In 1929, the Wilmington News Journal published a Souvenir Edition of Clinton County booklet. It included many facts of early Clinton County but the treasure is that it included a short bio of many of the people who helped the county progress to today. I hope we have become what many of those folks wanted us to be.
The first person I chose to feature is Harry W. Hodson. We would not be very successful if it were not for our system of educating our children. Harry Wilbur Hodson was the superintendent of the Wilmington City Schools at the time of the publication. Mr. Hodson was born in Wayne Township in Clinton County in 1883. He was the son of J. W. and Lillie Hodson, who were members of the Friends Church.
After earning his college degree, he served as principal at Reesville for at three years. He was then superintendent at Port William for two years and next moved to the position of district superintendent of the county school system. He then accepted the position of superintendent of the Wilmington City Schools. He followed O. K. Probasco in this position.
Mr. Hodson was married to Jennie Swingley, who was the daughter of Fred and Lucy Swingley, of Sabina. It seems Mr. Hodson was a very capable leader in our school systems and devoted many years to his role in education.
The next choice for Clinton Countians is Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Hazard. They were also chosen to serve in the capacity of caring for children. They were chosen to be the superintendents of the Clinton County Children’s Home. They began this position in 1918 and were followed Mr. and Mrs. James E. Smith, who had held that position for more than 25 years. Many of us will remember the children’s home, which was located north of Wilmington on U.S. 68.
The first Children’s Home was built on West Main Street following a special election held April 10, 1884. In 1902, the “new” Children’s Home was built on U.S. 68. The land was purchased from Shipley McMillan and was designed to house 40 children. The need for care at one time pushed the occupancy to 63 children. This was a working farm which was comprised of 125 acres land. Money from the sale of the products were paid into the general fund of the county. C. A. Rhonemus was a member of the board for 30 years and was president. Other members of the board were J. R. Clevenger and Harry Hall of Midland City and Mr. Harry Nickerson of New Burlington.
Mr. E. B. Hazard, son of Frank T. and Louella Miars Hazard, was the superintendent and a member of the Friends Church. Mrs. Hazard was born near Harveysburg and was the daughter of Elijah and Emma Painter Lukens. Mr. and Mrs. Hazard were married Dec. 31, 1903. They had two sons – Frank E. Hazard and Allen E. Hazard.
We need to thank all the many persons who were in any position of responsibility for caring for our children.
