The Hoover Families of Crawford County, Ohio

WILLIAM HOOVER, retired, Bucyrus; a son of Christian and Mary (Simmons) Hoover, and was born Nov. 1, 1816, in Pickaway Co., Ohio. In 1822, when he was about six years old, the family removed to this county, and settled in Antrim, now Dallas Township. His father entered about 400 acres of land, to which he continued to add, until his death, at which time he owned 700 acres of fine land. His mother died when he was but 1 year old; and, after removing to this county, he lived with an uncle for about one year at Little Sandusky, when his father married again, and he lived at home with him on the Sandusky River Plains. Here he went to school in an old, deserted cabin, his first teacher being Jos. Newell. He attended school until he was 16 years old, when, with his brother-in-law, he took charge of his father's farm; his father going to Sandusky City. He continued on the farm until 1866, and, at his father's death, which took place in August, 1849, of cholera, he received his portion of his wealth. For several years he dealt largely in stock, devoting also considerable attention to stock-raising. In Novemljer, 1866, he came to Bucyrus, since which time he has been engaged in the care of his large estate. In March, 1877, he became a partner in the firm of Frey, Sheckler & Hoover in the Eagle JIachine Works; he represented the firm in the Cincinnati Exposition of 18S0. He was married, Oct. 18, 1838, to Miss Phoebe Swisher, of Groveport, Franklin Co., Ohio, who was born in Franklin County-, March 7, 1817. Ten children have been born of this union, all of whom are living. John T. is a farmer in Dallas Township; Christian, also a farmer in Dallas; George, at home; Marcellus, a farmer in Dallas; Charles F., a student in Capital Cit_y Commercial College; Emily, wife of Henry Welsh, farmer of Wyandot County; Maggie, wife of David E. Fisher, a merchant of Bucyrus; Alice, wife of Mark H. Lea, farmer of Taj-lor Co., Iowa; Flora, wife of H. L. Weber of Bucyrus; Lillian at home. He is a member of the English Lutheran Church, and one of its trustees. He has always been a Republican in politics, and before the organization of that party was an Old-Line Whig. His father was born in Pendleton Co., Va., and when a young man, married and came to this county. He was a soldier in the war of 1812; built the first brick house, probably, in the county. He had two children: the subject of this sketch, and Hannah (now deceased), wife of Charles W. White.

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

JOHN T. HOOVER, farmer and stock-dealer; P. 0. Wyandot, Ohio; was born in Dallas Township, Crawford Co., Sept. 1, 1840; is a son of Tom Hoover, of Bucyrus; was raised in this township, and married to Miss Mary E., daughter of James Hufty, of Logan Co., Oct. IS, 1866. They have four children — Pauline, Parmelia, Leo H. and Ray. He owns 160 acres of good land. When his county called, he enlisted in the 11th Ohio Battery, and for thirty- eight months was at the front doing good service. Was with Gen. Fremont in Missouri in the fall of 1861, stationed at Fort Lamine; at Otterville during the winter of 1861-62; then crossed the country to Booneville and St Charles; then to Cape Girardeau, Mo.; was with Gen. Pope at the memorable taking of Island No. 10, and the Mississippi campaign of the spring of 1862; then went with Gen. Pope's army to Pittsburg Landing, where, for forty days and nights, was on duty with his battery" in the " On to Corinth " struggle; was at the battle of Iuka. Miss., when his company lost sixteen men killed and thirty-two wounded; they then lost their battery, but regained it the next day, and, at the second battle of Corinth, the Confederates had cause to remember the long-range "whistles" of the 11th Ohio; moved with Grant to Grenada, Miss., and with Sherman to Vicksburg; also took part in the capture of Milliken's Bend, Napoleon and Grand Gulf; and was at the front during the march to Jackson, and in the great battle of Champion Hill; siege of Vicksburg; afterward at Helena and Little Rock, Ark., and was sent to assist in Gen. Banks' Red River expedition. During all these long, weary years, Mr. Hoover was never absent, sick or failed to do his duty. Crawford Co. should be proud of such a soldier.

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

CHRISTIAN HOOVER, who is one of the substantial citizens of Dallas township, Crawford county, ( owning 244 acres of finely developed land, was born in Crawford county, in September, 1844, and is a son of William and Phebe (Swisher) 1 1 over.

William Hoover was born in Pickaway county, ( but the greater part of his life was passed as a farmer in Crawford county.

He married Phebe Swisher, who was born in Franklin county, O., and the following children were born to them: John T.; Emma, who is the wife of Henry M. Welch; Christian; George W.; Margaret, who is the wife of David E. Fisher; Marcellus; Alice, who is the wife of Marks Tea; Charles Fremont; Flora, who is the wife of IT. F. Weber; and William.

Christian Hoover had public school advantages as they were offered when he was a boy, and since then has devoted himself entirely to agricultural pursuits and since the age of four years has lived on his present farm, which is generally known as the old Hoover homestead. He no longer does more than overlook his farm, having placed all the practical responsibilities on the sturdy shoulders of his sons, who are capable and thorough farmers.

In i SC)S Mr. Hoover was married to Miss Lorenna Kirby, who was born in Crawford county, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Welch) Kirby, old settlers here and well known people. Mrs. Hoover died Nov. 8, 1909, and her burial was in Oakwood cemetery, Hucyrus. Two brothers and one sister survive her: John, George and Emma, who is the wife of James Orr. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoover the following children were born: Ernest, who married Nona Flock, and has four children, Hugh, AJice, Florence and Lucile; Burdett K., who married Elnora Ouaintance, and has two children, Chester and Hazel; Charles F., who married Nora Kerr and has five children, Helen, Wayne, Clifford, Marjorie and an infant; Maud; and Madge, who is the wife of Arlington Blair and has three children, Hoover, 'Thomas and a child unnamed. Mr. Hoover is a Republican in his political sentiments and occasionally has consented to serve his township in public office, for three years being a trustee, serving through an important period of the township’s history. With his family he attends the Methodist Episcopal church.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHRISTIAN HOOVER, farmer; P. 0. Wyandot; was born Sept. 22, 1844, in Antrim Township, Crawford Co., but shortly after his birth, Wyandot Co. was organized and Dallas Township formed, which included the farm upon which Christian wag born; he is at the present time living on a portion of this land which his grandfather, Christian Hoover, settled upon in 1822, and shortly afterward purchased from the Government. His only son.

William Hoover, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born Nov. 1, 1816, in Pickaway Co., and was but 6 years of age when his father removed to Crawford. William was married, Oct. 18, 1838, to Miss Phoebe Swisher, of Groveport, Franklin Co. They were the parents of ten children, five boys and five girls; these children are all living. Christian Hoover is the second son, he received a thorough education in the common branches at the district schools of his township; his first teacher was Archibald Beels, now an editor at South Bend, Ind. When he grew old enough to work, he labored on the farm, assisting his father until he became of age. In the sjjring of 1866, he commenced to farm for himself, and has been engaged at this occupation ever since with more or less success; he has paid some attention to the raising of stock, but his income has been derived from farming more than from stock-rearing. He was married Oct. 21, 1868, to Miss Lo Kirby, and they are the parents of five children, four are still living, three boys and one girl — Ernest, Burdette K., Charles W. and Maud. Mr. Hoover has never been anxious to serve the people in an official capacity, but has been frequent chosen to conduct the business of the school district.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

GEORGE W. HOOVER, a representative citizen of Bucyrus, O., a retired farmer who has resided in this city for some seven years and is well known in many circles, is a member of one of the old families of Ohio, the name being connected with pioneer settlement. He was born in Dallas township, Crawford county, O., and is a son of William and Phebe (Swisher) Hoover, a grandson of Christopher and a great-grandson of George Hoover.

George Hoover was probably of German ancestry but he was born in Virginia and from there came to the Western Reserve and secured government land in what is now Pickaway county, prior to 1803, when the territory became a state. Christopher Hoover was born about 1785 and grew to manhood on his father’s farm in Pickaway county. His first wife died there and he married a second and with his family moved to Crawford county and, like his father, secured government land. He became a successful farmer and accumulated property and fell justified in retiring from active life, moving then to Sandusky in the early lit ties. They succumbed to cholera in the prevailing epidemic and both died on the same day. By his first marriage, Christopher Hoover had two children, William and Hannah. The latter married Wesley White and they lived and died in Dallas township and three of their children survive.

William Hoover was reared in Dallas township and naturally became a farmer, lie continued to farm and raise stock until 1860, when he came to Bucyrus, where subsequently he went into business as a member of the linn of Fry, Sheckley & Hoover, which was merged into the large enterprise now known as the American Clay Machinery Company, in which he was a large stockholder, llis death occurred in June, 1897, when he was eighty-one years. He was married in Franklin county, O., to Phebe Swisher, who died at Bucyrus on May 9, 1911, having passed her ninety-fourth birthday. She and husband were members of the English Lutheran church. Of their ten children eight survive, three of whom live in Crawford county and two in the city of Bucyrus: George W and Mrs. Thomas Jessem.

George W. Hoover was the fourth born child in his parents’ family and the third son. His birth took place on the old homestead on January 27, 1847. He attended school in Dallas township and later at Bucyrus, after which he engaged actively in agricultural pursuits until 1903, when he retired and established his home at Bucyrus. He still owns his excellent farm in Bucyrus township but no longer operates it. Mr. Hoover, like his late father, is a stanch republican but he has never been willing to accept public office. He has never married.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

BURDETT KIRBY HOOVER, who owns and operates a farm of 80 acres in Dallas township, was born in this township, Dec. 7, 1870, a son of Christian and Lorena (Kirby) Hoover. He is a grandson of William and l’hebe (Swisher) Hoover, the former of whom was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, but who passed the greater part of his life as a farmer in Crawford county. By his wife, Phebe, who was born in Franklin county, O., he had ten children, namely: John I' Emma, wife ol Henry AT. Welsh; Christian; George V.; Alargaret, wile ol David F. Fisher; Alareellus; Alice, wife of Alarks Tea; Charles Fremont; Nora, wife of If. F. Weber; and William.

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Christian Hoover, father of our subject, was educated in the public schools and was brought up to agriculture. Since he was four years old he has resided on the old Hoover homestead, which is operated now by his sons, under his direction, he having retired practically from active labor. He was married in 1868 to Lorena Kirby, who was born in Craw lord county, a daughter of Samuel and Alary (Welsh) Kirby. Mrs. Christian Hoover died Nov. 8, 1909. Two brothers and a sister survive her — John, George and Emma, the last mentioned being the wife of James Orr. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hoover were as follows: Ernest, who married Nonia Flock and has four children — Hugh, Alice, Florence and Lucile; Burdett K., whose name heads this article; Charles F., who married Nora Kerr and has five children — Helen, Wayne, Clifford, Marjorie and Dorothy; Maud; and Madge, who is the wife of Arlington Blair and has three children— Hoover, Thomas and a child unnamed. Christian Hoover is a Republican politically and has served the township as trustee, showing himself a capable man of affairs. He attends the M. E. church.

Burdett Iv. Hoover after attending the common schools in his boyhood, turned his attention to farming. 1 le w'worked under his father until he w'as about 29 years old, after which he rented land for six years, two years of this time in Holmes township and four years in Bucyrus township. He then bought his present farm of A. W. Blair and is engaged in general farming, keeping enough stock for his own use. Like his father, he is a Republican, and he served as township clerk for some years and for two years as treasurer.

He was married in 1901 to Olive Ouaintance, a daughter of Aaron John and Mary (Heller) Ouaintance. Mrs. Hoover’s parents are farming people of Holmes township, her father being a veteran of the Civil war. Their children are J. B., Leroy, Daniel, Etta, wife of J. W. Dobbins, Blanche, wife of B. S. Kimmel, Oscar, James, Olive nenv Mrs. B. K. Hoover, Orrel, and Ona. wife of Albert Brown. Mr. and Mrs. B. K. Hoover are the parents of two children; Chester, Lavernc and I hazel Anita. The family attend the United Brethren Alt. Zion church in Dallas township.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHARLES F. HOOVER, who carries on general farming and stock-raising in Bucyrus township, Crawford county, O., where he and wife own eighty-five acres of valuable land, additionally operates 150 acres belonging to another party. Mr. Hoover is a native of Crawford county and was born in Dallas township, December 18, 1873, and is a son of Christian and Lorena ( Kirby) Hoover, the former of whom is a retired farmer of Dallas township. The latter died December 8, 1910. Of their children, Charles E. is the third in order of birth, the others being: Ernest B., Bardette K., Maud, and Madge, who is the wife of Arlington L. Blair.

Charles F. Hoover completed the common school course in Dallas township and then became a student in the Ohio Northern University, at Ada, O., remaining for three years, after which he taught school in Crawford county for about twelve years. Since retiring from the educational field he has devoted himself entirely to agricultural pursuits and is numbered with the progressive and successful farmers of this section.

In October, 1897, Mr. Hoover was married to Miss Elnora Kerr, who was born in Bucyrus township, on the present farm of herself and husband, and is a daughter of George T. and Lydia (Eekelberry) Kerr, early settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr had the following children: Bertie, who is the wife of Irvin Dickey; Elnora, who is the wife of Mr. Hoover; Ileva, who is the wife of Fred Albright; Clementine, who is the wife of W. Hudson; Ava, who is the wife of Floyd Hull, and Walter. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover have the following children: Helen, Wayne, Clifford, Marjorie and Doris Lillian. Mr. Hoover and family attend the United Brethren church. He is a Republican in his political sentiments and while living in Dallas township, served three terms as township clerk. He is identified with but one fraternal organization, the Knights of Pythias, attending at Bucyrus and taking much interest in the order.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE M. HOOVER,* who is identified with one of the great industries of Bucyrus, O., being connected with the ordering department of the American Clay Machinery Company, was born in Delaware county, O., in the city of Galena, in 1858, and is a son of Isaac M. and Sylvia (Pond) Hoover.

Isaac M. Hoover was born in Pennsylvania and his wife in Maryland, and their families moved to Granville, O., where they met and were married in 1836. When a young man lie learned the marble and stone cutting trade but later he became a cooper and found the cooperage business a profitable one while living at Chillicothe and Galena. This was before the day of machine-made barrels and Mr. Hoover was able to secure his raw material from the forest and perform every operation that turned it out a completed barrel or hogshead. He was a very deft worker in wood and made a specialty of manufacturing measures of various capacity, all of his work bearing the stamp of the honest craftsman. His death occurred from an attack of heart failure, at Columbus, in 1885, when he was aged 74 years. His widow survived him for three years, her death occurring at the home of a daughter, Mrs. J. J. Mazurie, at Urichsville, O. Formerly they were identified with the Baptist church but later became Presbyterians. Three of their sons served as soldiers in the Civil War.

George M. Hoover enjoyed excellent educational advantages, attending school at Galena; later at Scio College lie pursued higher branches and subsequently was graduated from the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. For some years he was interested in the hotel and restaurant business and afterward engaged in raising high grade stock at Bradford Junction, in Miami county, and in partnership with Abner Jennings, at Urbana, O. Mr. Ploover then conducted the Sea Side Hotel at Delmar, Calif., for twelve years and then returned eastward, purchasing a stock farm near Terre Haute, Tnd., which he managed for five years. Tn 1893 he became agent for the Pennsylvania Short Line Railroad, a position he filled for eight years. This road was built by the firm of Frost, Stearns & Hoover (the junior partner being Mr. Hoover’s brother), as contractors, and when the road was entirely completed, Gilbert C. Hoover served as treasurer of the operating company until his retirement from business in 1900, his death following later. He was one of the substantial and representative men of the city. In July 1901, George M.. Hoover came to the American Clay Machinery Company and since then has been the efficient head of the ordering department.

Mr. Hoover was married to Miss Rachel A. Grass, who was born and educated at Covington, O. and they have two sons: Harry G., who is office manager of the Gulbranson Piano Player Company, of Chicago, Ill., and married Celia Auck, of Bucyrus; and Herbert R. B. Mr. Hoover and family belong to the Presbyterian church. In politics, with his sons, he is a Republican.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM F. HOOVER, whose valuable farm of 115 acres lies three miles west of Bucyrus, O., was born on this place, July 27, 1872, and has spent his life there engaged in farming and stock raising. His parents were Jacob and Fredericka (Haffner) Hoover.

Jacob Hoover was one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Holmes township, Crawford county, O. He was born in Wittenberg, Germany, came to the United States in 1851 at the age of 19 years and settled in Crawford county, where he died July 7, 1900, having spent all his life in this county after emigrating to this country. This section of the county was a wilderness when he came here, he securing his land in Holmes township, in 1868. Where now stands Roher's planing mill was a burnt over tract with stumps left and where other industries are now carried on was still forest, swamp and brush. For three years after reaching Crawford county he lived at Bucyrus and afterward for a time on another tract and then secured the present homestead, which he cleared and built the residence that still serves. He married Fredericka Hafifner, who was born m Germany and came to the United States when 14 years of age. Ten children were born to them, the survivors being: Mrs. Elizabeth Mollenkopf, who is a resident of Galion, O.; Mrs. Martha Quaintance, who lives at Bucyrus; Mary, who lives with her brother, William F., on the home place; and Mrs. Minnie McGarry, who is a resident of Cleveland, O.

William F. Hoover obtained his education in the public schools of Holmes township and has devoted all his mature life to carrying on his agricultural activities. He has brought the land to a fine state of cultivation and has made many substantial improvements here. Mr. Hoover keeps well informed concerning all that goes on in the world and does his full duty as a citizen in local matters. In his political views he is a Republican. Mr. Hoover has never married.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

LINCOLN HOOVER, who is one of the substantial citizens and prosperous farmers of Vernon township, Crawford county, O., successfully carries on general farming and stock raising on his improved tract of 60 acres, which lies six miles northwest of Crestline, O. He was born in Crawford county in 1864, and is a son of Gideon and Nancy (Teeter) Hoover.

Both the Hoovers and Teeters came originally from Germany and many of the name can be found in different sections of the United States. Gideon Hoover was born in Maryland and his wife in Richland county, O., the Teeters having come to Ohio from Pennsylvania. To Gideon Hoover and wife ten children were born: John, Moses, Lavina, Aaron, Amos, Alice, Lincoln, Frank, Henry and Lotta, and of the above, Moses, Aaron and Amos, are all deceased. John married Amanda Buck and they live in Vernon township and have five children: Wilson, Ladena, Silas B., Anna and Fern. Lavina married John Parr and they live in Sandusky township and have six children: Calvin, Nancy, Gideon, Amanda, Bertha and Lotta. Alice married Quinn Dewalt and they live in Crawford county and have four children: Stella, Clark, Nancy and Mary. Frank, who married Nellie Dewalt, lives in Sandusky township and has four children: Vance, Lorin, Mary and Amos. Henry lives in Richland county and has two children: Nancy and Frank. Nancy, the wife of Gideon Hoover died Jan. 4, 1900. They were both well known people, members of the LTnited Brethren church.

Lincoln Hoover obtained a district school education and continued on the home farm with his father until he was 27 years of age and then bought his first farm but sold it after operating it for a time and then purchased his present more desirable one. Here he has everything convenient and in good shape, his improvements including the erection of substantial buildings and keeping them in order, and investing in good stock and improved farm machinery. His time and attention are mainly devoted to his agricultural operations and he is numbered with the most successful men in this line in this section.

Mr. Hoover was married to Miss Minnie Bilsing, a daughter of Adam and Lavina (Swisher) Bilsing. The parents of Mrs. Bilsing had the following children: John H., who lives in Kansas; Barnett, who lives near Crestline, O.; Albert, who lives in Vernon township; a son that died in infancy; Mollie and Anna, both of whom are deceased; Eliza, who lives in Washington; Flora, deceased, who married Prof. Frank Brining, a college professor in India; and Minnie. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover have three children: Bessie, Adam and Ivan. Bessie is the wife of George Wert, and they reside in Crawford county. Mr. Hoover and family are members of the United Brethren church, of which he is a trustee and which he is serving as treasurer. Politically he is a Republican but has never cared for public office, serving, however, at one time, as township constable.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.