The Hoopes Family of Muscatine County, Iowa

Among the pioneers of Muscatine county the name of Lindley Hoopes occupies an honored place. He is now living at the venerable age of ninety-five years on the home farm where he settled fifty-four years ago. He was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, September 5, 181 5, and is a son of Isaac and Hannah (Jones) Hoopes, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state. There were twelve children in the family, two of whom are still living.

Lindley Hoopes came to Muscatine county, April 18, 1854, and two years later located upon the farm in Lake township which is now the home place. He and his brother, R. H. Hoopes, purchased four hundred acres of wild land which it required a great deal of labor to reduce to a condition under which it could be successfully cultivated. Six yoke of oxen were used in breaking the sod, some of the furrows being a mile long. Part of the land was covered with timber and they cut and hauled logs to the mill for lumber for fencing purposes. Mr. Hoopes also worked at the carpenter's trade in Muscatine and in the early days assisted in building High Prairie church. About twelve years after locating upon the farm a tornado passed over the region, totally destroying the house and barn. However, Mr. Hoopes was not discouraged and he soon repaired the damage, becoming one of the prosperous farmers of the locality. He still owns the home farm of one hundred and thirty acres. In his active years he was a good business man. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Muscatine and the confidence which was reposed in him by his associates is evidenced by the fact that he was elected president of the company, serving in that capacity for a number of years.

On the 22d of November, 1838, Mr. Hoopes was united in marriage to Miss Mary Adleman, who was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, May 6, 1819, and was a daughter of John and Sarah (Ganoe) Adleman, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. There were ten children in their family. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hoopes nine children were born: One who died in infancy; William H., also deceased; Sarah A., a sketch of whom appears below; Rebecca O., deceased; John A., a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Joseph E., of Muscatine county; Lindley S., deceased; Mary C, the wife of A. J. Wood, of Muscatine county; and Emerson G., also of Muscatine county. The beloved mother of these children passed away May 12, 1904, at the age of eighty-five years, and her remains were buried in High Prairie cemetery.

Sarah A. Hoopes was born in Pennsylvania in 1843 " grew to womanhood under the kindly influence of loving parents. In 1869 she was united in marriage to Dr. W. D. Barclay, a native of Pennsylvania, born April 24, 1829. He was the son of William and Elizabeth (Bowman) Barclay, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Having early shown an inclination for intellectual pursuits, he was given a good education and was graduated from Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN A. HOOPES.

John A. Hoopes, the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and fifty-four acres in Lake township, Muscatine county, upon which he has made all the improvements, was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1849, a son of Lindley and Mary Hoopes. He was reared under the kindly influences of a peaceable home and was educated in the district schools of Lake township, this county, and later in the city schools of Muscatine. He continued at home until twenty-one years of age and then began teaching school, continuing to follow that occupation for four years. On March 1, 1875, he entered into partnership with his father in farming and the livestock business, and seven years later purchased the farm which he now owns, it being originally a part of the home place. Here he erected a substantial residence and a large barn, also adding in many other ways to the appearance and value of the place. Being a man of industry and good judgment, he has been highly successful, and is recognized as one of the substantial farmers of Lake township. In 1875 Mr. Hoopes established the well known High Prairie herd of registered shorthorn cattle. Such choicely bred sires as Prince of Denmark IV, 76965; Golden Hero, 119418; Gold Bug, 123043, having been used in the herd. The young bull, Scottish Lavender, 335284, now heads the herd.

On September 5, 1894, Mr. Hoopes was united in marriage to Miss Martha Butler, who was born in Lake township in 1858 and was a daughter of William L. and Martha A. (Baumgardner) Butler. Her father was a native of Ohio and her mother of Virginia. They came to Muscatine county, Iowa, in 1837, and were among its early settlers. Her grandfather. George Baumgardner, was also a pioneer of Muscatine county. He entered a large tract of land in Dallas county, Iowa, and was also an extensive landowner in this county. There were eleven children in the family of William L. and Martha A. Butler, and to Mr. and Mrs. Hoopes one child, Clarence B., was born. He is now living with his father. Mrs. Hoopes passed away August 3. 1895, and was buried in High Prairie cemetery. On December 29, 1897, Mr. Hoopes was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Cornelia L. Hitchcock, a native of Lake township, who was born February 25, 1865. She is a daughter of Josiah and Phoebe Cassandra (Chapman) Hitchcock. Her father was born in Ohio and in 1847 came west to Muscatine county, Iowa, where he stopped for a short time, then going to California. Later he returned east to Ohio and in 1853 again came to Muscatine county, where he rented a farm for five years. In 1858 Mr. Hitchcock was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe Cassandra Chapman and settled on his newly acquired farm of a quarter of a section in Lake township, where he made his home until his death on the 15th of February, 1904. His wife passed away January 5, 191 1. There were ten children in their family. Three children have come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hoopes: Leslie W., J. Wendel and Ernest W.

Mr. Hoopes inherited from worthy parents many fine qualities, and in the course of an active life has contributed in many ways toward enhancing the comfort and happiness of those with whom he has associated. He and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which he has taken a great interest. He has for many years served as steward and trustee. Politically he affiliates with the republican party, accepting its principles as those best adapted for the prosperity of the country. His abilities have been recognized by his friends and acquaintances, and he has served for several years as justice of the peace and for three terms as clerk of his township. He is now serving as a member of the school board and, being a man of great public spirit, never withhold his support from any enterprise that he believes will advance the permanent interest of the community.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.