A Pennsylvania Dutch Genealogy
the genealogy & family research site of Kris Hocker
John C. FORCE (1870-1890)
John W. FORCE, the oldest son of Martin S. and Delilah N. (HAMILTON) FORCE, was born 23 Jan 1785 and was killed in action on 9 Nov 1918 in the Argonne Forest, France during World War I. He served in Company H, 314th Infantry, 79th Division.
I’ve recently been researching the Hoover families of Licking County, Ohio. If you’ve been following the Andrew Hoover family data that I’ve been putting up, you’ll have noticed that Henry2 Hoover (Andrew1) moved to Johnstown, Licking County, Ohio from Greene Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania (prior to that Wharton Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania) sometime between the 1810 census1 and 1815.2 Louella Hoover indicated in her research that Henry’s elder brother John might have also moved to Ohio. So, I’ve been following up on that premise…
Looking at the early census records (1820-1850), I put together the following table to help track the individuals/families through the years. I use it to help postulate relationships between people and “movements” around the county.
| Head of Household | 1820 | 1830 | 1840 | 1850 |
| Franklin Township | ||||
| John Hoover | 45+ | |||
| Charles Hoover | 26-45 | |||
| Newark Township | ||||
| John Hoover | 80-90 | n/a | n/a | |
| Charles Hoover | 40-50 | 40-50 | 60 | |
| Barbara Hoover | 70-80 | 97 | ||
| Jesse Hoover | 20-30 | 33 | ||
| Monroe Township | ||||
| Emanuel Hoover | 26-45 | n/a | ||
| George Hoover | 45+ | 50-60 | n/a | |
| Samuel Hoover | 16-26 | 30-40 | 40-50 | n/a |
| Henry Hoover | 45+ | n/a | ||
| MM Hoover (Mahlon) | 20-30 | 30-40 | 46 | |
| Mary Hoover | 40-50 | [60-70; James] | 69 | |
| James Hoover | 30-40 | 43 | ||
| Anna Hoover | 54 | |||
| Saphrona Hoover | 20-30 | |||
| Elizabeth Hoover | [70-80, E Pratt] | 86 | ||
| Hartford Township | ||||
| John Hoover | 45+ | 60-70 | 70-80 | 83 |
| Samuel Hoover | 26-45 | 30-40 | n/a | |
| John Hoover Jr. | 30-40 | 40-50 | 49 | |
| William Hoover | 20-30 | |||
| Harmon Hoover | 20-30 | |||
| Lois Hoover | 72 | |||
| Zenas Hoover | 25 | |||
| Licking Township | ||||
| John H. Hoover | 36 | |||
| Thomas Hoover | 28 | |||
| Bowling Green Township | ||||
| Isaac Hoover | 16-26 | |||
| Grand Township | ||||
| Isaac Hoover | 20-30 | |||
| St Albans Township | ||||
| Isaac Hoover | 20-30 | |||
| Madison Township | ||||
| John Hoover | 20-30 | |||
| Etna Township | ||||
| David Hoover | 24 | |||
Franklin/Newark Townships
Looking at Franklin and Newark Townships, it’s possible to theorize that the John Hoover and Charles Hoover in Franklin Township in 1820 are the same men as the John and Charles in Newark Township in 1830, etc. The ages in subsequent census records match up nicely. Also, you could also hypothesize that Barbara Hoover (1840, 1850) is the widow of John Hoover, and possibly the mother or stepmother of Charles Hoover—especially as she is a member of his household in 1850. There is a female 45+ (1820) and 70-80 (1830) in John’s household, quite likely this Barbara. The Jesse Hoover is possibly a son of Charles Hoover. Although Charles doesn’t have any young males in his household in 1830, John does have a male 10-15 (Jesse would be 13). John and his wife, I would presume, were too old have had a child that age, so it is quite likely that it’s a younger family member—such as a grandson, living with them and helping them out.
It’s also possible to postulate that John Hoover of Franklin and Newark townships was the son of Andrew Hoover of Fayette County. John2 Hoover (Andrew1) was born circa 1744 in Germany, making him 76 in 1820 and 86 in 1830, matching the census ages of John from Franklin and Newark townships. He most likely died prior to 1840. There is a John George Hoover of Licking county who died in 1834, buried in the 6th Street Cemetery. However, he’s listed as a veteran of the Revolutionary War.3 Our Hoover did not fight in the war.4 So, it’s quite possible I’m completely out in left field about this John Hoover! That, of course, is the problem with theories. They may help create avenues of new research, but they’re also sometimes simply wrong.
There was a John H. Hoover, a miller, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1814 and came to Newark with his grandfather “when quite young.”5 His wife Sarah was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1814 and came to Newark in 1829. Her cousin was the wife of Charles Hoover—perhaps the Charles Hoover in the census records? This John would have been the correct age to be the male <10 in 1820 and 10-15 in 1830 in the household of John Hoover. Perhaps John H. Hoover’s father died in Pennsylvania and he went to live with his grandparents who went to Licking County before 1820?
Monroe Township
It’s a bit easier in Monroe Township. Henry Hoover (45+, 1820) is the son of Andrew Hoover of Fayette County, Pennsylvania. He died in Johnstown, Monroe Township on 23 Sep 1823. Emanuel Hoover is his son and Mahlon and James Hoover are his grandsons. Mary Hoover is Emanuel’s widow. This family is well documented. That leaves George Hoover (45+, 1820), Samuel Hoover, Anna Hoover, Saphrona Hoover, and Elizabeth Hoover to ponder.
George Hoover is of the correct age to have been the eldest son of Henry2 Hoover, born in Maryland in 1771—age 49 in 1820 and 59 in 1830. He, perhaps, died prior to 1840, leaving a widow—Elizabeth? Elizabeth Hoover was living in the household of Eli Pratt in 1850.6 According to that record she was 86 years old, born in Maryland. A female 70-80 is in Eli Pratt’s household in 1840, quite likely the same Elizabeth Hoover.7
So, who was Samuel Hoover? Possibly a son of George Hoover? The 1800 Wharton township census records of George Hoover include 3 males age <10 (born 17900-1800). Samuel would fit right into the family. So, this is one possibility. It needs much more research to prove, however. Anna Hoover could possibly be Samuel’s widow. The 1850 census record for Anna states that she was born in Maryland.
Hartford Township
In Hartford Township, the senior most Hoover is John Hoover (45+, 1820). Lois Hoover is his wife—they’re listed together in the 1850 U.S. census.8 John is of the correct age to be a son of John2 Hoover (Andrew1). However, at this point there is no proof of any relationship. Unfortunately, people of the same surname in the same location are not always related.
Samuel, John and William are quite possibly sons of John of Hartford Township, while Harmon and Zenas may be grandsons. I saw a post on a message board that stated Samuel Hoover and his wife Phebe sold their farm in Hartford Township in 1839—moving out of the county prior to 1840?9
Census records alone don’t prove much of anything—especially since the pre-1850 records only provide the name of the head of household, not the household’s members. So, I can only speculate that the members of those households are, in fact, Hoovers, are related to the head of the household, and that there is some relationship between households of the same name within the same jurisdiction.
That said, there is sufficient evidence to convince me that it would be worthwhile to dig for more records. I could possibly learn more about John2 Hoover (Andrew1) and George3 Hoover (Henry2, Andrew1). Considering how little I currently I know about these family members, I believe follow-up is definitely warranted.
Do you have information on these Licking County Hoovers? Are you looking for information on these families? Drop me a line and let me know. I’d love to collaborate.
Update (11/14/2016): John Hoover of Franklin and Newark Townships was born in Germany and came to the US about 1775. He was indentured to Jacob Hoover of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and served in the Revolutionary War in the Pennsylvania line. He and Barbara had 14 children, the eldest of whom was 53 on 27 March 1838. Per his pension file, John and Barbara married about 1784 in Chester County about twenty miles west of Philadelphia.
Edwin and Ida Cramer gravestone
Edwin H. (also Edward) CRAMER, son of Lot Irvin and Lucy Dale (GAULT) CRAMER, was born Jan 1872 and died in 1933. In Jul 1904, he married Ida Mae HOOVER, daughter of Samuel Thomas and Victoria (WALKER) HOOVER. Ida was born May 1885 and died in 1961. The couple was buried together in the Advent Cemetery in Pine Glen, Burnside Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania.
I found these definitions listed on the Chester County [PA] Archives website and found them very helpful. So, I thought I’d share them.
Types of tax records:
Types of individuals listed in tax records:
I find this list particularly helpful. I’ve always wondered at the definition of “inmate” and how old a man had to be before he was officially “of age” and therefore could be listed in tax records. Can I also assume he couldn’t own property on his own (without a guardian) until he was 21? If you know, please leave a comment.
Clarence G. HOOVER (1895-1902)
Clarence G. HOOVER, son of Samuel Thomas and Victoria (WALKER) HOOVER, was born 24 Mar 1895 in Pine Glen, Burnside Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania and died 1 Apr 1902, also in Pine Glen. He was buried in Advent Cemetery.
George and Lovina (Force) Houdeshell
George W. HOUDESHELL, son of Benjamin and Phoebe (MAYES) HOUDESHELL, was born 28 Dec 1868 in Snow Shoe, Snow Shoe Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania and died 29 Nov 1941 in Philipsburg, Rush Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania. He was buried in Advent Cemetery in Pine Glen, Burnside Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania on 2 Dec 1941.
George married on20 Jun 1890 Lovina Caroline FORCE, daughter of Jefferson and Susan (MULHOLLAN) FORCE. Lovina was born 28 Jan 1872 in Pine Glen, Burnside Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania and died 28 Oct 1964 also in Pine Glen. She was buried in Advent Cemetery with her husband on 31 Oct 1964.
Susan Mulhollan FORCE (1840-1917)
Susan MULHOLLAN, daughter of John and Emily (BOILEAU) MULHOLLAN, was born 14 Jul 1841, according to her death certificate and 17 Jul 1840, according to her gravestone. She died 17 Oct 1917 in Pine Glen, Burnside Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania. She married Jefferson FORCE on 22 Mar 1857. Jefferson was born 9 Dec 1883 and died 20 Oct 1910. The couple is buried in the Advent Cemetery in Pine Glen.