BIOGRAPHY: Ezra M. HOOPES, Mifflin County, PA

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The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising 
the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania.
Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, pages 653-654.

  EZRA M. HOOPES, deceased, formerly of Milroy, Mifflin, Pa., was born near 
Westtown, Chester county, Pa., December 24, 1822.  He is the son of Isaac and 
Hannah (Jones) Hoopes.  His parents had ten children.
  Ezra M. Hoopes attended the public schools of Chester county until he was 
sixteen, when he was apprenticed to Mr. Pennock, blacksmith, at Kennett Square, 
Chester county.  After his term of service expired, he spent one year at the 
Westtown Academy, and at the close of the term returned to Kennett Square, and 
for some years worked as a journeyman for his former master.  In 1847 he went to 
Lewistown, Pa., to find work at his trade, but after a short time he removed to 
Milroy, and found employment in the establishment of Col. William Reed, 
manufacture of grain drills.  Several years later he formed a partnership with 
Mr. Barger in the firm of Barger & Hoopes, blacksmiths.  In 1864 the firm made a 
contract to build and grade the railroad between Reedsville and Milroy.  When 
this work was completed, Mr. Hoopes enlisted, March 16, 1865, in Company C, One 
Hundred and Second Pennsylvania Volunteers, Capt. Samuel Matthews.  He had, 
however, served only a few months when, the war being over, he was mustered out 
at Washington, D. C., June 28, 1865.  Returning to Milroy, he became a member of 
the firm of Hoopes & Harvey, blacksmiths and wheelwrights.  Their business 
prospered, and the partnership continued until the time of his death, December 
28, 1886.  Mr. Hoopes was a poor boy, but although he had no money with which to 
begin business, he had energy, industry and perseverance, and by the right use 
of this capital he was able to earn a competence for himself and his family.  He 
belonged to the Republican party, but was never prominent in political circles.  
He was a consistent member of the Free church of Milroy.
  Ezra M. Hoopes was married, July 1, 1853, to Bandena, daughter of Nicholas and 
Sarah (Yohn) Lyons.  Their children are:  Henry Orr, was burned to death, aged 
seventeen;  Jeremiah, died in infancy;  Sarah Yohn, died, aged seven;  Ira 
Thompson, married Annie Daniels;  Jennie (Mrs. Edwin Jefferis);  Mary Griffith;  
William Lyons;  Anna L.;  Ralph Maclay;  and Roland Eldridge.  William Lyons 
Hoopes received a classical education.  When he was twenty-one he removed to the 
West, but remained only eighteen months, and returning to Pennsylvania, began to 
read law with his uncle, the Hon. Judge Lyons, of Juniata county.  April 28, 
1890, he was admitted to the bar in Juniata county, where he is now practising.
  Mrs. Hoopes' parents had twelve children:  Elizabeth, died at the age of 
twenty;  John, married Elizabeth Bixler, has five children;  Margaret (Mrs. 
Joseph Moul), has seven children;  David, died aged twenty;  Mary Ann (Mrs. 
Jonathan Swartz), has seven children;  Sarah (Mrs. Jacob Krotzing), has seven 
children;  Daniel, married Ann Rice, has ten children;  Bandena (Mrs. Ezra M. 
Hoopes);  Julia (Mrs. Peter Smith), has five children;  Ellen (Mrs. Jacob 
Bixler), has eight children;  Jeremiah, presiding judge of Juniata county, 
married Ada Thompson;  and Rebecca (Mrs. William Trostle), has six children.