By reaction of 5-methoxysalicylaldehyde with 3-chlorobenzohydrazide and 3-methylbenzohydrazide, respectively, two structurally similar hydrazone compounds, 3-chloro-N'-(2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide (1) and N'-(2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzylidene)-3-methylbenzohydrazide (2), were synthesized. The compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, infrared and UV-vis spectra, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal of 1 crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2(1)/n, with unit cell dimensions a = 5.8872(8) angstrom, b = 31.649(2) angstrom, c = 7.6309(9) angstrom, beta = 94.427(2)degrees, V = 1417.6(3) angstrom(3), Z = 4, R-1 = 0.0462, wR(2) = 0.1053. The crystal of 2 crystallizes in orthorhombic space group Pbca, with unit cell dimensions a = 10.415(1) angstrom, b = 9.781(1) angstrom, c = 29.548(2) angstrom, V = 3010.2(5) angstrom(3), Z = 8, R-1 = 0.0519, wR(2) = 0.1577. The compounds were assayed for antibacterial (Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescence and Staphylococcus aureus) and antifungal (Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans) activities by MTT method.