Oil on canvas, c. 1920. View of a charming cottage, with a fence and a barn. Unframed, 17.5" high, 28" wide. An old note affixed to the back indicates that the portrait was painted by Milton Wood. S40 - Milton Wood was born in Randolph County, Indiana, in July of 1882, according to the 1900 census, which shows him living at home, the oldest son at home and one of Sylvester and Julia Wood's nine children. "Charley," a younger brother, is also listed, four years of age and born in August of 1895. By 1920, Milton and Charles H., as he is listed, along with an unmarried older sister, are still at home. Charles lists his occupation as farmer, but Milton is identifed as "Artist." In 1940, Milton, now 57, is alone at home with his father Sylvester. His occupation is listed as "chores." In 1950, Milton is living alone and farming, and he died in 1962 after spending several years living with a younger sister. Meanwhile, by 1930, Charles is married to Lilie Mae, and they are living in Muncie, Indiana, where his occupation is listed as "draftsman." They have three children. In 1940, Charles and family are living in Niles Township, just north of Muncie, but in the months after the census was recorded, Charles died in Dunkirk, Indiana. Tragically, five years later, shortly after VE Day, Charles and Lilie Mae's only son, Bernard, would die at 19 in a bomber crash during training in Idaho. Lilie Mae spent the remainder of her life living with her daughters, Mary and Florence, both of whom were teachers and never married. Later in life, she moved to North Carolina for several years, where she died in 1983. She and Charles are buried in her hometown of Redkey, Indiana. Minor craquelure.
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