Martin V. Wood, president of the Hempstead Bank and ex-chairman of the board of supervisors, was born on a farm in the town Hempstead, January 23, 1838. The first of the family to settle in this town was his grandfather, William, who came here from Flatlands and followed the dual occupation of farmer and blacksmith. In his family there were four sons, of whom Lewis died in boyhood; William L., a grocer in New York City, served as alderman, police justice and member of the board of education with the noted "Bill" Tweed; Lawrence was engaged in business in Fulton Market throughout his entire active life; Valentine, who was born two miles west of Hempstead, was for forty years proprietor of a country store, in which business he amassed a competency. He was prominent in local affairs and held numerous offices, among which was that of overseer of the poor.

The marriage of Valentine Wood united him with Eliza Jane Abrams, who was born in the town of Hempstead, where her father, Whitehead Abrams, for many years kept a country store. She died in 1883 at the age of seventy years; her husband had passed away three years prior to her decease, aged sixty-six years. They were the parents of two children, our subject being the only son. The daughter, Mary D., married L. H. Clowes and they reside in Hempstead. Martin’s boyhood years were uneventfully passed in work on the home farm and attendance at the neighboring schools. In 1861 he married Miss Harriet Watts, of Valley Stream, and they have two children, Jeannette, wife of William S. Hall, cashier of the Freeport Bank; and Wilhelmina, who is with her parents.

Shortly after his marriage Mr. Wood bought a farm adjoining that of his father, and since then he has been extensively interested in agricultural pursuits, but for several years he has spent the winter months in the village. When the Hempstead Bank was organized, he was one of the principal stockholders and has been its president from the start. When first established the bank was of great benefit to the business public and it has lost none of its usefulness with years. It is one of the solid institutions of the county and is recognized as one of the substantial banking houses of the state. Its stockholders and directors are numbered among the most capable business men of this section, and their reputation is a sufficient guaranty that the affairs of the concern are managed with skill and integrity. Throughout its entire career the bank has prospered, having a steady increase in business. Ever since the bank was founded, it has preserved an undisputed credit that has maintained the confidence of correspondents and depositors.

Aside from the Hempstead Bank, Mr. Wood is a stockholder in several banks, an officer in three insurance companies in New York, and a director in the Glencove Insurance Company. For several years he was a member of the board of education and the board of health of the town of Hempstead. In 1882 he was elected to represent the town on the county board of supervisors and held the office eight consecutive years, being for two years its chairman. In 1894 he was again elected to that office. In politics he is a Republican. He is a stockholder and director in the Bicycle Railroad, which is now in process of construction on Long Island, and his interests are many and important.

Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record of Queens County (Long Island) New York"
(Copyright 1896 by Chapman Publishing Company)

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