The Hoover Family and the Blind Brothers of Randolph Township

The Hoover Family and “Blind Brothers” of Randolph Township

The Dayton Herald newspaper gives
us an account of the Hoover family in
the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
It is obvious that the Hoover family
maintained its status and prominence
in the community and were much
loved and respected.

April 16, 1895
At the residence of the blind Hoover
brothers, it was estimated that 150 to
200 people attended the marria ge of
Charles Hoover to Mary C. Curtis.
They were married by Rev. Isaac
Waymire on the porch of the home.

August 24, 1895
A dinner was held at the hom e of James Folker . In attendance were four Hoover brothers .
After dinner, time was spent surrounding the brothers as they entertained the guests with vocal
and instrumental music. Charles Hoover provided excellent violi n music emitting sweet and
charming strains as only Charley could deliver.

July 1, 1896
On June 27, 1896, C harley Hoover and h is brothers w ere in a “close call accident ” in Union.
The boys were in a carriage driven by Albert Pu rcell on route to New Carlisle where they were
to give a concert . A traction c ar engine scared the horse causing it to rear up and plunge
forward. It fell and broke its neck as it hit the ground causing the carriage to turn over. Charley
Hoover fell out an d his leg became caught in the wheel while the others all escaped without
serious injury.

November 2, 1898
Prof. Charles Hoover and his wife headed to Indiana to prov ide “musical entertainments.” It
was also reported that John Fry and his wife moved in with the “blind Hoover brothers.”

July 14, 1899
The “blind Hoover brothers” provided good music for the crowds at a lawn party in Union.

November 22, 1900
A social party was held at the home of I. F. Eidemiller in the evening. Among the many guests
were Eli, William and Charley Hoover. The “blind Hoover brothers ” provided good musi cal
entertainment while they and others in attendance sang songs of the day.

January 9, 1903
Prof. Charles Hoover and his wife travelled to Kentuc ky to give a concert while Prof. Moravey
moved into the residence of the “blind Hoover brothers.”

Randolph Township Historical Society and History Center – 114 Valleyview Dr. Englewood, OH 45322 – www.rths.org
The Hoover brothers from left to right:
Eli, James, Charles and William

December 25, 1905
Two couples and Mr. Ira S. Owens were guests at the home of the “blind Hoover brothers” in
the evening. Musical entertainment was served as well as taffy, cake and popcorn.

May 6, 1906
The “blind Hoover brothers” entertained friends in their home.

January 29, 1907
A party of seven members including fami ly and friends visited wi th the “blind Hoover brothers”
where they listened to music on the phonograph.

March 18, 1911
The Dayton H erald newspaper gives an extensive report on the death of t wo of the blin d
Hoover brothers. The headline reads ‘Death of bl ind b rothers recalls history of remark able
family.’

There were eleven children in the Daniel and Susan Hoover family with five of them born blind
from birth: James, Hannah, Charles, William and Eli. The other children were: Lavina, Andrew,
Henry, Abraham , Sa rah Ann , and Eliza. William and Eli were the oldest living of the blind
siblings and died within three days of each other from what was commonly called the grip, also
known as influe nza. William died on a Tuesday and was buried on Thursday . On Friday, Eli
died and was buried on Sunday.

The Hoover family was one of th e most noted pioneer families in Montgomery C ounty and
especially in Randolph Township. Daniel Hoover was the first white child born in the township
in 1803, the same year that Ohio attained its statehood. In 1822 , he married Susan Byrkett.
Their home was buil t on the ground where 8 00 Indians camped just before the battle of
Tippecanoe. Their home was also the scene of many religious and social gatherings as well as
the mecca of music lovers.

The children who were blind were sent to Columbus where t hey were educated a t the Ohio
Institution for the Blind. There they dev eloped their remarkable aptitude for music, both vocal
and instrumental, and much time was devoted to these studies. When all were graduated from
school, the siblings began touring the count ry, giving concerts, and providing entertainment to
thousands. They stopped touring when their brother James died in 1872. Charley died in 1905.

Eli learned the trades of broom making an d carpet weaving and worked in these occupations
for over 60 years. William conti nued his studies in music and for several years became a
professor of music at the institution from which he graduated.

The Hoover f amily lost another family member later in 1911 when
Andrew Hoover died on November 18, 1911 at the age of 83. He was
born in Union on August 9, 1828 and married Charl otte Gable on
July 21, 1850. She died in 1905.

Many of the children born to Daniel and Susan Hoover are resting
peacefully at the Minnich Cemetery on Phill ipsburg-Union Road in
Union: Abraham, Andrew, Charles, Eli, Hannah, James and William.
Eli and William, having died just days apart share a headstone which
indicates them as “Blind Brothers.”