Bedford Free Press

February 8, 1906    [p.1]

Benjamin Hoover

One of the pioneers of Taylor County has answered the final summons when on Tuesday, Feb. 6, Benjamin [Balsar] Hoover passed away, the direct cause of his death being pneumonia.

The deceased was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, Feb. 15, 1827 and passed away Feb. 6, 1906 at 2:45 pm at his home in Bedford, Ia.  His boyhood days were spent in Kentucky.  At the age of sixteen he moved with his parents to Lee County, Ia., where he married Mary Ann Henkle, March 16, 1851, who with eight children survive him, three children having preceded him, in their early childhood.  The surviving children are:  Mrs. W. [illiam] W. [allace] Bailie [Nancy Hoover] and Melissa Hoover, of Jackson township; Mrs. T. G. [sic] [George Thomas] Turner [Neoma Hoover], of Lower Lake, Cal.; Mrs. S. [imon] F. [orrester] Fiester [Ophelia Hoover], of Washington, D.C.; Oswald Hoover, Lompoc, Cal.; Don Hoover, Quincy, Ill.; Ella and Zelda of Bedford.  A half brother, Jas. [James Pernier] Mix and a half sister [Christine] Amelia Mix, of San Francisco, Cal., also survive him.

In 1853 deceased moved to Gentry County, Mo., remaining there until the fall of 1854, when he located in Jackson Township, Taylor County Iowa where is now the old home place and where was endured the hardships which come to all early settlers.  Leaving the farm in 1898 several years were spent in California, where he and his companion celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.  Desiring to visit the old home they returned in 1902.  The following year was spent in Washington, D.C. and returning again they located in Bedford.

Mr. Hoover was a public-spirited man and took unusual interest in the general welfare of Taylor County and of those with whom he came in contact, trusting all implicitly.  He was a life long republican and was always loyal to his party, being one of the many who cast their vote for Fremont.  Mr. Hoover was a member of the Board of Supervisors for several years in the '70's.  He was always connected with the township organizations of Jackson Township, which was his home for forty-four years.

The funeral services will be held from the residence at 11a.m. on Monday, and 1 o'clock a.m. of the same day at Forest Grove, conducted by Revs. Barackman and Thompson, interment in the Hoover cemetery.

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The Times-Republican

Friday    February 9, 1906    [p.1]

Obituary Notice

One of Taylor County's Oldest Settlers Called Home

Benjamin Balsar Hoover was born in Hardin County, Ky., Feb. 15, 1827 and died Feb. 6, 1906 at 2:45 pm at his home in Bedford, Ia.

His boyhood days were spent in Kentucky.  At the age of 16 he moved with his parents to Lee County, Ia., where he married Mary Ann Henkle, March 16, 1851, who with eight children survive him and three having preceded him to the other world in early childhood.  Those who still survive are: Mrs. W. [illiam] W. [allace] Bailie [Nancy E. Hoover] and Melissa Hoover of Jackson Township, Mrs. T. G. [sic] [George Thomas] Turner [Neoma A. Hoover] of Lower Lake, Cal., Mrs. S. [imon] F. [orrester] Fiester [Ophelia Hoover] of Washington, D.C., Oswald Hoover of Lompoc, Cal., Don Hoover of Quincy, Ill., Ella and Zelda Hoover of Bedford, Ia.  He is also survived by a half brother, James [Pernier] Mix and a half sister, [Christine] Amelia Mix, of San Francisco, Cal., besides hosts of relatives.

In 1853 he moved to Gentry County, Mo., and in the fall of 1854 located in Jackson Township, Taylor County, Ia., which is now the old home place.  Left the farm in 1898, spending several years in California, celebrating their Golden Wedding while there.  Desiring to visit the old home, returned in 1902. The following year was spent in Washington, D.C.  Returning, located at Bedford.

Mr. Hoover was a public-spirited man and took unusual interest in the general welfare of Taylor County, and of those with whom he came in contact, trusting all implicitly.  He was a life long Republican and was always loyal to his party, being one of the many who cast their vote for Fremont.

Mr. Hoover was a member of the Board of Supervisors for several years in the seventies.  He was always connected with the organizations of Jackson Township, which was his home for forty-four consecutive years. 

In the death of Mr. Hoover Taylor County loses another of its pioneers.  One by one the old guard is being called away and soon none will remain whose names are identified with the early history of our county.

In 1852 Taylor County was organized, and two years later Mr. Hoover moved to Jackson Township and took a homestead, and on that farm the best years of his life were spent. At the time of his death he was still owner of the land for which he received a government patent.  He was in every way a representative farmer, and it is to him and such men as he that our country owes all that it is.  When he came here the wolf and deer roamed at will over the land, and strolling bands of Indians frequently passed his home.  Railroads were unknown, and every necessity of life not produced on the farm had to be hauled from the boat landing on one of the big rivers.  The most destitute family of today possess luxuries unknown to the hardy settlers of the early times.  And yet they were happy, healthy, and contented.  They reared their families and their children grew up to be a credit to the community, and honor their parents.

As the years passed on more settlers came, and soon the virgin prairies became well-cultivated farms.  Land increased in value, and neighbors thinking they were doing for the best sold out and moved on farther west.  Mr. Hoover remained.  When he first settled in Taylor county he had confidence in the future, and he was thoroughly content to make it his home during life.  He loved the life of a farmer, and it was only a few years ago, after the approach of age had made the active life of a farmer impossible to him, that he consented to remove to town.

Five years ago a stroke of paralysis left him to end his days an invalid.  Strong, rugged and hearty as he had always been, the confinement and inactivity to which he was consigned must have been most irksome, but if so he gave no sign.  He realized that it was the natural end of man that his days of work were ended, and he was perfectly content.  His long life had been one of usefulness, the future of his family was assured, he had nothing to regret, and when the end came he passed to the great beyond, much as a tired child would close its eyes, and nestling its head upon its mother�s arm, passes quietly to sleep.

Short funeral services will be held at the residence at 11 o'clock Monday morning; the regular services to be held at Forest Grove church at 2 o'clock pm, on same day.  Interment will be made at Forest Grove Cemetery.  The services will be conducted by Revs. Barackman and Thompson.

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The Times-Republican

Tuesday    February 13, 1906   [p.1]

Funeral Services

The funeral of B. [enjamin] B. [alsar] Hoover was held yesterday. Short services were conducted at the home beginning at 10am.  The cortege then moved to Forest Grove church where at 2pm the regular services were held, after which interment was made at Forest Grove cemetery.

The attendance was quite large.  For over half a century Mr. Hoover had lived in that neighborhood, and was a man who was regarded by all with the greatest respect.

The funeral services were conducted by Revs. Barackman and Thompson.