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Jacob O. Hoover

Jacob O. Hoover, the subject of this sketch, was born in Cumberland County June 8, 1848, and until fourteen years of age spent his time at work upon his father's farm and in the district schools where he acquired a knowledge of the common branches of learning. Since fifteen years of age he has been doing for himself, and whatever success has attended him may be attributed to his own industry, perseverance and good management.

In 1863 he engaged to drive a team for the Government and soon afterward enlisted at Louisville in the Third Kentucky State Artillery but two months later was rejected on account of age and size. Having spent some nine months in Cincinnati, Ohio, he went to Illinois and in September, 1864, again enlisted, becoming a member of Company C, Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry.

At the end of sixty days his services were again declined on account of his youthfulness. From the time he was thirteen years old it was his great desire to join the army. Baffled in every attempt, he came to Brush Creek in the autumn of 1864, and after working for a time on a farm entered the Upper Iowa University determined to overcome the disadvantages of his meager education.

He next engaged in teaching for two terms, after which he joined his brother in the mercantile business September 1, 1869, since which time he has been a member of the firm continuously but has had several different partners.

~ transcribed and submitted by Steve Hanken cranken@inav.net