John Franklin Hoover

John Franklin Hoover

Some of the most representative business men of this part of Kentucky are located at Dawson Springs, finding in this city excellent opportunities for the development of their faculties and securing a fair share of prosperity. One of them is John Franklin Hoover, manager of the City Water Company and Ice Plant, who is recognized as one of the experts in his line and a citizen of marked public spirit. He was born at Livermore, McLean County, Kentucky, July 28, 1872, a son of George Burdett Hoover, and a grandson of Richard Hoover, who was born in Virginia and died in Ohio County, Kentucky, in 1883. He was a farmer by occupation and the first of his family to come to Ohio County. George Burdett Hoover was born in Ohio County, Kentucky, in 1839, and died at Livermore, Kentucky, in 1881. Reared and educated in Ohio County, he be came a farmer of that region, but later moved to Livermore and embarked in a mercantile business, which occupied him until his death. Both in his native county and at Livermore he supported the candidates of the democratic party, and he was equally earnest in his connection with the Methodist Episcopal Church of both places, having early joined that organization. He married Susan Simmons who was born in Ohio County, Kentucky, in 1843, and died at Dawson Springs, Kentucky, in 1912, surviving her husband for many years. Their children were as follows: Vollie T., who died at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1918, was in the employ of the American Tobacco Company; Maude, who married a Mr. Ratterree, a druggist of Louisville; John Franklin, who was the third in order of birth; Belle, who married C. B. Long, a retired merchant of Madisonville, Kentucky; and Georgia, who married Dr. C. A. Niles, a physician and surgeon of Dawson Springs, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

            John Franklin Hoover attended the public schools of Livermore until he was sixteen years old, and then left school and came to Dawson Springs, arriving here in 1888. For a time he did whatever work he found to do, and later became a dealer in real estate, buying realty and holding it until he could sell at a profit. In 1918 he became superintendent of the City Water Company, and still holds that position, his offices being located on Railroad Avenue, at Sycamore Street. The company supplies Dawson Springs with water and manufactured ice, and Mr. Hoover superintends the operation of both plants. In addition to his duties as superintendent Mr. Hoover has numerous realty holdings, including his substantial modern residence on Franklin Street, which is supplied with city water, electric lights and other improvements, five dwellings, a business block on South Main Street, and in partnership with Dr. C. A. Niles owns sixty vacant lots in the city. He also has an interest in the Tolo Water Company's building and the company itself, and he is a stockholder and secretary of the City Water Company. A democrat, he served as a member of the City Council for several terms, and is active in his party. Fraternally he belongs to Dawson Lodge No. 628, A. F. and A. M. During the late war Mr. Hoover was one of the most zealous workers in behalf of the cause, and bought bonds and subscribed to the various organizations to the utmost extent of his means, and did everything within his power to aid the administration in carrying out its policies. In 1898 Mr. Hoover married Miss Cora Simpson, at Carmi, Illinois. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John M. Simpson. Mr. Simpson is now deceased, but was a farmer of White County, Illinois. His widow, who survives him, is residing at Carmi, White County, Illinois. The first Mrs. Hoover was a college graduate. She died at Carmi, Illinois, in 19o3, having borne her husband one son, John Franklin, Jr., who died at the age of ten weeks. In November, 1912, Mr. Hoover married at Jeffersonville, Indiana, Miss Stella Pearl  Dishman, born in Marshall County, Kentucky. She was graduated from the public schools of her native county and attended its high school course. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover have one child, Gene, who was born February 11, 192o. Having lived at Dawson Springs for so many years, Mr. Hoover naturally is interested in it, for he has assisted in its development and has been instrumental in bringing about many improvements, both as a private individual and as a public official.

Source: History of Kentucky, Vol 5.  By William Elsey Connelley and Ellis Merton Coulter. Published 1922.