Jacob Jonathan Hoag was for many years engaged in the real estate business in Manchester and negotiated many important realty transfers during that time. He was born on the 16th of September, 1836, near Niles, Michigan, and lived in that locality until he arrived at man's estate. In 1865 he came to Manchester and at first engaged in running a flour mill in connection with his father, Jacob Hoag, and his brother, Egbert Hong. This partnership lasted for a number of years and the business enterprise proved very successful. Twenty six years prior to our subject's death the partnership was dissolved and he engaged in the real estate business until called to his final rest, May 17, 1909. He was an excellent judge of realty and was instrumental in securing many sales and transfers of property satisfactory to all parties concerned. He was a man of excellent business judgment and of enterprise, and his success was but the natural result of those qualities. He took a great interest in the growth and development of Manchester and was one of the leaders in the forma­tion of public thought and opinion. He was widely known and held in the highest esteem.
    Mr. Hoag was married on the 10th of May, 1869, to Miss Sarah J. Belknap, a daughter of Joseph S. and Maria E. (Gibson) Belknap, both deceased. Joseph S. Belknap was born in Washington county, Vermont, October 10, 1818, and lived to the age of seventy five years. Upon coming to this county he first settled at Edgewood in 1848 and afterward, in May, 1864, removed to Manchester, where the rest of his life was spent. His wife was born in Canada West, August 31, 1824, and accompanied her parents on their removal to Belvidere, Illinois, where she resided until her marriage, which occurred October 21, 1845. She was a woman devoted to her family and friends and held the love and respect of those associated with her. She was the mother of the fol­lowing children: Mrs. Jacob J. Hoag; James L., who died in Manchester; Charles G., who died of pneumonia in early manhood and who was so highly esteemed in the community that at the time of his funeral all of the business houses were closed as a mark of respect; and George, of Stuttgart, Arkansas. Three of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoag survive, namely: Dr. Harry M., of Mason City, Iowa; Joseph B., of Warrenton, Oregon; and William P., of Manchester.
     Mrs. Hoag makes her home in Manchester, where she owns a residence on Franklin street. She also has a fine farm of two hundred and thirty five acres situated on section 28, Delaware township, and she has shown good business ability in the supervision of her affairs. She is held in the highest respect by all who know her and has many warm personal friends.