Samuel Rhodes Hockman

As printed in 1902

SAMUEL R. HOCKMAN.

Samuel Rhodes Hockman since 1876 has owned and operated the Eagle City Mills in German township, on the banks of Mad river, and is a well known and worthy representative of the industrial interests of this portion of the county. He was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, near Woodstock, September 26, 182 1, and is a son of Peter and Rebecca (Rhodes) Hockman. His grandfather, George Hockman, was also a native of Shenandoah county, born April 26, 1777, and his death occurred April 21, 1847. The father of our subject, was a farmer by occupation, carrying on agricultural pursuits throughout his business career. He passed away December II, 1873, at the age of seventy-three years, eightmonths and eleven days, while his wife who was born November 17, 1798, died in Virginia, April 7, 1878.

Mr. Hockman of this review remained with his parents until he had attaijied his majority, at which time he secured employment in a mill at Tomsbrook, in his native county, entering the services nf William Wright, with whom he remained for a year.

receiving five dollars per month in compensation for his labor. He was then able to dei a journeyman's work, and manifested such efficiency that not long afterward he obtained a position as foreman of a mill. He also operated rented mills in different places.

On the 29th O'f January, 1852, in Shenandoah county, Virginia, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hockman and Miss Eliza Gochenour, who was born in that county February 14, 1829, the youngest daughter of Christian Gochenour and his wife, who were likewise natives of Virginia. As Mr. Hcckman was a miller he was exempt from military service in the Civil war. He lived,, however, in the path of the contending armies and had to grind grain for both the Union and Confederate troops. He also suffered considerable loss because of the conditions O'f the war and a'fter its close he came to Ohio in 1867, having just about enough money to bring him to this locality. He had a brother living in Champaign county and was thus induced to seek a home in this state. Mr. Hockman worked by the month for a year at fifty dollars per month. He afterward rented mills, which he conducted until 1876, when he purchased the Eagle City Mills, becoming the owner of a half interest and of twelve acres of land. After two years he became sole proprietor and has since conducted the mill with good success. In 1885 he equipped it with a full roller process and is now doing a good business in the manufacture of flour, the sales of his product being quite extensive. He also bought other land until he now has eighty-five acres.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hockman have been born ten children: klilton Henry, born November 11, 182, married Ella Dietrich.

and lives in German township. niey have three children — Ada, who is keeping house for her grandfather; Nora and Ida. Lydia Catherine, horn April 6, 1854, in Shenandoah county, Virginia, is the wife of George Swartz of German township, and.they have two children, Elma and Cora. Mary M., born in Virginia April 6, 1858, died March i, 1885, and was buried at Tremont. John Martin, born September 14, 1859, in Virginia, married Anna Christ, and they have two children, Effie and Noah. William A., born November 2, 1862, in Virginia, married Edna Mann, by whom he had one child, Wesley. He afterward married Miss Grirbe and his third wife bore the maiden name! of Agnes Markee. Their home is near New Carlisle, Ohio. Benjamin F., born in Virginia, March 18, 1865, is married and lives at Sumner, Illinois. Samuel D., born in Virginia, January 8, 1867. is a dentist, practicing in Charleston, Illinois. Enma \' Imhii in Campaign county, Ohio, April 19, 1869, is the wife of Thomas H. Prosser, who was born in Monmouthshire, England. October 7, 1870, and came to America with his parents when ten years of age. Anna R. died in childhood. Betty, born August 12, 1874, is the wife of Charles Shoup, of Pike township.

Mr. Hockman is not a politician nor an office seeker. He served, however, as postmaster of Eagle City for twenty-two years for the accommodation of the neighborhood. He was reared in the faith of the German Baptist church and he has always lived an upright, honorable life, characterized by diligence and perseverance. All that he possesses has come to him as the direct reward of his earnest labor, and the popular miller of Eagle City is widely and favorably known.

As printed in A Biographical record of Clark county, Ohio .. (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.