In researching my HOOVER family line, I’ve always hit a brick wall at my great-great-great-grandfather Christian HOOVER. He seemed to appear from almost from nowhere. Family history regarding Christian and Caroline (Kinnard) Hoover was vague and sometimes contradictory. Here’s what the older family members recall about the Hoover family, specifically regarding Christian:
- Christian was one of seven brothers who immigrated to this country from Germany, through Holland, in 1817 and settled in York County.
- The HOOVER family came from southern Pennsylvania and moved northward.
- Christian was born in 1826.
- Christian was the son of one of the seven brothers.
- Christian cleared his land of trees and built a log house and barn along the road from Karthaus to Driftwood.
- Christian was a self-taught veterinarian, horse breeder, and trader.
- Christian and his first wife, Caroline Kinnard, had 4 sons: Reuben, Samuel, Simon, and George.
- Christian and his second wife, Mary Conaway, had 1 daughter: Edith.
I was able to verify points #7 and #8 through my research in census reports, vital records and the estate records of both Caroline (KINNARD) Hoover and Christian HOOVER.
I have a picture of a house that I’m told belonged to Christian Hoover and deeds of sale for property in Covington township, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania after Christian’s death in 1888. The property is referred to as the “Dodge lands” from warrant 5404, but that’s the best I can identify/locate the property.
The closest I’ve come to locating parents for Christian was when I found a census record for 1850 for the Philip HOOVER household in Plum Creek township, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania.[1] The family is listed as follows:
- Philip Hoover, 48, M, Farmer, 1500
- Hannah, 48, F
- Christopher, 25, M, Farmer
- Mary Anne, 23, F
- John T, 21, M, Farmer
- Margaret, 19, F
- Barbara, 17, F
- Wm, 15, M, Farmer
- Jacob, 13, M
- Ralston, 11, M
- Sarah, 8, F
- Samuel M., 5, M
Philip’s son Christopher is the correct age to be my Christian. The death certificate of Simon Hoover, son of my Christian Hoover, lists Christian’s birth place as Armstrong county. Additionally, Christian’s wife Caroline (Kinnard) Hoover was the daughter of Thomas and Maria (Fisher) Kinnard of Armstrong county.[2] So, I have circumstantial evidence that Christian is the son of Philip and Hannah, but no real proof—no baptism or marriage record, no mention of siblings or parents in any of the information on Christian.
To further frustrate me, in the late 1870s Philip sold his property in Armstrong county and moved west with his son Jacob to Kansas where he died and was buried in 1882. The likelihood of his having left estate papers naming Pennsylvania heirs is slim. Jacob, meanwhile, continued his westward migration until the family finally settled in Aberdeen, Grays Harbor, Washington. Jacob married Julia Ann Rupert, I believe daughter of Isaac/Israel Rupert and Christina (___).
I know little on the other children of Philip and Hannah (Thomas) Hoover. Mary Ann may have married a Fisher and died in Kansas. William may have been in the 62nd Regiment, Company C during the Civil War with his brother Ralston, who died on 18 Jun 1862 at the Baltimore Cross Road s in Virginia.[3]
However, if Christian is the son of Philip and Hannah (Thomas) Hoover, then points #1, #2, and #4 are not quite correct. I was far luckier in researching Philip than I have been with Christian. There is a manuscript at the Pennsylvania State Library by Luella Schaumberg Hoover entitled “Some Descendants of Andrew Hoover.” Her research was invaluable to fleshing out Philip’s ancestry.
Philip’s grandfather (George) and great-grandfather (Andrew) immigrated to the United States in 1754 along with the rest of the Andrew’s family. They first settled near Leitersburg, Frederick county (now Washington county), Maryland. Then about 1769 moved to Fayette county, Pennsylvania.[4]
So, yes they came to Clearfield county from the south, but not from York county.[5] They came to this country some 63 years before the family’s estimate and Christian was most likely not the son, but the great-grandson and great-great-grandson of the immigrants.
Footnotes:
- Philip Hoover household, 1850 U.S. census, Plum Creek township, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, Family 107; National Archives administration micropublication M432, Roll 749.
- Letters of Administration – Caroline Hoover Estate, Will Book, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, Volume C, Page 123, George M. Ferguson, Pennsylvania State Archives, Microfilm Roll 7352.
- Smith, Robert Walker, History of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: Waterman, Watkins & Co., 1883), page 69.
- Hoover, Luella Schuamberg, “Some Descendants of Andrew Hoover,” unpublished manuscript, Pennsylvania State Library, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
- It is possible that there is confusion with the ancestors of President Hoover who are associated with Lancaster and York counties in Pennsylvania and Frederic county, Maryland. I’ll be writing more about this as there were TWO Andrew Hoovers of about the same age in Frederic county at approximately the same time. There is a great deal of confusion between the two! In fact, their origins in Germany have even been mixed up.
I stumbled upon your blog from searching for our ancestors from Fayette County, PA. I have a Susannah Hoover married to William Gallentine in 1836. She was a witness at her mother-in-law’s(Susannah Dixon Gallentine)petition for a continuance of the pension of her husband’s (Abraham Gallentine 1760-1836) Revolution pension. We’re a bit stuck on Abraham’s son Abraham and I’ve been enjoying reading how you research and what records you’ve used. We’re just starting to look at the Orphan Court & land records.
There are a lot of places to look for information. I use census records, deed records, estate records (both testate and intestate), tax records, church records, military records… Each piece of information helps to build a picture of your ancestor’s life. They also provide clues—if you’re lucky—to other places to look for information. If your Abraham Gallantine was in Fayette County before 1800, you might also want to check out the patent & warrant records for the county. Indices and some of the records are available online through the Pennsylvania State Archives.
Hi,
My name is Caitlin Hoover. I am the granddaughter of “Boots” and Anna Hoover, and the daughter of Dennis and Donna Hoover. In April for the first time in 9 yrs I returned to Pa and became curious of my family history. From what I know I am the youngest grandchild of the original 12 Hoovers. I know very little about the Hoovers due to the fact my family resides in TX. Boots passed away when I was only 4 and I have had little contact with any Hoovers. Aunt Ruth and Uncle Bill Hocker introduced the Hoover homestead to me when I was growing up and in April I was able to see it again as an adult this time. I believe that I do have a large family but of course living in Texas I have never met most of them let alone know their names. I would love to see pictures, I only have one of Boots and Anna and that’s pretty much it. I would also love to know more about my family and history. Thank you for posting what you have it’s wonderful to see my family!
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am the youngest (44 y.o.)of six born to Richard T., and Bobbye Jo Hoover. My dad (77 y.o.)is from Dayton Ohio, his father was Charles Hoover. Charles was married to Ora Lee, who was originally from Kentucky; I believe.
My dad remembers some Hoover family reunions from when he was a youngster; early teens, and vividly recalls two old sisters who would show up from the west. We think them to be either related to a Tuck Hoover who ranched in south Texas (shot & killed in 1896), or a George Hoover who was the first elected mayor of Dodge city Ks., but are not sure.
The story that I remember from my grandmother Ora Lee Hoover, is that she was a decendant of General Robert E. Lee, and that her first husband (who was deceased long before I was born) was directly related to both Pres. Hoover, as well as J. Edgar, whom I was named after. I corresponded with J. Edgar Hoover from the time I was 4 y.o. until he died in 1972. His secretary Helen Gandy, kept this up for a few years after his death. Ms. Gandy died in Texas in the early ’80′s.
There was also a Jake Hoover, who was a gold miner and trapper, he is credited with discovering the “Yogo” sapphires in Arizona, before he was a guide and friend to the young western artist Charlie Russel. Jake Hoover is in some of Russels paintings and sketches.
Any thing more you can share, will be of great interest to us, as well as to my little girls (8 & 10 y.o.)who are very curious about our family history.
Thank you for your time and assistance,
sincerely, J.H.
This is very interesting to me since my great grandfather (Charles Edwards) was also a friend of Jake Hoover’s and of Charles Russell in Montana (Great Falls area I believe) around 1900 or so. Charles Edwards’ home burned to the ground including several Russell paintings. Of further interest is the fact that Charles Edwards’ mother was a Hoover. I have been unable to learn yet with any degree of certainty what her first name was, but she came from Pennsylvania. It was said that she was related to President Hoover. I wonder if there is any possibility that she (and Charles) were also related to this Jake Hoover.