Jacob Hoover Jr.

The photo at left was scanned from an article which appeared in the Argo-Gazette newspaper, (Fayette County, Iowa) Dec. 24, 1930. (Very bad quality but all we have.) The article included a notation under the picture: "Jacob W. Hoover whose death occurred this morning, who had lived in the West Union community since June 10, 1849."

The same photo was included in an earlier newspaper. The heading in the earlier paper read, "The Oldest Inhabitant." And under the picture, " Jacob W. Hoover, Fayette county's oldest inhabitant, who has lived continuously in the West Union community since June 10, 1849, coming here a few weeks before the town was formed. He is shown holding the gun, which still hangs in his home, with which his father killed the famous bear. Mr. Hoover eighty-second birthday was celebrated by a family gathering on Sunday, Aug. 4." (Which would indicate that the paper was published in August 1829.)

A story about Jacob W. Hoover (Jr.) appeared in a 1922 edition of The Iowa Magazine in the section "Old Residents" of Iowa Counties - (Click HERE to read that story.)

Jacob Hoover, son of Jacob Hoover and Elizabeth Rosier, was born 4 August 1847 in Logan County Ohio. He came with his parents to Fayette County Iowa in June 1849 and lived in that county the remainder of his life. On 7 May 1874, he married Harriett JOSLIN, (sometimes spelled Joslyn). She was born 9 May 1854 in Maysville, Kentucky, and was the daughter of Ralph Joslin and Barbara TOPE JOSLIN.

Jacob Hoover, Jr., died 24 Dec 1930 and was buried in the West Union Cemetery, Fayette County, Iowa. His wife, Harriett, died 16 March 1938 at the home of her daughter, Ruth VOEHL, in Cedar Rapids; she was also buried in the West Union Cemetery.

The obituary states, "Mrs. Hoover came to Iowa as a girl of nine, and was married to Jacob W. HOOVER at the age of 18. Twelve children were born to this union, seven of whom survive. These include Mrs. Eva TORSON, Mrs. Melvina KNIGHT, Will and Ray HOOVER of West Union; Mrs. VOEHL, Cedar Rapids; Mrs. Grace DORLAND, Ft. Pierce, Fla.; and Charles in California. Mr. Hoover died in 1931.

Other survivors include 31 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover lived for many years on their farm three miles north of West Union, moving to town in 1919. They made their home near the school house in West Union. Following her husband's death in 1931, Mrs. Hoover moved to Cedar Rapids and made her home there with her daughter. . . ."

We have identified the following individuals as being children of Jacob & Harriett HOOVER:

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