Month: May 2011

Tombstone Tuesday: George Hoover (1865-1930)

Kris Hocker on 31 May 2011

George and Omet Hoover gravestone
George and Omet Hoover gravestone

George and Omet Hoover gravestone

George Hoover, youngest son of Christian and Caroline (Kinnard) Hoover, was born 14 Apr 1865 in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, and died 19 Jan 1930 in Sterling Run, Lumber Township, Cameron County, Pennsylvania of a stroke. He married about 1898 Anna Meade. The couple had one child, a son, Omet who was born in Jan 1899 and died in 1901, presumably of drowning.

I took this photo at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Oak Hill, Karthaus Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. According to his death certificate, George was buried at the Pine Street cemetery in Gibson Township, Cameron County, Pennsylvania.

Remembering Our Military

Kris Hocker on 30 May 2011

William Hocker Jr. WWI Crew

In honor of Memorial Day, I’d like to take a moment to remember those in my family who’ve served in the military.

I grew up an Air Force brat. My father was Air Force ROTC in college and joined the Air Force upon graduation. We lived in multiple states and even overseas before his twenty years were up and he retired. He never fought in a war, but he served his country nonetheless.

My mother’s younger brother served in the Army during the Vietnam War.

My father’s dad, William Hocker, enlisted during World War II. A trick knee kept him stateside, but the Navy put his carpentry skills to use building at a Naval base in Florida.

William Hocker Jr. WWI Crew

My grandfather's building crew

This photo shows his crew. My grandfather is the second man from the left in the bottom row. The photo includes a list of names on the back for seven of the men: Chilton Butler (Kentucky), J. Julian Hugo (Connecticut), A.M. Wade (Kentucky), Roland Imbriaco (Providence, Rhode Island), L.W. T[??]asher (Georgia), Vernon Turner (Georgia), and James K. Collier (Mississippi). Unfortunately, I don’t know which name goes with which man and there are nine people in the photo.

Two of my great uncles also served during World War II: Harold Ruder, husband of my grandfather’s sister Bonnie, and William Wingeard, husband of my grandfather’s sister Betty Jean. Both were stationed overseas—Uncle Boots [Ruder] in Europe and Uncle Bill in the Pacific.

William Hocker's WWII crew names

Names from the back of the photo of William Hocker's WWII crew

All three have since passed on.

One of my Smith relatives served in France during World War I. William M. Smith Jr. supposedly enlisted in the Army under the assumed name John Norwood. He remained in France after the war.

At least three of my ancestors served during the Civil War. Christian Hoover was drafted for the Union Army from Jefferson County, Pennsylvania in 1863.1 According to the record, he was born in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania and was a farmer. It also states that he was 44 years old, with gray(?) eyes, brown hair, and fair skin, standing 5′ 11″ tall. I believe Christian’s brothers Ralston and Samuel both served, as did his cousin Christian R. Hoover. Ralston enlisted on 1 Aug 1861 in the 63rd Pennsylvania Infantry, Company D. He died at Baltimore Cross Roads, Virginia.2

Jefferson Force was drafted for the Union Army from Centre County in Jun 1863. He was a 33 year-old, married laborer who was born in Pennsylvania and resided in Burnside Township.3 He enlisted 20 Dec 1864 at Troy, Pennsylvania and was mustered out 17 Jul 1865 at Alexandria, Virginia. He served with the 45th Pennsylvania Infantry Volunteers, Company E IX Corps, 1st Brigade, 1st Division. His name is engraved on a plaque in Bellefonte, Centre County, Pennsylvania. Jefferson’s presumed brother Martin V. Force also served as a Private in Company E of the 5th Pennsylvania Reserves.

William Hocker World War II crew

My grandfather's crew hard at work

James Benjamin Houdeshell served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War in the 14th Virginia Militia, Company A. He mustered in 10 Sep 1861 at Wardensville, Hardy County, Virginia.4 According to his obituary, he enlisted 24 Feb 1865 in the Maryland Infantry, 13th Regiment, Company I and mustered out at the end of the war.5 Benjamin’s brothers George W. and Adam Jr. both served as well.

I’m sure there are more that I’ve missed. But whether I know their names or not, I’m proud of their service to their country and their fellow Americans. Their sacrifices should not be forgotten.

Wordless Wednesday: Telephone Girls

Kris Hocker on 25 May 2011

Isabella Smith and the telephone girls
Isabella Smith and the telephone girls

The telephone girls

Prior to her 1914 marriage, my great grandmother, Isabella Smith, worked for the telephone company in Harrisburg. This photo was labelled the “telephone girls.”

Tombstone Tuesday: George Hocker (1810-1872)

Kris Hocker on 24 May 2011

George Hocker (1810-1872)
George Hocker (1810-1872)

George Hocker (1810-1872)

George Hocker, son of George and Elizabeth (Hassler) Hocker, was born 15 Sep 1810 and died 7 Jun 1872, possibly of typhoid fever. He was buried in Shoop’s Cemetery, Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. He married circa 1832 Mary “Polly” Brubaker, daughter of Peter and Anna (Hershberger) Brubaker.

 

Inventory: Christian Hoover (Heidelberg)

Kris Hocker on 22 May 2011

Christian Hoover of Heidelberg Township, York County, Pennsylvania died in 1771. An inventory was taken on his goods and chattels on 19 Mar 1771. Here is a transcript:

“An Inventory of the Goods and Chattles of Christian Hoover
late of Heidlebergh Township Deceased Taken this 19th Day of March
1771 and appraised by John Shank and Michael Danner

Sundry Wearing Apparel 5 8
one Riding Horse Saddle & Bridle 17 5
one Young Mare 22
two old Horses with Geers 10 10
Sundry Horse Geers 15
4 Head of Cattle 10
8 Head of Young Cattle 17 5
6 Head of Cattle 16 10
one Waggon 8
two Ploughs & their Geers 2 7 6
fifteen Sheep 6
Eight Hogs 2 6 6
Thirty Bushels Oates 3
Ten Bushels Wheat 2 5
Six Bushels Rye 18
one Kitchen Drefser [dresser] 2 10
one Cloaths Prefs [press] 2
two Chests 1 7 6
fifty six Yards Linnen 7
Nineteen Yards Tow Cloth 1 11 8
twenty four Yards Lincey 4 4
Six Yards Drugget 1 1
In Cash 47 11 3
one Bond from Michael Wibright 9
one Bond from George Cook 8
one Bond from Peter Dicks 9 9
one Bond from Christian Himler 8
one Bond from Jacob Cochenour [brother-in-law] 32 4 4
one Bond from Mathias Neace 12
one Bond from George Beery 8
one Bond from Christian Overholser 6
one Bond from Nicholas Sluthower 6
one Bond from Francis Noll 50
one Bond from Christian Freed 15
one Note from Abraham Beery [brother-in-law] 9
one Note from George Melheim 1
one Note from Joseph Cochenour [brother-in-law] 3
one Note from Jacob Crouse 3
one Note from John Welde [brother-in-law John Welty] 7 10
one Note from Jacob Moaler 2 10
one Note from Daniel Risher 3 3
one Note from Henry Devalt 2
one Large Bible & one other Book 1 15
one other Large Bible 2 10
Sundry old Books 1 18 6
two Beds & Bed steads 3
Sundry Iron Ware 3 12
one Copper Kettle 3 10
Seven Iron Pans 1 12
one Brafs Kettle & two Brafs buckets 2 9
thirty pounds Hackled Hemp 1 10
Ten pounds spun thread 1
Sundry Pewter 2 13
1 [pound?] steelyards one part sealer & weights 1 8
sundry Earthen Ware [?] 13
sundry Ceader tubs [?] 1
five empty Casks 1 5
one Tea Kettle 7 6
one Small Trunk 3
sundry empty Casks 3 8
sundry Earthen Pots [?] 12
one Wind Mill 2 15
sundry Dung forks Hay forks [?] 8
for Hay 3 15
Six Hives of Bees 1 10
3 Chairs 9
two Tables & one Dough Trough 1 7 6
Nine Bags 1 7
one half Bushel 2
one Maul Rings & Wedge 5
two Axes 7 6
two Grubbing Hoes 6

Mary [her M mark] Hoover Exr. John Shank (in German) Michael Danner } appras”

Surname Saturday: Force

Kris Hocker on 21 May 2011

My Force family connection is through Jefferson Force (aka Forcey). He was born 9 Dec 1833 in Centre County, Pennsylvania and died 20 Oct 1910 in Burnside Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania.1 He was buried in Advent Cemetery in Pine Glen. When his wife, Susan (Mulhollan) Force, provided information for his death certificate, she did not know the names of his parents, nor where they were born. To this day, it’s still a mystery. One I’d really love to solve!

His obituary states:

“Died at his home in Pine Glen on Thursday, October 20th, Jefferson Force, a well known and respected citizen of that place, aged 76 years, 10 months and 11 days. During the Civil War, he was drafted in 1864 and received an honorable discharge in 1865. He was married to Susan Mulholland in 1857, with whom he spent a long and happy life. Mr Force was a charter member of Messiah Church, of that place and always remained steadfast to the church of his choice and served its teachings. He leaves a large circle of friends to mourn his loss. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. E.A. Meredith.”2

Jefferson Force served in the 45th Pennsylvania Infantry Volunteers, Company E, IX Corps, 1st Brigade, 1st Division during the Civil War. When he registered for the draft in June 1863, he was 33, married and living in Burnside Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania.3 He enlisted on 20 Dec 1864 at Troy, Pennsylvania and mustered out 17 Jul 1865 at Alexandria, Virginia.

He married Susan L. Mulhollan, daughter of John and Emily (Boileau) Mulhollan, on 22 Mar 1857. The couple had 14 children:

  1. Wilhelmina Force was born 29 Oct 1857 and died 5 Nov 1921. She married Robert Alexander Askey
  2. Catherine E. Force was born 13 Sep 1859 and died 9 Mar 1899. She married Albert Gilmore
  3. Hannah M. Force was born 1 Sep 1861 and died 1 May 1938. She married Johnson Watson
  4. Agnes E. Force was born 1 Sep 1863 and died 16 Jul 1934. She married John Thomas Fye
  5. Carrie Amanda Force was born 23 Aug 1865 and died 3 May 1934. She married William Henry Meeker, son of Henry Rinehart and Angelina (Loy) Meeker.
  6. Martin Force was born 6 Feb 1868 and died 24 May 1945. He married Delilah N. (Hamilton) Harte
  7. John Force was born 16 Jan 1870 and died 27 Aug 1890.
  8. Lovina Caroline Force was born 28 Jan 1872 and died 28 Oct 1964. She married George W. Houdeshell.
  9. Mary Alice Force was born 28 Jun 1873 and died 12 Oct 1913. She married Richard Whiles
  10. Martha Ellen Force was born 9 May 1875 and died 10 Aug 1934. She married Jacob Whiles, then Wilson Smeal.
  11. Lucy Malinda Force was born 26 Sep 1876 and died in Mar 1960. She married William Emerick, then John King.
  12. George W. Force was born 6 Jan 1878 and died 10 Jan 1878.
  13. William E. Force was born 14 Sep 1883 and died 9 Oct 1883.
  14. Albert M. Force was born 4 Sep 1884 and died 5 Sep 1884.

I am looking for information on Jefferson’s parents and siblings. Other Forces of approximate age to be siblings in the area include:

  1. George W. Force, born 4 Dec 1829, married Hannah Bickel; In 1850, George W. was living with the William & Mary Tate family, Spring Township.
  2. Anna Force, born 8 Mar 1832, died 1 May 1833
  3. Martin V. Force, born 12 Dec 1835, died 28 May 1902, married Sarah Beightol in 1867; in 1850, Martin V. was living with the John M. & Mary Barnhart family, Howard Township.
  4. David Force, born 28 Jul 1837, married Mary (___); In 1850, David was living with the Jackson & Elizabeth Watson family, Howard Township.
  5. Agness F. Force, born 8 Apr 1839, married Adam Shope[?]; In 1850, Agnes was living with the George & Amey Cline family, Howard Township.
  6. Philip Force, born 8 Apr 1839; In 1850, Philip was living with the John & Barbara Neidic (Neidie?) family, Liberty Township.

I have not been able to locate Jefferson in the 1850 census. He would have been 17 years old. Other Force families in pre-1850 census records include:

  • 1840: Matthew & Thomas Forcee in Clearfield County; Joseph Force in Clinton County
  • 1830: Joseph & Thomas Force in Centre County; Matthew & Thomas Forcee in Clearfield County
  • 1820: George & Thomas Force in Centre County

One possibility is Isaac (1780-1 Nov 1843) and Mary “Polly” (d. 1846) Force. If you have any information on this couple, please drop me a line!

Christian Hoover of Heidelberg Township, York County

Kris Hocker on 21 May 2011

Christian Hoover of Heidelberg Township, York County, Pennsylvania wrote his last will and testament on 15 February 1771. It was proven on 21 Mar 1771. He died without issue. He named his wife Mary as his sole executor, leaving her all his property, but settling £300 on the surviving children of his brothers Jacob, Ulrich and Henry Hoover. In the will he also names two sons of his sister Ann Keny: Johannes and Henry Keny.1

I’ve been curious about this Christian Hoover for some time. The fact that he names his brothers and sister is a tantalizing clue and I’m eager to connect them as a family. Unfortunately, there are several matches for these names and since he does not provide any location information for his nieces and nephews, I’m currently stumped.

Deciding to research Christian more, I went looking for his estate files. Since he left money to his brothers’ children, I’d expect an account or receipts or some proof that the heirs were paid. After contacting the York County Archives, I learned that his estate file included only an inventory. While it included a list of bonds and notes, none were for Hoovers.

Sometimes quitclaims or releases for estates are recorded in deed book registers. A check of both the grantor and grantee indices for Christian Hoover yielded only one possible match—a deed from the Christian Hoover estate to John Whelty in 1799. There were several other deeds for Christian Hoover of Heidelberg—one in 1774 and one in 1786, but I already had them and they were from a Christian Hoover who was still alive at the time each deed was written. Not a match for a man who died in 1771.

The deed to John Whelty was written 16 June 1777 and recorded 30 March 1799. In it Jacob Coghanour and Mary his wife of Frederick County, Maryland sold property in Heidelberg and Manheim townships, which had belonged to Christian Hoover, to John Whelty of Manheim Township, York County, Pennsylvania. Christian Hoover had left the land to his wife Mary in his will, but she had since died intestate and without issue. Jacob Coghanour, as Mary’s brother, inherited the land—and the £300 debt owed from the estate to the children of Christian’s brothers— so, Jacob and Mary sold the land to John Whelty “in order to dispose of the said three tracts or parcels of land and premises to the best advantage and to pay the said sum of three hundred pounds agreeable among all the legal representatives as well of the said Christian Hoover deceased…”2 John Whelty, a brother-in-law of Mary (Coghanour) Hoover, turned around and sold the land 9 May 1781 to John Spitler of Hanover Town.3 These deeds were recorded in March 1799, probably when John Conrad—the owner after Spitler—sold it to John Mumma.

While all this is useful information, it doesn’t tell me anything more about Christian’s nieces and nephews. A closer, re-examination of the will reveals that the estate was…

…subject nevertheless at her decease to the Payment of three Hundred Pounds Lawful Money of Pennsylvania to be paid by her Heirs or assigns in three equl [sic] Anual [sic] payments of one Hundred pounds each payment, the first of which payment to be made in one Year after her decease…

So, the payment of the £300 wasn’t to start until a year after Mary’s death.

The question now is: when did Mary die? She was obviously alive when Christian wrote his will in February 1771. She signed the inventory on 21 April 1771. But she was deceased by 16 June 1777 when her brother sold Christian’s land to their brother-in-law John Welty. A deed from Valentine Eyler in 1776 mentions Mary as the widow Hoover, owner of one of the properties adjoining that which he was selling.4 So, she was most likely still alive on 18 January 1776, placing her death sometime between January 1776 and June 1777

The next step is to find Mary’s estate file. She died intestate, so there won’t be a will. There should be an administration account, especially since her estate owed money to Christian’s nieces and nephews, maybe a bond…  If I’m lucky there will be a list of payments made from the estate to the heirs, perhaps even receipts from those heirs. Looks like I’ll be writing the York County Archives again to see if Mary (Coghanour) Hoover’s intestate file still exists. Wish me luck!

Friday Finds: York County Archives

Kris Hocker on 20 May 2011

I‘m accustomed to visiting the websites of state and county archives to learn more about their holdings to determine if I should plan a visit or request information by mail. Sometimes you can find quite a bit more. Such is the case with the York County Archives (Pennsylvania).

I’ve been pondering additional research on Christian Hoover of Heidelberg Township. His will names his brothers Ulrich, Jacob and Henry and his sister Ann Keny, but doesn’t provide any additional information. The will specifically leaves money for the surviving heirs of his brothers and two of his sister’s sons John and Henry, but again does not provide any other clues, no other names or locations.

Wondering what estate information was available for research and where I could write to get it, I did a search for York County estate files and wound up at the York County Archives website. The site provides a list of available records and additional information on each records group. It also provides access to indices for many of the records groups. You can search by surname and the site will provide a link to an index in PDF format for that name.

Although the Estate Files (1749-1958) were not indexed, I emailed the archives and they very quickly got back to me with a list of available records from Christian’s estate file AND suggested some additional files for a Ulrich Hoover that might be relevant. I ordered the files, paying by credit card online, and received them as PDF files the NEXT morning via email. Since then I’ve also ordered several deed files and experienced the same friendly, efficient and fast turnaround.

Talk about customer service!

If you know specifically what document you’re looking for and can’t get to York County yourself, this is a fantastic alternative to hiring a researcher or ordering films through the FHL. I know I’ll probably be ordering more records in the near future!

Tombstone Tuesday: Reuben and Emma Hoover

Kris Hocker on 17 May 2011

Reuben and Emma Hoover gravestone
Reuben and Emma Hoover gravestone

Reuben and Emma Hoover gravestone

Reuben Hart Hoover, eldest son of Christian and Caroline (Kinnard) Hoover was born in 1854, probably in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, and died 5 Mar 1900 of consumption. He married about 1875 Emma Clara Coleburn, born Mar 1845 and died 12 Sep 1912. They are both buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Karthaus Township, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.

This couple had 6 children: Caroline Elizabeth (1876-1938), Sarah Victoria (1877-1959), Mary Jane (1879-1943), Lucretia Irene (1882-1961), Martha Priscilla (1885-1970), and Daniel Edgar (1887-1966).

Henry Hoover (Strasburg), d. ca 1833

Kris Hocker on 16 May 2011

Going through Lancaster County deeds, I discovered two deeds that referenced the heirs of Henry Hoover (alias Huber) of Strasburg Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.1,2 According to these deeds, Henry Hoover died intestate, unmarried and without issue. John Stauffer was the administrator of his estate.

On 18 Dec 1833 Martin Hoover of Franklin County, Pennsylvania in right of himself and also as the attorney for John Hoover, Christian Hoover, Abraham Hoover, Samuel Hoover, Jeremiah Hoover, Jeremiah Sensinig (Senseny) & Catharine his wife, and John Whitmore & Martha his wife—“being the eight children & representatives of Christian Hoover dec’d who was one of the eight brothers & sisters of Henry Hoover (alias Huber) late of Strasburg Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania”—acknowledged the receipt of monies from the estate. Martin was also the representative of one of the sisters of Henry Hoover—possibly Ester Ream/Beam?—and also of the only son & issue of another sister. The document is difficult to read through that section but it might be Jacob Zimmerman[?], son of Elizabeth Zimmerman[?].

On 3 Oct 1834, Samuel Brand of Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania and Christian Brand of Waynesboro, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, being all the issue of Freny Brand, one of the eight brothers & sisters of Henry Hoover of Strasburg Township, acknowledged the receipt of their shares of the estate. According to both deeds, the executor, John Stauffer, entered the estate account into the Register’s Office on 17 Dec 1833.

So, who was Henry? Since he died intestate and unmarried without issue, this Henry Hoover can not be the man I wrote of in Friday Find: Henry Huber’s Strasburg Property. That Henry was married to Anna Herr, daughter of Abraham and Feronica (___) Herr and granddaughter of Christian and Anna (___) Herr.

At this point it’s hard to know where he fits in to the Lancaster Hoovers. I’ve found no record of a sale of land from his estate, so even if I were able to find a deed where a Henry Hoover purchased land in Strasburg, I might not be able to adequately determine that it was purchased by this Henry Hoover as there were several in this general area. The two deeds I’ve seen only refer to his siblings Christian, Ester?, Elizabeth?, and Freny. If there were eight siblings, then I’ve got four more to find. His intestate records may have more information.

If you have any information on this Henry Hoover, his siblings or nieces and nephews, please drop me a line! I’d love to learn more about them.