Emanuel Hoover, Pioneer Blacksmith

 "AT BREAK OF DAY

DEATH CLAIMED A PROMINENT AND AGED CITIZEN

EMANUEL HOOVER, A PIONEER BLACKSMITH, DIES OF BRONCHIAL TROUBLE AT AGE OF 73 YEARS

At the breaking of the day Saturday morning, death claimed one of Defiance city's aged residents in the person of Emanuel Hoover.  After an illness lasting about ten days, suffering from a bronchial trouble, Mr. Hoover succumbed at 3:30 this morning and answered death's summons at the advanced age of 73 years, 2 months and 24 days.

He was born in Pine Grover, Pa. on December 5, 1828, and located in this city about 40 year ago, where he has since resided.  His occupation was that of a blacksmith and from 1877 to '93 conducted a blacksmith shop at the place where Kuhn"s lumber factory office now stands. Of late years, he has been unable to do anything.

At the outbreak of the Mexican War in '49, he enlisted at Covington, O. where he then resided. He, however, saw no service.

 

In 1852 at Sydney, O., he married Miss Susan Stoner.  As a result of this union, there were born seven children, all of whom are still living., They are: Mrs. William F. Andrews, Miss Fanny Hoover, with whom her father has made his home during his declining years, Mrs. Charles Wells, Mrs. Louie Spurgeon, Mrs. J. R. Culkins, George E. Hoover and M. E. Hoover.  All the children live in this city and county.

Mr. Hoover belonged to no orders of any kind. He was a man principled after the dictations of his own heart.  Believed in what was right and tried to live to this ideal.  He was well respected and was known throughout the breadth of the county.

The funeral occurred Monday from the late residence, 111 Wayne street, at 2 p.m.  Rev. A. B. Murphy conducted the services.  The remains were interred at Riverside cemetery."

"Defiance Democrat, March 6, 1902, p. 11

The father of Mrs. William F. Andrews

William F. Andrews and the Mystery on the Library - Part 2

 

                       With credit to the Find a Grave site - Mary Joan, Eric Flint and Art Block - 

                            William Francois Andrews (1846-1923) - Find a Grave Memorial

Ground was broken for the Carnegie library in 1904, with the exterior surely needing the expert hands of experienced stone masons. Much research has been done on the meaning of the 8 carved in stone. Why this mark? It does not seem to be a common mark of the Masons as a whole, so the conclusion at this time must be that it was the individual, unique mark chosen by the stone mason himself. That seemed to be the practice at the time in the U.S.

"Masons take a lot of meaning from the practice of leaving their mark. If we look back to the practices of the stonemasons, they left their marks quite literally on the stones, so that they could be identified when contributing to the construction of a building."  

/freemasonscommunity.life/masons-marks-reveal/#How%20Does%20A%20Freemason%20Leave%20His%20Mark?

The Andrews family remained in the Main Street house until death. In 1917, they celebrated their fiftieth anniversary there.  The Defiance Crescent News wrote:

"Golden Wedding Anniversary

   Treasured with never-to-be forgotten memories of wedding anniversaries enjoyed by Mr. and Mrs. William F. Andrews will be the happy thoughts of the celebration of their golden anniversary on Sunday at their East side home with the children and grandchildren of the celebrants joining heartily in making the day one of golden memories.

   

Yesterday recalled the day of their wedding when fifty years ago, March 26, 1866, Miss Kate E. Hoover and William F. Andrews were united in marriage and reminiscences of days since then made up a delightful part of the celebration in memory of the event.

   

Eleven children have blessed the union, ten of whom are living, including: Mrs. Lilley Mills, Perrysburg; Hiram Andrews, Creston; Mrs. Tacie Brown, Mrs. Leah Aldrich, Cleveland; Mrs. Aimy Sterreit, Toledo; Mrs. Melva Viers, Lorain; and Emmett, Terrence, Mabel and Harry, who are at home. The descendents include sixteen grandchildren.

   

Masses of flowers with a shower of gold coins and many other gifts bestowed upon the happy couple added to the charm of the day and was a further token of love from the children and friends

Mr. and Mrs. Andrews are enjoying the same good health of pioneer days and felt that the day had been a typical repetition of the wedding day of fifty years ago"

Defiance Crescent News, March 26, 1917

In the 1920 census, William, 74, was retired with Kate, 69, at the Main Street house.  Still with them were Emmett, 38, single, a painter; Mable, 33, single, and Harry W.,22, single, a plumber.  

William died first on February 9, 1923, at his home at the age of 77. The official cause of death on his death certificate was exhaustion, with organic heart disease contributing. His daughter, Tacie, who lived in Chicago, was the informant.  He was buried in Riverside Cemetery on February 12.

"G.A.R. CHARTER MEMBER DIES - WILLIAM F. ANDREWS SUCCUMBS TO HEART TROUBLE AT AGE OF 77 YEARS.

  With the death of William F. Andrews at 11:10 p.m. yesterday at his home in 202 Main street, the ranks of the 22 charter members of Bishop Post, Grand Army of the Republic were thinned to three.  Organic heart trouble caused Mr. Andrew's death.  He was 77 years, 5 months and 21 days old.

  

His comrades at Bishop Post will conduct a brief funeral service Monday at 2 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, after which Revs. Ferdin and Ruge will have charge.

  

His widow, Mrs. Katherine Andrews, who was Miss Katherine Hoover before her marriage, survives him along with six daughters, four sons and two sisters.  The daughters are: Mrs. L. G Mills, Blackstone, Va.; Mrs. T. D. Brown, Chicago; Mrs. Leah Aldrich, Cleveland; Mrs. Amy Sterrett, Toledo; Miss Mabel Andrews 203 Main Street; and Mrs. Melva Dock, Amherst,  Sons: Hiram E. Andrews, Milan; Emmett G. Andrews, Toledo; Terrance W. Andrews, Toledo; and Harry N. Andrews, Toledo; and sisters: Mrs. John Zook, Sandusky and Mrs. Eliza Guerin, Shelby.

  

Mr. Andrews enlisted in the Union army July 31, 1862, and served during the entire Civil War until discharged at Nashville, Tenn. June 19, 1865.  He was a private in C company, 22nd Reg. State Volunteers of Michigan 2nd brigade, 3rd Div., 14th Corps of the Army of the Cumberland.

  

Mr. Andrews was a member of the Defiance lodge of the I.O.O.F. for 43 years."

Defiance Crescent News, February 10, 1923 pg 1

A little more than a year later on February 12,1924, the Andrews children lost their mother. She died at 1234 Michigan Street, the home of her son, Terrence, at the age of 74 years, 23 months and 12 days. The cause of death was pulmonary congestion, with a cerebral apoplexy - a stroke. Daughter Tacie was also informant on her mother's death certificate. 

"OBITUARY - KATHERINE HOOVER ANDREWS

  

Mrs. Kate E. Andrews (nee Hoover) was born at Piqua, O., Nov. 3rd, 1849, died at the home of her son, Terrence Andrews, in Toledo, Ohio, Tuesday, February 12, 1924 at the age of 74 years.

  

She came to Defiance with her parents in 1861 and was married to William F. Andrews in 1867  Mr Andrews death occurred just one year ago.

  

In passing, she leaves to mourn their loss 10 children: Mrs. L. G. Mills, Blackstone, Va., H. E. Andrews, Norwalk, Ohio; Mrs. T. D. Brown, Chicago, Ill.,; Mrs. Charles Aldrich, Cleveland, Ohio; Emmett Andrews, Toledo, Ohio; Mrs. Ed Sterrett, Toledo, Ohio; Mrs. E. Dock, Amherst, Ohio; Harry Andrews, Toledo, Ohio; also the following brothers and sisters: George Hoover and Chell Hoover of Defiance, and Mrs. J. Hawkins and Mrs. Alice Spurgeon of Chicago, Ill.  She was a charter member of Rebekah Maumee Lodge 665.

Funeral will be held in the Baptist church Thursday at 2 p.m.  Rev. Ayers officiating. Burial in Riverside."

Defiance Crescent News, February 23, 1924, pg. 7

William Francois Andrews and the Mystery on the Library - Part 1

 

As many times as I have climbed the steps at the Defiance Public Library, I have never noticed the carving of the 8 in the mortar to the right of the front steps until eagle-eyed DCGS member, Mary Scranton, pointed it out.  Then she preceded to vigorously research the stone mason possibly behind this mark - William F. Andrews, Citizen of Defiance, Veteran, Mason, Hotel Owner, and Father to quite a large family. Most of what follows in this blog about Andrews is the result of her research.

Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada,/ on August 18, 1846, William Francois Andrews ventured into the United States before the Civil War began.  A son of Israel Andrews, born in French Canada, and Mary Ann Blanchflower, born in Norfolk, England, William and his family came to the U.S. and settled in Michigan about 1858 when William was 12.

In the fall of 1861, when he had just turned 15, William enlisted into Company E, Ninth Michigan Volunteer Infantry.  The Defiance County History of 1883 revealed that he went to camp at Fort Wayne, Michigan.

"He then got a furlough home and about three days thereafter, while at home, broke out with smallpox and was then discharged on this account.  He reenlisted July 31, 1862, in Company C, Twenty-second Michigan Regiment, and was honorably discharged June 26,1865, at the close of the war.

He was at the siege of Chattanooga all through that campaign, till Sherman started for the sea..."

He re-enlisted at Port Huron, Michigan the second time when he was 18. William went on to serve at Chickamauga, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesborough and Nashville before his muster out. Despite all his battles, he reported on the 1890 Veterans Census that he had no disabilities from his service.  

At some point after the war, he came to Defiance where he married Kate E. Hoover (Catherina Edwina) on March 27, 1867. She was the daughter of Emanuel and Susan Hoover, earlier settlers of the county. The Andrews were enumerated on the 1870 Federal Census here with just one child, Lilly, 6 months old, as an older child, Fanny Bell, born in 1869, had died.  William, 24, worked as a day laborer.

Holgate Place #7 was their home in 1880.  William had taken the occupation of stone mason by that time, and the family had increased, adding Peter, 7; Tacy, 5 and Leah, 4.  According to the 1883 History of Defiance County:

"Mr Andrews started out in 1867 and learned the stone mason's trade and followed this up by learning the brick-laying and stone-cutting, mastering each branch of the business, at which he continued till December 1882, when he went to Evansport and engaged temporarily in keeping hotel and restaurant."

The Defiance Democrat of January 31, 1884 noted: William F. Andrews, who had been running the Garber house at Evansport for some time, moved to Sherwood last week." 

Without the 1890 census, there was difficulty in following the Andrews family moves, but the Defiance Democrat did advertise a sale of property on August 4, 1894, in Defiance, specifically Lot 150 in East Defiance.

"Taken at the suit of Mary J. Elkins against William F. Andrews, Kate E. Andrews vs. Rollin H. Gleason and George Young.  Appraised at $700."  Defiance Democrat, July 19, 1894

 By 1900, things seemed to have righted themselves, as the family now had a mortgage on a home at 203 Main Street in Defiance. William, 55, was back to work as a brick mason; Kate, 48, was caring for the seven children still at home; and Kate's mother, Mary, a widow, had moved in. Talk of a new library for Defiance will begin soon, an enterprise that just might be what William needs for steady work.

William A. Monroe, G. A. R., I. Donafin Post, Hicksville, Ohio

 William A. Monroe

William Monroe spent his early life in Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania with his parents, Younglove Monroe and Phoebe Cox Monroe. William was married in Iowa, but about 1884, he and his family settled in Hicksville where he died on April 20, 1919.

Born in Lorain County, Ohio, on July 20, 1832, he was found in the 1850 census there. He lived with his parents, Younglove, 46 and Phebe, 42.  His brother, Orrin, 18, and William, 16, were both listed as farmers.  Jane, 14; Henry, 11; and Harriet, 9, completed the family. 

The 1860 Federal Census found William in Elk Creek, Jasper, Iowa, with his wife, Isabell (Brower), whom he had married there on November 11, 1854.  In 1860, William was 24 and Isabelle, 23.  They had children: Albert, 4 and William M., 1, both born in Iowa.

Many thanks to Dianne Grimm for

this photo of memorial ribbons from

Donafin Post, G.A.R.

On April 18, 1865, William A. Monroe, having moved from Iowa, enlisted at Maysville, Indiana, into the 155th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Company D.  Company D was almost exclusively men from Allen County, Indiana.  Once enlisted, all the companies went to Indianapolis - 1,013 men in total. William entered as a private and served as a cook.  They were sent out to Alexandria, Virginia on April 26, 1865, where they served with the Provisional Brigade, 3rd Division, 9th Army Corps.  

On May 3, they moved to Dover, Delaware, where the soldiers were divided up and sent to several locations in Delaware and Maryland.  They eventually reunited in Dover, Delaware where they mustered out on August 4, 1865. 

By the 1870 Federal Census, William and Isabelle Monroe were enumerated in Washington Township, Allen County, Indiana, living with the John and Angeline Clear family.  Both John and William were farmers. At that time, William was 36 with $600 personal worth.  Isabel, 35, kept house for their growing brood of children:

Albert, 15; William, 12; Henry, 9; Anna E., 5 and Cora, 2.  George Brower, 25, perhaps Isabelle's brother, lived there, as well, helping with the farming.  The children were: Albert Goodrich Monroe, born in 1855; Manford William Monroe, born in 1857; Henry M. , born in 1862; and Anna I., born in 1864, so she was just a toddler when her father went off to war.

In 1867, Cora B. was born, followed by George Washington Monroe, born 1873 and Hanford Burdette, born in 1876.  None of the children were born in Ohio.

William Monroe was listed as a charter member of the John C. Carnes Post G.A.R 144, St. Joe, Dekalb County, Indiana.  When he moved to Hicksville in about 1884, he joined the Donafin Post where he was quite active in attending meetings, reunions and old settlers' meetings.  A land record confirmed that he bought land in Hicksville Township in 1886 and by 1900, he noted on the census that he and Isabell owned that farm, and that he farmed it at the age of 67. Hanford, his youngest son at 23, was still on the farm helping him as a farm laborer.  Also at home was Anna, 36, a widow.

Sadly, on March 22, 1902, his wife, Isabelle died at the age of sixty-six.  Born in Preble County on November 11, 1835, she traveled to Iowa, Indiana, and Ohio with her husband and bore seven children along the way.  She is buried at Forest Home Cemetery, Hicksville, Ohio. The obituary was posted online from an unknown newspaper:

"Isabelle Brower was born Nov. 11, 1835 in Preble county, O., and departed this life March 21, 1902.  She was married Nov. 11, 1854 to William Monroe.  To this union were born seven children, five sons and two daughters, all living.  She leaves 4 brothers, 3 sisters, 17 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and many others to mourn their loss.  Two brothers and one sister and father and mother have preceded her to the life beyond.  She united with the Church of Christ in January, 1873."

Oldest brother, Albert Monroe, applied for a marriage license for his sister, Anna Isabell Monroe and William M. Dailey on May 20, 1887..  It was a first marriage for both and the ceremony was held in Defiance County with the Justice of the Peace officiating on May 26, 1887.  No information could be found on their lives after the marriage. Anna was listed with her maiden name and as single in the 1900 census.  On August 10, 1906, Anna died. No further information could be found for this couple.

After losing his wife and daughter, William A. Monroe lived on until April 20, 1919, when he died at the age of 86.  One obituary appeared in The Fort Wayne Sentinel on Monday, April 21, 1919: 

"HICKSVILLE, O. April 21 - After an illness due to the infirmities of old age, William Monroe passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Hiram Hart, Sunday morning.  Mr. Monroe was an early settle of this vicinity, having lived for several years on a farm five miles west of Hicksville, where he reared his family.

About thirty-five yars ago, he moved to Hicksville where he had since resided.  He was a soldier of the civil war and a member of the G.A.R. post of this place.

He is survived by the following children: Albert, Henry, George, Hanford and Mrs. Hiram Hart of this place, and Manford, of Fort Wayne.  Funeral services will be held here Tuesday...and interment in Forest Home Cemetery."

The Tribune in HIcksville published his obituary on Thursday, May 1, 1919:

"MONROE.

William A. Monroe, son of Younglove and Phoebe Monroe, was born July 20, 1832, near Lorain, Ohio, and died April 20, 1919, aged 86 years and 9 months. 

Was married to Isbella Brower, Nov. 11, 1854, and to this union were born seven children, Albert O. of Hicksville; Manford of Antwerp; Henry M. of Hicksville; Anna bell who preceded the in death; George W. of Hicksville; Cora B. Hart of Hicksville; Hanford B. of Detroit.  There are also 23 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren, all of whom are living.  Also a large circle of near relatives and friends.

He enlisted in the Civil War, March 3, 1865, and served his country until the end of the War. He was a member of the G.A.R. in Hicksville and also a member of the M.E. church.

Funeral services were held Tuesday from the Methodist church, Rev. C.A. Moore officiating.  Interment in Forest Home cemetery.  

CARD OF THANKS - 

The Monroe children and other relatives take this means of expressing their heartfelt thanks to all who extended them sympathy and assistance during the illness, death and burial of their father and loved one.  They particularly thank the pastor and the singers for their service."