Wood was born in Wake County, North Carolina, and after graduation obtained a position at the West Point Foundry.

[2] He briefly did special duty at Boston, and then from 1850 to 1853, served on the paddle-sloop Saranac in the Home Squadron.

[2] From 1854 to 1857, Wood superintended the constructions of the engines of the screw-frigate Merrimack at Cold Spring, New York.

[2] From 1862 to 1866, Wood spent most of his time on special duty in Philadelphia, New York and Boston.

[3] On August 31, 1882, Wood was drowned in a boating accident off Point Lookout, Maryland.