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JAMES W. GREENWOOD. - The Greenwood family is one, around which cluster many interesting reminiscences, they being early identified in the settlement and growth of Sangamon county. The direct line of descent is traced to William Greenwood, who was born near Petersburg, Virginia, 1772; married Ruth Brooks, and moved to Cabell County, West Virginia; moved to Sangamon county, and settled in Curran township, October, 1824.

Mr. Greenwood died July 6, 1837. His widow died August 16, 1855.

William Greenwood's father enlisted for the war of the Revolution. When marching orders came, he was unable to go, by reason of sickness. Wishing to have his place filled, he sent his son, Abraham - a brother of William - to serve until he could relieve him. When sufficiently recovered to do duty, he went to his command - found Abraham unwilling to go back - was resolved to continue in the service.

We hear of many of his peculiar exploits, many of them being upon the Tories. He constituted himself a forage company, and made the Tories his means for supplies. One day, calling at a Tory's house, the old lady ordered him away in an emphatic manner. He had provided a strong line, with fish hook attached, well baited. He cast his line into a flock of geese; an old one seized it. He, obeying her command, rode away, taking the goose with him, to the chagrin of the old lady. He served to the end of the war, never forgetting to live upon the Tories. Of William of them attained prominence in the educational and executive departments of State. John, his son, was born in West Virginia, January 3, 1810; moved to Sangamon county with his father, in 1824; married Eliza Miller, October 20, 1832. She was born in Kentucky, June 1, 1815. Her father, Jacob Miller, was born in Kentucky, 1789; was a soldier in the War of 1812.

John Greenwood had three children: James W., born February 2, 1834; Leah M. (see F. M. Neal), Ruth J. Mrs. G. died February 10, 1841. Mr. G. married her sister, Emily Miller, March 10, 1842. His second wife died April 21, 1866. Mr. Greenwood died May 4, 1880.

His son, James W. Greenwood, was born in Curran township, February 2, 1834; married December 18, 1856, to Margaret Baker, who was born in Loami township, October 27, 1834; was daughter of Thomas Baker, born in Campbell county, Kentucky, March 3, 1794; married Nancy Robertson, December 29, 1823. She was born in Harrison county, Virginia, October 9, 1806; lived in West Virginia until 1826, where they had two children; moved to Sangamon county, locating in Loami township, November, 1826, where they had eight children. Of their ten children, nine became heads of families. Some of them, like many others of Sangamon county, responded promptly to the call for troops in our civil war, and offered their sacred all upon their country's altar. Thomas Baker died January 5, 1852. His widow lives where they settled in 1826.