BIO: Samuel HOOVER, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ 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. _____________________________________________________________________ SAMUEL HOOVER, a leading citizen and extensive farmer and cider manufacturer, residing at Hannah Furnace, Taylor township, Centre county, was born February 21, 1838, in York county, Penn., of which county his parents, Philip and Lena (Grenewolt) Hoover, were also natives, the former born July 27, 1810, and the latter February 3, 1816. In 1841 they removed to Huntingdon county, where they remained until the spring of 1850, when they went to Tyrone, Blair Co., Penn., and in the spring of 1860 came to Centre county, locating on the farm where our subject now resides. The father was a prominent and wealthy farmer, and held several local positions of honor and trust to the satisfaction of all concerned. Politically he was a stanch Democrat and attended the Lutheran Church, in which his wife held membership. Both died on the farm at Hannah Furnace, the father on December 23, 1871, and the mother on April 20, 1888. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Henry Hoover, and the material grandfather were of German descent and spent their entire lives in York county, this State. Samuel Hoover is third in order of birth in a family of ten children, the others being as follows: Susan, born January 22, 1833, died at the age of six months; Henry, born July 1, 1835, died in Texas while serving in the Union army during the Civil war; Daniel, born May 4, 1840, died from the effects of fever contracted in the army; Philip born October 29, 1843, was a Union soldier and is now engaged in the butchering business in Arizona; John, born April 6, 1845, conducts a meat market in Blair county, Penn.; Zachariah, born October 25, 1847, died at Tyrone, Penn., by being thrown from a mule; George M., born April 4, 1850, died of fever; James F., born April 14, 1853, died of typhoid fever; and Alexander, born November 27, 1855, is a farmer of Centre county. While quietly an inmate of his father's house, the storm of the civil war broke over the country, and in response to the call of the general government for men, Samuel Hoover enlisted in 1861, in Company C, 14th P.V.I., under Captain Crouder, and remained in the service until the expiration of his term of three months. Returning home he there remained until 1863, when he embarked in the dairy business at Altoona, Penn., but in 1864, enlisted for one year COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 232 in Company C, 208th P.V.I., which was organized at Harrisburg, Penn., September 13, 1864, and was assigned to the First Brigade, Third Division, Ninth Army Corps. He was mustered into the United States service at Camp Curtin, and participated in many battles and skirmishes, including the engagements at Fort Steadman, Petersburg and Appomattox. He was never wounded, and at the close of the war he received an honorable discharge and returned home, where he has since engaged in agricultural pursuits. On December 25, 1862, Mr. Hoover was married to Rosanna V. Rush, who was born in 1839 and died in 1869. Three children graced this union: William T., now engaged in the implement business at Port Matilda, Penn.; Sallie, at home; and Philip A., also at home, who married Flora Beckwith and has one son, Samuel L. On February 9, 1872, Mr. Hoover, for his second wife, wedded Mrs. Maria (Keys) Benn, widow of Josiah Benn, by whom she has one daughter, Anna, now the wife of Harry Chaney, general manager of a coal mine at Broadtop, Penn. By his second marriage, Mr. Hoover had two children: Olga F., now deceased; and Linnie R., at home. Mrs. Hoover is a native of Centre county, and a daughter of George O. and Mary (Davidson) Keys. The former was born in New York, January 5, 1788, was a scholarly gentleman, a school teacher of profession, and an artist of considerable prominence. He held membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a pronounced Republican in politics. His death occurred August 4, 1855, and the mother of Mrs. Hoover departed this life June 21, 1874. She was born in Centre county, Penn, September 18, 1800, and was a daughter of James and Rebecca (Brown) Davidson, natives of Ireland and Huntingdon county, Penn., respectively. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Hoover were Jacob and Jemima Keys, who came to America from England and located in New York City, where the grandfather engaged in merchandising throughout his remaining days. To George O. and Mary (Davidson) Keys were born nine children: Andrew J. is deceased; Dr. William S. H. was born in Centre county in 1826 and attended the Lewistown Academy. He became a minister of the United Brethren Church, and in recognition of his scholarship and theological eminence the degrees of A. M. and D. D. were conferred upon him by Otterbein University of Lebanon, Penn. In 1878 he left that Church and joined the Presbyterian, of which he was ever afterward a prominent minister. He died at the age of sixty-six years. Rebecca J., the third child, is now the widow of George Sharrer, of Philadelphia. David is deceased. Maria is the wife of our subject. Almira is the wife of Jacob Condo, a carpenter of Altoona, Penn. Harriet O. married Adam Goss, but both are now deceased. James W. is a patternmaker of Harrisburg, Penn. The father of this family was twice married, his first union being with Eliza Funk, who was born April 28, 1788, and died August 27, 1822. Two children were born to them: Henry K., now deceased and George W., now a farmer of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover occupy a most elegant residence, situated on an elevation and commanding a fine view of the surrounding beautiful country. There they delight to entertain their many friends, their latchstring always hanging out. Politically, he is an ardent Democrat, and socially is connected with the Grand Army Post at Tyrone, and the Odd Fellows Lodge at Port Matilda, Penn. A man of unquestioned integrity in business and social circles, he stands deservedly high, and has the happy faculty of easily making friends and always retaining them.