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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
WILLIAM A. HOOVER, a successful farmer, will be found engaged in his chosen occupation on section 4, Spring Creek Township. He is a native of Iowa, born March 7, 1855, and is the elder of the two children of James M. and Eunice (Cox) Hoover, natives of Indiana, the former of whom died in Sumner County, Kan., in the year 1885; the latter is still living and occupies a dwelling on the farm of the subject of this sketch. His sister, Delpha, is the wife of Henry Glasscock, a resident of this township. Mr. Hoover was married, Dec. 9, 1880, to Miss Susan C. Ballenger, a daughter of Jeremiah and Margaret (Starlin) Ballenger; the former a native of Illinois, and a farmer by occupation; his death took place June 5, 1886. His wife, a native of Ohio, still survives, and resides in this township. Besides the home farm of 175 acres of land all under fence, with comfortable buildings and other excellent improvenients, Mr. Hoover also owns a farm of ninety acres in Adams Township, all in good cultivation and with the best class of improvements. In addition to general farming, which Mr. H. carries on extensively and successfully, he is also engaged quite largely in the breeding of Chester- White swine, of which he has not only the finest drove in the county, but in this section of the State. His animals are all selected from the best known herds in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and other States, and to secure the best of all these he spares neither money nor time. He is very particular in the breeding and care of these animals, that nothing may impair their purity of breed and symmetry of form. The reputation of these animals is as fully established as that of the older breeding farms of Eastern States, and Mr. Hoover receives and fills numerous mail orders for them from all parts of the West. He is perhaps the most extensive breeder of pure Chester-White hogs in Southern, if not in the entire State of Iowa, and constant additions are made to his herd by purchase and otherwise. Mr. Hoover has been quite successful in his undertakings, and combines the best of management with proper economy. As a citizen he is rated among the best, and is known and respected as a hospitable, generous man.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy