BIO: Grant HOOVER, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  GRANT HOOVER. Although the subject of this sketch is one of the 
younger business men of Bellefonte, Centre county, he has already won a 
high reputation for ability. In his chosen lines of insurance and real-
estate business he takes a leading place, and he is well and favorable 
known throughout the northern part of the State.
  The Hoover family were among the early settlers of Bald Eagle Valley, 
Centre county, and our subject's grandfather, George Hoover, was born 
and reared there, becoming a farmer by occupation, and continuing that 
occupation until his death in August, 1870, when he was aged sixty-nine 
years. The grandmother of our subject, Mrs. Esther Ann Hoover, who was 
born in 1810, is still alive and active, residing at Port Matilda, 
Centre county. Ten children were born to this estimable couple: Sarah 
Ann, who married S. Ludwig, and lives in Kansas; Harvey, our subject's 
father; Henry W., deceased, September 13, 1897, who was a lumberman of 
Bald Eagle Furnace, Blair Co., Penn.; Mary J., widow of L. Parker, of 
Kansas, residing in Penfield, Clearfield Co., Penn.; Martha, wife of 
George R. Eastman, of Curwensville, Penn.; John C., a wealthy resident 
of Julia Ann Furnace, Centre county; George W., president of Hoover, 
Hughes & Co., a well-known lumber firm of Philipsburg, Penn.; Jackson, 
a farmer, who died in 1875; Clarissa, who married A. W. Resse, of Port 
Matilda; and Philena, who died at an early age.
  Harvey Hoover, the father of our subject, was born in 1833, and 
received his education in the schools of Union township, Centre county. 
In early manhood he engaged in lumbering, but for some years he has 
followed agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Mary Catlow, a 
grandniece of Sir Robert Peel, and of this union nine children were 
born: Laura, who married J. E. Dailey, of Penfield, Clearfield county; 
Richard C., who lives in Bellefonte; Grant, our subject; Sherman, who 
is at home; Sallie C., who married Harry Esterline; the others, J. 
Clyde (a teacher in the public schools), George, Martha and Mary, 
reside with their parents.
  Grant Hoover was born August 6, 1865, in Bald Eagle Valley, Centre 
county, and was there reared to farm life, working for an uncle during 
boyhood while attending school. At sixteen he engaged in the lumber 
business, which he followed until 1892, conducting two or three mills 
in McKean county, in connection with contract work. After selling out 
his interest in this business to his partner, he went to Buffalo, and 
spent a short time as a traveling salesman in the lumber trade, but 
since his return to Centre county he has engaged in the real-estate 
business, and in an insurance agency, taking life, fire, and accident 
risks. Mr. Hoover is highly esteemed wherever he is known. He is an 
active and influential Republican, and was lately a candidate for the 
office of prothonotary, but withdrew in favor of Abraham B. Miller, a 
veteran of our Civil war. On January 2, 1890, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Edith B. Moore, a native of Milesburg, Penn., born August 5, 
1870, but their happiness was brief, the young bride passing to the 
unseen life October 18, 1890.

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  427 

  Mr. Hoover's mother was a daughter of the late Richard Catlow, nephew 
of Sir Robert Peel, and a learned and eloquent preacher in the U. B. 
Church. He inherited a fortune from the family estates in England, but 
preferred to reside in this country. For some time his home was in 
Clearfield county, but later he removed to a farm in Bald Eagle Valley, 
where for many years he followed the peaceful calling of agriculture. 
His death occurred in Unionville at the age of eighty-two years. His 
children were: David, who lives in Iowa; Mary (Mrs. Hoover); Sarah, 
widow of Philip Teats; Martha, deceased, who married Orange Hart, of 
Iowa; and William, who died in his youth.