Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Page 334

SAMUEL H. HOOVER, of the real-estate firm of Hoover & Kelley, No. 822 East Douglas avenue, is a pioneer of Wichita, coming here Oct. 16, 1869, when it was a mere trading-post. Since that time he has been an important factor in aiding its wonderful growth, and has contributed liberally to the various enterprises that have made this city in a few short years a leading metropolis. His fortune has grown with the city, and now he is numbered among the wealthiest and most substantial citizens of Sedgwick County.

     When Mr. Hoover came to Wichita he preempted the southwest quarter of section 22, town 27, range 1 east; a part of the same he has now in city lots. He built a cottonwood boardhouse,l6 x 24, one story in height, and in that humble abode commenced life as a farmer in the sunny Arkansas Valley, continuing to live in it until 1882. The first year he broke forty acres of land and fenced sixty acres, Chisholm Creek forming a boundary on one side, and raised a good crop of wheat and corn, selling the former for $l.l0 a bushel, and the latter for fifteen to twenty cents. In a few years he had all of his land under plow, surrounded by a fine hedge, and had a good apple and peach orchard. In 1882 his farm had greatly increased in value, owing doubtless, in part, to its nearness to the city, and he sold it for $8,000. He then bought 279 acres on section 18, paying therefor $5,500. He made his home on it the three ensuing years, and then sold it, for $41,850, which well illustrates the wonderful rapidity of the increase in the value of land in and near the city. He afterward bought on the West Side the northwest and the northeast quarters of section 23, and the north half of the southeast quarter of the same section, amounting to 400 acres. He sold 240 acres of that for $70,000, and still retains the remainder, and has set out a large apple orchard on eighty acres of it. He also bought five acres of land, which he has laid out in town lots, and disposed of at good prices. He owns five lots on Douglas avenue, on which he intends to build. He has a number of other valuable lots on Mosely and Washington avenues, and his fine residence is on the corner of Mosely avenue and Second street.

     Mr. Hoover took part in the late Rebellion as a member of Company F, 94th Illinois Infantry, serving three years and two days. For gallant conduct on the field he was given a Corporal's commission, holding that rank in the battles of Prairie Grove, Van Buren, Vicksburg, Ft. Morgan, Albany and Spanish Fort. He is now a prominent member of the G. A. R., and is still as faithful a champion of the Republican party as in the trying days of the Rebellion.

     Our subject has been three times married. The children of his first marriage areas follows: William C., Edward, Maud and Mabel (twins), and Birdie. He was married to his present wife, formerly Miss Ella DeLong, of Wichita, in 1887. She presides gracefully over their attractive home, dispensing its hospitalities with a lavish hand.

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