Biography - Robert Hood
ROBERT HOOD, a resident of Cache Township, Johnson County, was born in Lauderdale County, Ala., September 12, 1823. He is a son of James and Mary (Boey) Hood, the former of whom was born in South Carolina March 14, 1801, and the latter in North Carolina in 1803. James Hood was a son of Matthew and Mary Hood, the latter of whom was born in Maryland. James Hood left his native State at the age of seventeen and removed to Alabama, where he purchased land and remained for several years, then, selling out, removed to Tennessee. He lived in Hardeman County, that State, for seventeen years, until the breaking out of the war, and then as his political principles were not the same as those of the people among whom he had been living so long, he was compelled to sell out and leave the State. He therefore came to Illinois in 1862, settling in Johnson County, where he died July 20, 1883.
Robert Hood remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age. He married and settled down on a farm in Tennessee, but like his father, he did not believe in secession, and was compelled to leave the State because of his opposition to the war. However he did not leave before being drafted into the Confederate army, and in order to avoid going to the war, he hired a substitute. He had left his land in Tennessee, and the next morning, after sending his substitute to the army, left his native State and started for the North and liberty. He arrived in Illinois January 15, 1863, having come through with his ox-team, being beset by guerrillas and bushwhackers, and having many thrilling adventures on the way. He purchased one hundred and sixty-five acres of land on section 6, Cache Township, where he now resides. This is a first-class farm, on which is a pleasant home, he having erected most of the buildings upon it himself.
Our subject was married July 31, 1849, to Amanda A. Ferguson, who was born in East Tennessee April 10, 1824. Her parents were natives of Tennessee, and her grandparents were born in North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Hood have reared four children: Anna E., Frank R., Mary and John J. Mr. Hood is liberal in his religious views, and always votes the Republican ticket.
Extracted 16 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1893 Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, pages 488-489.
