Albert Clinton Hood
Albert Clinton Hood, the ninth child of John P. and Sarah J. Hood, was born in West Union, Adams County, Ohio, February 28, 1858. He attended the Public schools of West Union until the age of seventeen, at which time, 1875, he began teaching in the country schools of Adams County. He followed this business for several years, teaching in the Winter and going to school in the Summer. He afterward attended the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, and later the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, and besides, he has accomplished much by home study.
He filled the following positions in Adams County: Superintendent of Rome schools, Principal of Manchester High School, Superintendent of Bentonville schools, of Peebles schools, and of the West Union schools. Besides, within this period, he taught several Normal schools during the Summer months. He was County School Examiner from September 1, 1888. to August 31. 1891, having been appointed to the position by Judge I. N. Tolle.
Since leaving Adams county in 1892, he has superintended the schools of Aberdeen, Brown, County, Ohio; Shiloh, Richland County, Ohio; New London, Huron County, Ohio, and Reynoldsburg, Franklin County, Ohio. On retiring from the New London schools in '98 he was invited back to take charge of the Shiloh schools, but declined the offer to accept the superintendency of the schools at Reynoldsburg. At this place he also conducted a Summer school for the especial training of teachers. In the year 1900 he accepted an appointment as teacher in the Central High School, Cleveland, Ohio.
Albert C. Hood was married November 28, 1889, at Peebles, Adams County, Ohio, to Susan Annabel Nixon, daughter of David and Mary Ann Nixon of that place. Three children, two boys, Edwin Nixon and Glenn Mack, and one girl, Pauline, have been born to them, all of whom are living. He has been somewhat active in lodge work, having become a member of the I. O. O. F. Subordinate, Encampment, and Rebekah Lodges, and of the Masonic Blue Lodge, Chapter, and Order of Eastern Star.
In June, 1893, Mr. Hood obtained a High School Life Certificate from the State Board of School Examiners of Ohio. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy, and also that of Master of Arts, was conferred upon him in 1899, by Mount Hope College.
Mr. Hood is truly a school man. He entered the profession of teaching when quite young. He began in the country schools and has adhered to the work, being gradually promoted until he has held several responsible positions as Principal and Superintendent. As a teacher, he is rigid in discipline and thorough in instruction. He has high ideals and strives to bring his pupils up to them both in education and in conduct. He has made a careful study of the art of teaching, having given much time to educational associations and is able to discern the best points of the work. He does not like sham in any sense nor those who try to practice it. After leaving the High school as a pupil, he steadily advanced in education until he was qualified for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. In addition to the Public school work, he has been connected with private Normal schools where teachers have been trained for examinations and for better work as teachers. His influence is toward the elevation of the lives of the pupils who come to his schools and in this way his work has been especially successful. He is industrious, painstaking and careful in whatever he endeavors to do, and this makes him a most useful teacher, inspiring his pupils to be careful in thought and neat in execution. Even people who do not like him say that he is a good teacher. As a man, he is thoroughly honest and upright and his character is above reproach. He belongs to the conservative class. Of a nervous, sanguine temperament, he is quick to judge and strong in his convictions. He is not the "first to lay down the old nor the last to take up the new." His strong point is in counsel and he is a steadfast friend to those whom he chooses as friends. As a citizen, he takes a quiet but positive interest in public affairs, makes up his own opinions on public questions and exercises the right of franchise in accordance with free convictions.
From "A history of Adams County, Ohio: from its earliest settlement to the present time" By Nelson Wiley Evans, Emmons B. Stivers, 1900