In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1856
From History of Allen County, Ohio : containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; hist (1885)
CHARLES A. HOVER, merchant, Spencerville, a son of Cyrus and Martha (Past) Hover, was born in Delphos, Ohio, October 25, 1856. He was raised on a farm, and having obtained a fair education in the common and academic schools, taught more or less for several years. His first business enterprise was at Spencerville, with R. H. Harbison, to whom he sold out his interest after fifteen months’ partnership. In August, 1883, he purchased a stock of groceries and again embarked in mercantile business, and in February of the year following, took in as partner J. M. Biner; Their trade is steadily on the increase, as a result of close attention to business and the courteous manner in which they attend to the wants of their customers. Mr. Hover was married September 21, 1881, to Miss Mercy E., daughter of James and Jennie (Baker) Sunderland, born in Auglaize County, Ohio, March 28, 1856. They have been blessed with one child, Mercy W., born March 1, 1884. Mr. Hover is a member of the K. of P., Lima.
As printed in History of Allen County, Ohio : containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; hist (1885). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1885. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.