WOOD, Sterling Alexander Martin - was born 17 March 1823 in Florence, Alabama. He graduated from St. Joseph's College, a school run by the Jesuits in Bardstown, Kentucky, in 1841. He then studied the law and went to work as an attorney in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He then relocated to Florence, Alabama where he established a law practice. In 1851 he was appointed solicitor for the 4th circuit court of Alabama. In 1857 he was elected to the state legislature. In 1860 he became the editor of the Florence "Gazette" through which he supported John C. Breckinridge in the presidential election of 1860.
When the war erupted Wood became the captain of the Florence Guards. After that unit became part of the 7th Alabama infantry regiment, he became its colonel on 18 May 1861. He commanded the 7th at Pensacola, Florida. On 7 January 1862 he was promoted to brigadier general. He saw action at Shiloh commanding the 3rd brigade in William J. Hardee's corps. Wood commanded the 4th brigade in Simon B. Buckner's division at Perryville where Wood was wounded. He commanded the 4th brigade in Patrick R. Cleburne's division at Murfreesboro. Wood was then temporarily assigned command of the District of North Alabama. He returned to command of the 4th division under Cleburne at Chickamauga. Although it has been theorized that his failure to gain recognition for his efforts at Chickamauga turned him against his superiors, no one is really sure why Wood resigned from the army on 17 October 1863.
After resigning from the army Wood returned to Alabama, setting up a law practice in Tuscaloosa. Following the war he was an attorney for the Alabama Great Southern Railway. In 1882 he was elected to the state legislature. He taught law at the University of Alabama from 1889 until 1890. Wood died 26 January 1891 in Tuscaloosa.
WOOD, William Basil - has been a resident of Lauderdale for fifty years. He was born in Nashville, Tenn.., Oct. 31,
1820. his father was a mechanic and afterwards a merchant His mother was the daughter of Major Evans of the British
army. The parents came to the county in 1821, and the son grew to manhood here. Deceiving a liberal education, he
read law under Judge Coleman of Limestone, and was admitted to the bar in 1843. Locating in Florence, he was the
year following elected county judge, and held the place for six years. In 1849 he was the Whig candidate for congress,
but was defeated by Hon. David Hubbard of Lawrence. In 1860 he was the Bell candidate for elector at large. A year
later he took the field as colonel of the 16th Alabama. At Wild-Cat, Fishing Creek, Murfreesboro, and Chickamanga,
he led the 16th with great credit, and at Triune was in command of the brigade. Gens. Cleburne and Hardee recommended his promotion, but ho was soon transferred to the
presidency of the military court of Longstreet's corps, where he continued until the close of the war. In May 1864 he was
elected judge of tho circuit court over Hon. T. M. Poters of Lawrence, but held no courts. He was not re-appointed by
Governor Parsons, but in 1866 was again elected circuit judge, defeating Judge Posey and Col. Pickett, both of Lauderdale.
In 1868 he was removed from office by the reconstruction acts of congress. Judge Wood is a conscientious man, of high
moral standing and sincere piety. He is a lawyer of decided ability. In stature he is six feet, and well proportioned. He married a daughter of Major Leftwich of Virginia.
Alabama - Her Resources and History by WIllis Brewer 1872
