Andrew T. Wood

Major Andrew Thompson Wood (November 18, 1834 – February 3, 1915) was an American lawyer and politician from the Commonwealth of Kentucky. A Republican, he had a lengthy career in Kentucky politics, including a run for the United States House of Representatives in 1872, a failed bid for Attorney General of Kentucky in 1887, and a failed bid for Governor of Kentucky in 1891.

Born in rural Fleming County, Kentucky, Wood received a common education, and became a stagecoach driver. Later, he became a school teacher in the schools of Fleming County, before he enlisted as a Union soldier, and eventually climbed to the rank of major. After the war, he studied law under J.S. Dury and Thomas Turner, and was admitted to the bar in 1873.

As a Republican in a heavily Democratic state, Wood found little success in his political career. He suffered a failed bid for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in 1872, a failed bid for attorney general of Kentucky in 1887, and a failed bid for governor of Kentucky in 1891. He also faced many threats from the Ku Klux Klan to kill him and burn his home. In 1897, he was appointed a United States senator by governor William O. Bradley to fill the vacancy caused by failure of the Kentucky General Assembly to elect a successor to J. C. S. Blackburn, but his appointment was ignored in the senate, and they instead chose William J. Deboe to succeed Blackburn. In 1904, Wood was appointed United States pension agent from Kentucky, and served until 1915. Wood died on February 3, 1915, after several years of failing health.

Biography

Early life Andrew Thompson Wood was born on November 18, 1834, near the city of Flemingsburg, Kentucky, in Fleming County, Kentucky, to Henry S. Wood and Flavilla Weaver. He attended the common schools of Fleming County. He first assisted in the management of the family farm, and at the age of 17, he was employed as stagecoach driver, and eventually owned and operated his own stagecoat between Mount Sterling, Kentucky and Paris, Kentucky.

Both Democrats and Republicans were concerned about the presence of S. Brewer Erwin, nominee of the newly formed Populist Party, in the race; he enjoyed strong support for a third-party candidate, despite the fact that many believed his party's platform was too radical.

Brown defeated Wood taking 144,168 votes, Wood received 116,087 votes, Erwin received 25,631 votes, and a prohibition candidate received 3,292 votes. His credentials were presented to the senate on March 10,

In 1904, Wood was appointed a United States pension agent, to fill a vacant seat. He served in this role for four years and was reappointed in 1908. He served for another four years until 1912. He was buried at Machpelah Cemetery in Mount Sterling.

Electoral history