Charles R. ROOD is a native of Grandville, Washington County, New York, and
was born July 24, 1813. He came to Whiteside county in October 1836, and
settled first in Albany where he remained three years. During this time he
located his present farm on section twenty-two in Garden Plain, then a part of
Albany Precinct, and in the fall of 1840 when back to the East, remaining
until 1844, when he returned with his wife and settled permanently in his new
home. Mr. ROOD was married to Miss Sarah S CHURCHILL at Mooers, Clinton
County New York, on the 27th of October 1842. Mrs. ROOD is a native of Champlain,
Clinton county, New York, and was born November 11, 1815. The following are
the names of their children; Myra, born August 12, 1845; Albert Lawrence born
October 11, 1847; Nellie, born November 12, 1848 and Julia, born March 11,
1856. Albert Lawrence died January 3rd, 1848, Nellie married James NIMON and
is living in Leavenworth, Kansas. Myra and Julia are residing at home.
Probably no man in Whiteside took a more prominent part in the affairs of
the county at an early day than Mr. ROOD, or was more thoroughly acquainted
with its people. In 1837 he was appointed Deputy County Surveyor by Mr.
Crawford, the County Surveyor of Ogle county, Whiteside being then attached
to Ogle for county purposes, and in 1838 received the appointment of Deputy
Sheriff from the Sheriff of Ogle county. Upon the complete organization of
Whiteside in 1839 he was elected its first County Surveyor, the term being
for four years, but vacated the office in 1842 during his absence at the East.
Soon after his return he was appointed Deputy Surveyor for the county, and
holds that position at present. Mr. ROOD surveyed and laid out the towns
of Harrisburg and Chatham (now Sterling), Lyndon, Albany, and a part of
Fulton, and has surveyed and located most of the leading roads in the
county. Besides these public surveys, his services have been very
frequently in demand since he first came to the county, to make private
surveys of lands, lots and blocks. As a Surveyor he has no superior in this section of the
country. His knowledge of the profession, and his accuracy are unquestioned.
Of township offices he has been Supervisor several terms, also Highway
Commissioner, School Director and Township School Treasure. When the
Postoffice was established at Garden Plain he was the first Postmaster.
He has always been an ardent friend of the Temperance cause, and as early
as 1837 assisted in forming a Temperance Society in Albany, which was
probably the first organization of the kind in the county. This Society was
organized in the spring and by the following June it numbered over forty
members, showing that the leader were not only zealous, but effective in
their labors. Mr. ROOD is the owner of one of the finest farms in Garden
Plain township - a town, if we may use the expression, running over with
splendid farms. The land rolling, the soil rich and deep, and under his
careful management produces abundant crops. His talent and success as an
agriculturist are only equaled by those exhibited and attained in his
profession. When the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry came into being he
took an active part in organizing subordinate Granges, and was the first
Master of the County Grange. He is at present connected with the Farmer's
Co-operative Manufacturing Company, whose works are at Lyndon.
Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County Page 215
