Morris "Mott" Wood
Morris was born on January 28, 1882. He achieved the title of World Champion, primarily peaking in 1907. One of the most amazing races Mr. Wood participated in was staged on Branchport Creek when, in 1931, he raced against a horse, a trotter named Don E. before a crowd of 7,000 lining the river bank. "He just nipped me by a head," Mr. Wood said later. Mr. Wood had suffered a back injury 13 years before and it may have been the cause of his defeat. He was inducted into the National Speedskating Hall of Fame on May 19, 1962 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.