oldest children with us. I have just had a call. interruptions trouble me more now than formally. My health is as good as usual, though have not regained my strength. take some exercise every day to enable me to go round visiting a bit better – Ella is assisting Mrs. Woolridge in preparing for Maud’s wedding (the only daughter) She marries on the 14, next Thursday night. A Mr. Watson who stands well in Willis. he is a dry goods clerk in T.W. Smith’s store. Ella assisted in making ten large cakes yesterday & they are finishing them this morning. Ella’s afternoon will be devoted to icing & embossing them. she had several cakes baked here & will prepare some of the meats in her kitchen. Mrs. W. knows very little about such things. Lina has been quite sick recently – was not well when I left – I passed last Friday with her. she has a beautiful place a nice but very small house. She keeps a cook & grown nurse. Her time is taken up with out doors work. She says she is determined to raise her meat this year & sell butter enough to pay for her sewing. She can’t bear house work. She is now raising bronze turkies. they are very much larger than the other kind. has sent on for Pekin ducks. Jim A. has been in the Alliance store in Willis the last 7 weeks. He gives the farm no attention whatever, goes home Saturday nights & returns Mondays. Josie keeps Josie Lee altogether and she is a deal of trouble. her dear patient grand ma says she can not do without her. Billie has so little to do at home for the want of rain. He comes to Willis about three or four times per week. A great deal lovely weather & east wind but no rain. ground too hard to finish planting cotton, garden almost at a stand still – Billie sets out cabbage plants by watering the ground so as to pull them up & water the ground to set them out. His corn looks green & pretty but almost quit growing. Campbell writes me no rain in his county yet, he thinks of looking for a location to practice medicine. I can not see how he is to live – but will try to hope for the best. Billie went to Huntsville last Thursday. started at 5 o’clock A.M. and returned at 5 P.M. went in his buggie. He dined with Judge Randolph & Eliza. Eliza wrote me a lengthy letter by Billie. About three months she expects a little Randolph. She was 40 years old last January. Your aunt Mary Jane is going to Montgomery soon & from there to North Carolina to see Mrs. Brevard, the lady by whom she was raised. Dr. Legrand wrote Mary Jane he would foot all of her expenses. a dear good brother. Milton Wood is building a brick house with seven rooms. He is making money & saves it. he has only one child. George Wood & wife will begin keeping house now very soon. Green Aleck will remain with his father & mother I have not a correspondent in Montgomery consequently know but little of my relatives. Hope to see Annie Coxe soon & hear from Col. Powell & family. She came when I left. Lizzie Hill I hear from often, but see her seldom. She stays at home closely, has not been to see Eliza yet. I wish your three sweet daughters & Campbell’s girls, Lina’s & Ella's little red head could see each other & become acquainted. I want Lina to send you one of Willie’s pictures recently taken. How I long to see you my dear boy and your sweet wife & children. I sometimes think is life worth living & when kindred are so far away. Sarah & brothers are building & will soon be in the new home all their own. it is next door to Mrs. Mary League her aunt. She was Mary Williams is well off & assists Sarah a good deal. The Campbell family all well in Galveston I’m still fond of teaching & seeing the money come in. Billie & Josie will be in to the wedding. Dr. W. lives across the street from us. I expect to witness the ceremony. All join me in love to you & your dear ones. Your loving grand mother E.A. Wood. I hope you & Campbell keep up your correspondence – Write soon again. (Letter in possession of B. M. Henwood, descendant of Wm Wood Powell, transcription copyright 2007 R. E. Reichardt.).
She and Annie Laurie Wood, Campbell Ella Wood, Ellerbe English Wood, Mary Lou Wood and Campbell Wood Jr. were enumerated in the census of 1 June 1900 in the household of Campbell Wood and Ann Hall Mitchell in San Saba County, Texas.
She was a dressmaker, according to the 1900 census.
Elizabeth Augusta Wood appeared in the census of 15 April 1910 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, at 213-1/2 Royal Street. Other members of the household included Campbell Wood Jr.
She was a stenographer, according to the 1910 census.
Elizabeth Augusta Wood appeared in the census of 1 January 1920 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, at 375 Schley Avenue a roomer in the household of Florence Coleman, living nearby her sister Evelyn Wood Riley. While her age is given as 24, the birthplaces for herself and her parents are correct.
She was a stenographer in a creamery according to the 1920 census.
Elizabeth Augusta Wood appeared in the census of 1 April 1930 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, at 116 East Park Also living in the household as a roomer is stenographer Vivian Johnson, who may possibly be her niece Vivian Riley, but Vivian is also enumerated in her mother's household.
She was assistant manager of a hat shop, according to the 1930 census.
She and Ellerbe English Wood, Annie Laurie Wood, Evelyn Annie 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.
At the time of her death Elizabeth Augusta Wood was living in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, at 124 East French Place.
Elizabeth Augusta Wood died on 3 January 1959 at age 85 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, at 107 East Mulberry Avenue at the home of her sister, Evelyn Wood Riley.. Her death was officially witnessed by Thelma Wood Riley.
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.
She was buried at Sunset Memorial Park in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas.

Last Edited: 25 Sep 2008