Pleasant Green WOOD

     Pleasant Green WOOD, son of Joshua WOOD Jr. and Lecia BROWN, was born on 31 January 1832 at near Centreville in Bibb County, Alabama.¹

Pleasant Green WOOD appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1840, in the household of Lecia BROWN in Bibb County, Alabama.² He moved with Lecia BROWN from Centreville to Cahaba, Dallas County, Alabama, circa 1841 following the death of her husband.¹

He would work one year and go to school the next, and in that way he acquired a good education. He studied Morse code and circa 1848 Pleasant was in charge of the telegraph office in Cahaba, Dallas County, Alabama.^1,3 Pleasant was employed by the "Dallas Gazette" newspaper circa 1850 in Cahaba, Alabama.¹

Pleasant Green WOOD appeared on a census, enumerated 6 November 1850, in the household of Lecia BROWN in Cahawba Beat, Dallas County, Alabama.⁴

In 1852 Pleasant Green WOOD studied law in the office of Dawson and Peques Selma, Dallas County, Alabama.¹ He was admitted to the bar in 1854 in Cahaba, Dallas County, Alabama, and formed a partnership in the practice of law with Thomas W. Walker. He moved from Cahaba to Selma in 1859, and the partnership of Byrd, Morgan and Wood was formed. Mr. Morgan being Alabama's distinquished senior senator.^1,3

Pleasant married Catherine Webb on 7 February 1856 in Cahaba, Dallas County, Alabama. From the February 15th Dallas Gazette: Married, at the residence of Dr. Saltmarsh, in this county, on the 7th instant, by Rev. B. S. Williams, Mr. P. G. Wood to Miss Kate J. Webb, all of Cahaba.^5,6

Pleasant Green WOOD and Kate Webb appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 31 July 1860 in Cahaba, Dallas County, Alabama. The household was listed as P. G. Wood, 28, attorney, $800, born Alabama; Kate Wood, 25, born New York; Webb Wood, 2; and Mardis, 9/12. They lived on the northeast corner of Oak and Fourth Streets.

From Memories of Old Cahaba: "Extending from the Cahaba River north and south through the center of the town was Oak Street, one of the prettiest and best-improved streets of the place. Here was the beautiful home of Mrs. Simeon Watts, occupying a block, on the corner of Oak and Fifth North Streets. The home of Mr. John A. Lodor was at the southwest corner of Oak and Fourth South Streets, the residence of P. G. Wood being diagonally across from it. The Episcopal parsonage, occupied by Dr. Cushman, was on the same block at the southwest corner of Oak and Third South Streets. The residence of Col. Rees D. Gayle on Oak, between First and Second North Streets, shaded by huge water oaks, china trees, mulberries, and large bushes of cape jessamine, a house whose hospitable doors were ever open and a home of delightful entertainment, ever celebrated for
its refinement and culture, its cordial Southern welcome, and large-hearted, elegant hospitality."^7,8

Pleasant began military service at age 30 on 10 March 1862 in Selma, Dallas County, Alabama, when he enlisted in Company I, 28th Alabama Infantry. He was appointed lieutenant 29 March 1862 at Shelby Springs, Alabama, then to Captain at Missionary Ridge, and later to major of the consolidated 24th, 28th and 34th Alabama regiment following Hood's disasterous Tennessee Campaign. He suffered eleven wounds and took only one furlough during the war.^9,10

Pleasant was elected judge of Selma's City Court in 1866 but resigned immediately with the passage of the reconstruction act. He served on the Selma School Board 1871-1874.¹¹

Another incident further illustrates Judge Wood's willingness to stand up to carpetbaggers and martial law during those dark days of Reconstruction. The following appeared in the 7 Apr 1868 New York Times: "Arrest of the Judges in Alabama (from the Montgomery, Ala. Mail, April 8)-- On Friday last Judge P. G. Wood, of the Circuit Court of Selma, received the official notice of his expusion from the Bench by the Commanding General of this district. His crime consisted in refusing to break the oath which he took to abide by the Constitution and laws of Alabama. He would not permit negroes to sit beside white men on his juries. He knew that such juries were not recognized by the laws of Alabama, and that they were a mockery of justice." The article said that Judge B. T. Pope of Jacksonville in northern Alabama was arrested the week priorfor refusing to obey an order by Gen. Meade which also went against the laws of Alabama.

Pleasant Green WOOD and Kate Webb appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1870 in Selma, Dallas County, Alabama. The household was listed as Pleasant Wood, 38, Lawyer, $1700 real estate, $1000 personal property; Kate Wood, 35, born New York; Webb Wood, 12, in school; Morris [Mardis] Wood, 10, in school; Nellie Wood, 8; Percy Wood, 5; Felix Wood, 3; and Grace Wood, 2/12 (born April). P. G. Wood and all of his children were born in Alabama.¹²

Pleasant married Julia V. Roach on 5 August 1875 in Selma, Dallas County, Alabama.¹³

Pleasant was appointed Dallas County probate judge by Governor George S. Houston in 1877. He was re-elected to this position without opposition in 1880, 1886, 1890 and 1898. Judge Wood was a director of the Commercial Bank of Selma, president of the Board of Trustees of the Selma Methodist Church, administrator of the Alabama Methodist Orphanage (later the Alabama Children's Home) in Summerfield, and a member of the Board of Trustees of Southern University in Greensboro.¹

Pleasant Green WOOD and Julia V. Roach appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1880 in Selma, Dallas County, Alabama. The household was listed as Pleasant G. Wood, 48; Julia V., wife, 47, born South Carolina; Webb, son, 22; Mardis, son, 20; Nell, daughter, 18; Percy, son, 16; Felix, son, 13; Grace, daughter, 10; Kate, daughter, 1; and Clara Roach, boarder, 37, born South Carolina. The 1880-1881 Selma City Directory shows their residence at the corner of Alabama and Donation Streets.¹⁴

1895Pleasant was on the roster of Camp Catsby R. Jones of the United Confederate Veterans in Selma.¹⁵

Pleasant Green WOOD and Julia V. Roach appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1900 in Selma, Dallas County, Alabama. The household was listed as Pleasant G. Wood, age 68, born January 1832 in Alabama, Judge of Probate. His father was born in Georgia, his mother in South Carolina. His wife, Julia V. Wood, age 67, was born January 1833. She and her parents were born in South Carolina. Also in the household was their daughter, Kate Woolsey Wood, age 21, who was born February 1879 in Alabama. Their address was 1304 Alabama Street. Living next door was Felix Wood.¹⁶

Pleasant Green WOOD died on 22 September 1901 in London, England, at age 69. He seldom left the county, believing that the people that had honored him so often expected him to remain at his post, and it was only after persuasion of friends and family that he had consented to accept the appointment of the Methodist bishop as a delegate to the Ecumenical Conference in London. It was there that he contacted pneumonia, brought on by snow and cold weather during the voyage, and died. His body was brought home in the care of Rev. A. J. Lamar of Montgomery.³ He was buried in Old Live Oak Cemetery, Selma, Alabama. The funeral was attended with the highest honors by the city and county.

Pleasant Green WOOD appeared in a newspaper article 25 September 1901 in the Our Mountain Home, published in Talladega, Alabama. Judge P. G. Wood Dies in London. While attending ecumennical conferance he contracted pneumonia --- Selma, Ala., Sept. 22-- This city was shocked this morning by the sad intelligence that came over the cable from London announcing the death in that city of Judge Pleasant G. Wood, probate judge of Dallas county for the past twenty-four years. His son, Mr. Felix Wood, who is chief clerk, received a cablegram from Rev. A. J. Lamar stating, "Father dangerously ill with pneumonia;" at the same time H. H. Stewart received a message saying, "Wood died suddenly this morning, shall I bring remains ?"

Judge Wood and Mr. Lamar were in London attending t Methodist Ecumenical Conference as representatives of the Alabama Conference, Judge Wood having been appointed in the place of the late Gov. William J. Samford. A letter from him received by his son last Thursday stated that he was enjoying the trip and was in good health. It is supposed that he developed pneumonia, and at his advanced age this malady proved fatal, death coming unexpectedly to those around his bedside.

Dr. Lamar was cabled to bring the remains home, and it is expected that they will reach here within ten days.