Julian Edward Wood

Julian Edward Wood (May 3, 1844 – June 2, 1911) was an American medical doctor, soldier, and a founder of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He was also a member of the Virginia Military Institute's cadet corp at the Battle of New Market. His parents were Sophia Marchant (née Trotman) and William Edward Wood, a physician, and farmer. When he was young, his father moved to Hampton, Virginia to a Hickory Grove, later the site of Hampton University. He served as a second cadet corporal in Company C in the V.M.I. Cadet Corps which helped secure a victory at the Battle of New Market. On March 1, 1868, Wood and friends from V.Mi. who were also attending the university, founded of Pi Kappa Alpha. After attending the University of Virginia for two years, he transferred to Washington College of Baltimore and graduated with an M.D. in 1869. He was also a surgeon for the Norfolk and Southern Railway. In May 1911, Wood was appointed county health official by the Board of County Commissioners. However, he retired from private practice in 1911 because of his declining health. In December 1881, Wood sent a telegram to North Carolina's Governor Thomas J. Jarvis, offering the assistance of the Pasquotank Rifles in the Plymouth race riot. Wood and his Rifles were armed with 45 caliber rifles and became Company E First Regiment of the North Carolina State Guard. In May 1888, the state provided uniforms for the Pasquotank Rifles, still under the leadership of Wood. They participated in the inauguration of Governor Daniel Gould Fowle in 1889.

In January 1891, Wood was elected colonel (commander) of the First Regiment of the North Carolina State Guard. He had a reputation as "a well informed and discreet officer." One of his assignments was to protect the state's oyster interests from oyster pirates. However, in December 1992, the First Regiment's field officers elected Wood as its colonel for a two-year term. In April 1893, he was back patrolling for oyster pirates.

Personal life Wood married Mary Jane Scott of Elizabeth City on February 17, 1874. Although he was not a man of significant wealth, Wood donated the pedestal for the "Edenton Tea Pot", a memorialto the Edenton Tea Party in Edenton, North Carolina. When reporting on his illness,The News and Observer noted, "He is one of the State's most distinguished and beloved citizens..."