General Allen Wood

was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the year 1812. He was raised in Connecticut, and in early life moved to Indiana, where he married a lady who still lives, hale and hearty. In 1839 he moved to Arkansas and settled, and was twice elected to the legislature of that state. In the first call of troops for Mexico he raised a company; but living quite a distance from Little Rock, he was just an hour too late in reporting, and his company was rejected, under the ten-regiment bill. However, he received a captain’s commission from President Polk, and again raised an Arkansas company, and joined General Scott at Pueblo. His command belonged to the twelfth infantry, under Colonel Bonham, and fought in the battles of Contreras and Cherubusco, August 19 and 20, 1847. On the latter day he took command of the regiment, Colonel Bonham having been wounded the night before; and on that day they finished the battle of Contreras, and fought Cherubusco. For his gallant conduct in these engagements, he was made a brevet major. In the fall of 1856 he came to California, and settled in Butte county. In 1858 he moved to Humbug valley, Plumas county, now Longville. He built a fine, large hotel there, which was subsequently burned, almost bankrupting the proprietor. In 1860 he was elected on the Douglas ticket to the assembly. During his legislative term General Wood was instrumental in having established several postal routes through Plumas county. He was the first to take steps for the organization of a commandery of Knights Templar at Susanville, where he now resides.

SOURCE: Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties, with California from 1513 to 1850. –
Fariss and Smith, San Francisco, 1882. p 197
Transcribed by Craig Hahn, Dec. 2004