Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens
Lawrence County Pennsylvania 1897
[p. 48] a resident of Shenango township, who is engaged in farming and fruit-raising on his farm about three miles southeast of New Castle, was born in that city, Oct. 18, 1849, and is a son of Ephraim and Rachel (Kocher) Hoover, the latter a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and a daughter of Frederick and Catherine (Smith) Kocher. Ephraim Hoover was a native of Redford Co., Pa., and a son of Martin and Margaret (Conner) Hoover, the latter a daughter of John Conner, who was a soldier of the War of 1812. Martin Hoover was born in Huntingdon Co., Pa. His son, Ephraim, came to Beaver County in 1834, when nine years of age, and when seventeen years old he began working in the rolling-mills under the employ of James D. White, and continued to work in the rolling-mills for thirty-nine years, working many years in Pittsburg, and being present during the big fire of April 10, 1845. He next lived in Youngstown, Ohio, and later made his home in Wheeling, W. Va. For twenty-two years, Mr. Hoover occupied the same house on Lawrence Street, New Castle, and in 1860 bought his present farm of thirty-one acres, lying on the southern edge of the city of New Castle, which farm he has planted to fruits of various kinds. Six children were born to him: Adam C.; James R., the subject of this sketch; Laura J., who became the wife of David Gaston; Willis H.; Della R., who married Dr. Joseph Cooper of New Castle, whose biography appears in full elsewhere in this volume; and Edith Emma. Mrs. Hoover is a devout member and constant attendant of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Hoover was for forty years a member of the M. E. Church, and then withdrew from that society, and joined the Disciples Church. He is an enthusiastic Odd Fellow, has been a member ever since Sept. 20, 1856, and is also a member of the Grand Lodge, and Grand Encampment.
James R. Hoover was reared in New Castle, and was a pupil in that city's public schools until he had reached the age of eighteen years, when he began working in the rolling-mills, where he was employed ten years. In 1876, he bought his present farm of fifty-two acres, which he utilizes in general farming and in raising fruits; he has in bearing 200 fine peach trees and 100 apple. He has identified himself with all the interests of his neighborhoods, and is one of the best citizens of a first-class community. He has been very successful in his agricultural ventures, and his love for the beautiful has led him to adorn his home, which everywhere shows evidences of his good taste and practical skill. On October 14, 1875, in Mahoningtown, occurred Mr. Hoover's marriage to Kate Lloyd, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Long) Lloyd, the latter a daughter of Arthur G. and Catherine (Thompson) Long, and granddaughter of Arthur G. Long, a native of Greenville, Pa., who owned a woolen mill on Big Run, which he operated many years. Arthur G. Long also owned a large tract of land along the stream, which is now a suburb of the city of New Castle, and has become a valuable piece of property in the hands of his heirs. Samuel Lloyd was born in Staffordshire, Eng., son of George and Mary (Bagget) Llovd, the latter a native of Darlinston, Staffordshire, Eng., and a daughter of Moses and Sarah (Wilkes) Baggett. Moses Bagget was a brick-maker, and a son of Samuel Bagget, also a brick-maker; each lived to be eighty years old. George Lloyd was a native of Shropshire, Eng., where he was born in 1780; he was an operative in the rolling-mills at Bilston, Eng., and lived to be sixty-nine years old. He was a son of William Lloyd, a charcoal burner, who lived to be upwards of eighty years of age. One of the great-grandfathers of Mrs. Hoover fought in the War of 1812. The union of our subject and his wife has been productive of ten children: Sarah R., deceased; Cora P., deceased; Ida M., deceased; Samuel Terry; James Edwards; Della and Walter, twins; Ethel; Viola; and Clara. Our subject is a Republican and thoroughly interested in the success of his party. Both he and his wife are members in good standing in the Center United Presbyterian Church of Shenango township, and may be found among the first in any church work.
Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens Lawrence County Pennsylvania
Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo, N.Y., 1897
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Updated: 14 Apr 2001