Hood, W. N.

HOOD, LEET, SHERFEY

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 5/25/2021 at 15:49:57

W. N. Hood, Esq., was born in Portsmouth, Scioto Co., Ohio. He is the son of Walter C. and Sarah L. (Leet) Hood. Walter Hood was a native of Somerset, Perry Co., Ohio, born Feb. 3, 1825. Sarah Hood, his wife, was a native of Potter County, Pa., born Sept. 19, 1833. They were married at Ironton, Ohio, in May, 1855. At that date and for a score of years later, Walter Hood was connected with the press of Ohio, being editor of the Ironton Times , Portsmouth Times, and Marietta Times, all of which he owned.

Mr. Hood studied law and was admitted to the bar, but was by education and profession a newspaper man in the fullest sense, and ranked highly in journalism in Ohio. His talents were known outside the State, for a position on the New York World was offered to Mr. Hood, leaving him to name his own salary, but he declined the offer. In 1860, he was appointed Deputy United States Marshal of the Southern District of Ohio, and assisted in taking the census of the State for that year. He was also appointed State Librarian, at Columbus, Ohio, in March, 1874, and his death occurred while filling that position. He was appointed by Gov. Allen. His wife died at Marietta, Ohio, July 19, 1870, in her thirty-seventh year. She was the mother of four children – Ralph L., William N., Charles C., deceased, and Frances E. The latter is a graduate of St. Mary’s College, Columbus, Ohio. Our subject, W. N. Hood, completed his education at Marietta, Ohio. From that date he became connected with the Marietta Register, and learned the printer’s trade in all its branches. Later, he accepted a position in the office of the Columbus Gazette, and after the death of his father went to Portsmouth, Ohio, becoming engaged soon after to work upon the Times of that city, where he remained until June, 1876, when he came to Washington, Iowa, and in July of the same year began work on the Gazette, then published by John Wiseman. Mr. Hood became connected with the Washington Democrat, which was ushered into existence Aug. 14, 1874.

In September, 1879, in company with L. Waters, Mr. Hood purchased the office and good-will of the Democrat, continuing its publication successfully until the death of Mr. Waters in September, 1881. George G. Rodman then purchased the interest of Mr. Waters, and the firm has since done business under the name of Rodman & Hood. This paper is the only and the official Democratic paper in the county. The editors and publishers have made it a very profitable journal. Both gentlemen are ready writers.

Mr. Hood was married, Oct. 11, 1882, to Miss Ida, daughter of Azel and Hannah (Sherfey) Farnsworth, of Muscatine, Iowa. Mr. Farnsworth, during his life in Muscatine, was a well-known capitalist. He left a widow and three children: Julius R., a farmer, residing in Muscatine; Carrie O., a teacher in the public schools of Muscatine, and Ida F., the wife of Mr. Hood. One daughter, Winifred, has graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hood. The family of Mr. Hood are well acquainted in Washington, and Mr. Hood has practically from boyhood been identified with all its business interests.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of W. N. Hood, pages 549-550.