My Genealogy Hound

MICHEL W. HOOVER, a well-known general agriculturist of Cass County, and a prominent citizen of Howard Township, where he owns and operates a farm on section 5, is one of the many honorable and upright men whom the Keystone State has furnished to Michigan. He was born in Lancaster County, Pa., February 18, 1822, and is the son of Christian and Catherine (Bair) Hoover, natives of Pennsylvania, who were there reared and married. The father removed from Lancaster County to New York, and in 1824 settled in Erie County, where he conducted general farming operations. In 1843 he removed to St. Joseph, Ind., where he died at the age of sixty-six. His wife survived him a number of years, passing away at the age of eighty-four.

In the parental family there were eight children, two daughters and six sons, all of whom grew to maturity. The sixth child in order of birth is the subject of this sketch, who was two years old at the time the family removed to Erie County, N. Y. There he grew to a sturdy, self-reliant manhood, and at the age of nineteen commenced to learn the trade of a cooper at Williamsville, the same county. He came West to Indiana in 1840, and worked at his trade in Mishawaka, St. Joseph County, Ind., for about ten years. November 11, 1847, he married Miss Margaret Smith, a native of Stark County, Ohio, who was born in 1828. When about eight years of age she accompanied her parents to Indiana and grew to womanhood in St. Joseph County.

After his marriage our subject settled on a farm consisting of one hundred and forty acres in St. Joseph County, Ind., but some time later he removed to La Grange County, that State, and resided on a farm there for three years. He then purchased the old homestead in St. Joseph County but after residing there for three years disposed of the property and came to Cass County, where he purchased his present farm in 1869. He and his wife have been the parents of nine children: William H.; Andrew H.; Harriet I., wife of George Hofferbert; Sarah A., who is with her parents; Emma S., the wife of Simon M. Witwer; Augusta A., deceased; John F., who operates the home farm; Elmer A., who is at home; and Anna, deceased.

The fine property of Mr. Hoover consists of one hundred and sixty-eight acres, mostly under cultivation. Many lessons may be learned from the example of his useful and honorable life, for he commenced in the agricultural business poor and without resources, but through industry and good judgment, combined with sound common-sense, he has attained a position of independence and influence. In his religious connections, he is a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church, and has served as Deacon in that denomination. Politically he is a Republican, but has never mingled actively in public affairs, preferring the tranquil enjoyment of domestic life and associations. In 1890 he erected a two-story modern residence, at a cost of $1,500, which is one of the most comfortable homes in the community.