John Page Hood
John Page Hood, the youngest child of John and Hannah Hood, was born at West Union, Adams County, Ohio, December 6, 1813. His father dying when he was less than one year old, it became necessary for him to look out for himself as soon as possible. When about ten years old, he became connected with the Village Register, edited by Ralph M. Voorhees, where he learned the printing trade. He afterwards learned the cabinet making trade, at which he worked for several years. Later he clerked in the store of his brother, James. Then he engaged in the mercantile business for himself. He was postmaster of West Union during Lincoln's administration, 1861 to 1865. A few years after the close of the Civil War, he sold his store and was employed as book-keeper of the West Union woolen factory, which was then in a flourishing condition. He was cashier of the bank of G. B. Grimes & Company, when death overtook him. After a short illness, he died from heart failure, October 8, 1879, aged sixty-six years, leaving a widow and nine children, all of whom except the youngest were grown to manhood and woman hood, and all are still living.
On December 5, 1837, John P. Hood was married to Sarah Jane McFarland. at the home of Rev. Dyer Burgess in West Union, Ohio, where, being a relative of Mrs. Burgess, she had been making her home for several years for the purpose of receiving the best educational advantages of the times. She was the eldest daughter of Duncan and Nancy McFarland, whose maiden name was Nancy J. Forsythe. Duncan McFarland, when eighteen years old, came from Ireland to this country with his uncle, Andrew Ellison of the Stone House, and settled in Meigs Township. The issue of the union of John P. Hood and Sarah J. McFarland was eleven children. Martha, the eldest, died at the age of thirteen years; Angeline married Andrew Kohler; Nancy J. married William H. Wright; Ellen married George N. Crawford; Anna E. married Dr. J. W. Bunn and Sarah B. married John M. Willson. There were five boys, John A., William, Albert C. and Oscar F. All except two of the children taught school. In Mrs. Hood's young days, the teachers of the county were mostly from the New England States, and it was her ambition to make teachers of her daughters.
In politics, Mr. Hood in his younger days, was a Whig. At the organization of the Republican party, he became a member of it, and so remained until his death. He was an active member of the United Presbyterian Church, in which he held the most important offices.
John P. Hood received a good education for the times in which he lived. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, possessing strong force of character and much native ability, and was known far and wide for his upright dealings and honesty. He was a kind husband and an indulgent father and found more pleasure in his home than anywhere else. Born of Puritan stock and trained under the rigid discipline of the advocates of this doctrine, he became very methodical in all his manners and customs, and had the complete confidence of his fellow men.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900