Lt. Col. Benson Walker Hough
Lieutenant-Colonel Benson Walker Hough, a prominent citizen of Delaware, and a member of the law firm of Overturf & Hough, leading attorneys, was born March 3, 1875, in Berkshire Township, Delaware County, Ohio. He is a son of Leonard Samuel and Mary (Linn) Hough.
The Hough family was prominent in New England before becoming established in Ohio. In 1812, one of its members, Dr. Sylvester Hough, the great-grandfather of Colonel Hough, left Connecticut and came to Delaware County, settling in Genoa Township, where he engaged in a mill business in addition to his professional work. He married Sarah Williams and one of their sons they named Orsamus Daniel. He was born in Burlington, Vermont, and was brought to Genoa Township when three years old and lived a long, active and useful life which closed October 10, 1891. After his marriage at the age of 24 years, he conducted his father's farm for a year and then moved to Brown Township and there operated a grist mill for 15 years, in partnership with his brother-in-law. Kilbourne Thrall. This was an old water-power mill and during about six months of the year lack of water kept it idle, and during these periods he cleared up a farm of 114 acres. After the death of his father, in 1847, he bought the old homestead and lived on it for several years and then sold and bought 342 acres of Peter Van Sickle and 117 acres from another party, later purchased what was called the Prince farm and kept on acquiring land until at the time of his death he owned 1,000 acres. The only financial assistance he had ever had was the sum of $192, received from his father's estate, securing all the large fortune which he left to his descendants through his own sagacity and industry.
Upon the organization of the Sunbury Bank, Mr. Hough became a director and held this office for many years. He was active in all public-spirited movements and was one of the stockholders and organizers of that large enterprise, the Delaware, Berkshire & Sunbury turnpike road. For six years he was county commissioner of Delaware County, served as many years as township treasurer and as a justice of the peace. Upon the resignation of Hon. J. R. Hubbell, he was elected to fill the vacancy in the Legislature, and in 1866 he was elected to succeed himself. He was twice married, his first wife being Corinthia Charlotte Thrall, a member of one of the earliest families in Brown Township. She was born at Granville, Ohio, July 3, 1812, and died April 1, 1878, the mother of four children. Clarissa Almira married Otho H. William,, a farmer and merchant. Leonard Samuel, father of Colonel Hough, was the only son. Charlotte A., residing at Delaware, is the widow of Benjamin B. Walker. One child died in infancy. Mr. Hough married for his second wife the widow of Dr. McMillan.
Leonard Samuel Hough was born August 3, 1835, and died April 8, 1879. He was reared and attended school at Kilbourne. He possessed much of his father's excellent business sense and at one time, in partnership with the latter, owned 1.000 acres of land in Berkshire Township. He was an extensive farmer and stockman. On October 19, 1870, he married Mary Linn, a relative. Her mother was a daughter of Dr. Daniel Hough, who was a physician of Seneca County, Ohio, and a brother of Dr. Sylvester Hough, the paternal grandfather of Colonel Hough. There were three children born to the above marriage, namely: Clara, born in 1874, who died in infancy; Benson W.; and Leonard T., who was born July 31, 1879. The mother survived until September 1, 1900.
Colonel Hough attended the district schools until he was nine years old and then accompanied his mother to Delaware, where he completed the High School course, then spent three years in the Ohio Wesleyan University and in 1899 graduated from the Ohio State University with the degree of B. L. About 1897 he first began to read law, with the firm of Overturf & Coyner, and he was admitted to the bar in 1899 and for three years practiced alone. In 1902 he entered into partnership with Hon. N. F. Overturf. and the present strong law firm then formed has continued to the present.
Colonel Hough has been prominent in State military affairs for a number of years and has won his present high rank through faithful service. In 1892 he enlisted in Company K, Fourth Regiment, Ohio National Guards, serving five years. The pressure of other duties kept him out of the service for a time, but in January. 1902, he was elected first lieutenant, in June, 1902. captain, and in June. 1905, major of the Third Battalion, Fourth Regiment, and in July, 1906. he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the Fourth Infantry. He was the seventh major this company has turned out in the State, and the second lieutenant-colonel.
On June 25, 1902, Colonel Hough was married to Edith B. Markel, who is a daughter of Jeremiah Markel. of Delaware, and they have one son, Benson Markel. who was born December 24, 1905. Colonel and Mrs. Hough belong to the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Y. M. C. A. and of the Commercial Club, is a charter member of the Delaware Club and a member of the Elks, at Delaware, and retains his connections with his college fraternities, the Phi Gamma Delta, the Theta Nu Epsilon and the Phi Delta Phi. In politics he is a Republican and from 1902 until 1906 he served as city solicitor of Delaware.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908
Benson Walker Hough is the eldest son of Leonard Samuel Hough and Mary (Linn) Hough. He was horn in Berkshire Township. Delaware County, Ohio, March 3, 1875. He received his early education in the public schools of Delaware and graduated from the high school in the year 1892. He attended the Ohio Wesleyan University for three years and the Ohio State University, from which he graduated in the law department in the year 1899. He began the study of law in 1897 with Messrs. Overturf and Coyner and was admitted to the Bar in the month of March, 1899. He immediately began the practice of his chosen profession with flattering prospects for success.
In the year 1902 he formed a partnership for the practice of law with Judge N. F. Overturf, the style of the firm being Overturf and Hough, which partnership has continued ever since. In the spring of the year 1902, Mr. Hough was nominated by the Republican Party for city solicitor of Delaware, to which he was duly elected in April of that year. He was re-nominated to succeed himself in the spring of the year 1904. and was again elected and served his second term, retiring from office in the spring of 1906. Since that time he has continued in the practice of his profession with the firm of Overturf and Hough.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908