William Q. Atwood | |
|---|---|
 Atwood in 1887 | |
| Born | January 1, 1839 Wilcox County, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | December 21, 1910 (aged 71) Saginaw, Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupation | Lumber baron |
| Political party | Republican |
William Q. Atwood (January 1, 1839 – December 21, 1910) was a lumber baron in Saginaw, Michigan. Born a slave in Alabama, he was freed in 1853 in the will of his white master and father, and moved to the free state of Ohio. He became active in the Underground Railroad in Ripley, Ohio. During the American Civil War, Atwood moved to the northwest, settling in East Saginaw, Michigan in 1863. There he became successful in real estate and lumber dealing.
Atwood opened a sawmill in 1874. Through his real estate and mills, he became one of the richest African Americans in Michigan. He was active in the Republican party, and served as a delegate to the 1888 Republican National Convention.