Hoopes, Isaac

HOOPES

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/22/2019 at 23:31:16

Isaac Hoopes

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.602)
ISAAC HOOPES, deceased, late of Silver Creek Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, was one of the respected and esteemed citizens of his community. He came to this county in 1876 and resided here until the time of his death. He was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, December 29, 1832, a son of James HOOPES, a native of Pennsylvania. His mother, Elizabeth (BRINTON) HOOPES, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. The Brintons were of Welsh ancestry. Isaac HOOPES was reared on a farm in Adams County, Pennsylvania and learned the trade of blacksmith and wagon maker. His education was obtained in the common schools of his native state. At the age of 21 years, he came west and worked at his trade in Delaware County, Iowa.

It was in Delaware County that he became acquainted with Miss Rebecca FARR, a lady of intelligence and education, who afterward became his wife. She was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, daughter of Moses and Mary (HATFIELD) FARR, both natives of Fayette County. Her father was a son of John FARR, a Frenchman by birth. He was a teacher in his younger days, is a mechanic and cabinet-maker by trade, and now, at the age of 78 years, is still a resident of his native county. His wife was of German ancestry. She died in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1884, at the age of 70 years.

Mrs. HOOPES was educated at her native place, and at the age of 15 years, began teaching school in Virginia. At seventeen, she came to Iowa and continued her profession in Delaware County. At Colesburg, that county, September 24, 1865, she was united in marriage to Isaac HOOPES, Rev. B.H. Crider performing the ceremony. They continued to reside in Delaware County until 1876 when they removed to Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa, where Mr. HOOPES worked at his trade for a time. He subsequently purchased a farm five and a half miles from Oskaloosa, where they lived until 1876, when they came to Pottawattamie County. Here Mr. HOOPES purchased 160 acres of wild land in Silver Creek Township, paying for it $1,750 and here he spent the residue of his life. He was killed on his own farm, February 16, 1888, by a runaway team. He was a believer in Christian Science. Politically he was a Republican. His widow and two children survive him. The names of the latter are Willis I. and Orville G. Charles R. HOOPES, their first-born, died in 1882 at the age of fifteen years.

The HOOPES farm is one of the best in Silver Creek Township. The residence is 16 X 24 feet, with wing 16 X 24 feet, same height, one and a half stories, is situated on a natural building site, and is surrounded by various kinds of trees. The farm is well improved, and everything about the premises -- the barn, sheds, yards, feed-lots, modern wind-pump and orchard and grove -- all indicate prosperity. Since her husband's death, Mrs. HOOPES has managed the farm, with the assistance of her son, Willis I. She is not only a lady of intelligence and refinement, but is endowed with good executive ability as a financier.