Miami Union

March 23, 1911 

HOOVER, ELI - Union--A family of eleven children is no ordinary group.  But a family of eleven children with five of them blind and living to old age in the night of eternal darkness is a most uncommon condition of human existence.  Such has been the experience of the Hoover family in Randolph township of Montgomery county.  The last of its blind members died last week under circumstances of the most peculiar association.  The blind members of the family lived to the following ages: James Eliott 38; Hannah 54; Chas. E. 59; William 75 and Eli 86.  The last two named have been during the past fortnight suffering with the lagrippe together.  William died Tuesday of last week and was buried on Thursday.  The next day (Friday) Eli died and was laid to rest Sunday, March 19, the funeral taking place at Union.  It was one of the largest funerals in our neighborhood for years.  From Tuesday until Sunday the Hoover homestead has been the scene of funeral rites and the last of these blind citizens, who were so highly esteemed by their neighbors, are now gone.  With their great affliction in the loss of sight they were withal the most cheerful, intelligent and useful citizens.  The record of this remarkable family with all of it diversified experiences would make a story that would surpass any romance.  Many prominent landmarks have been swept away from the vicinity of Union during the past few years, but none more noted that those of last week.  William and Eli Hoover were the sons of Daniel and Susan Hoover, and were members of a family of eleven children.  Five of these eleven children were blind from birth and upon reaching the proper age were educated in the Ohio Institution for the Blind at Columbus.  They developed marked aptitude for music, both vocal and instrumental, and much time was devoted to its study.  After completing their education they began a tour of musical entertainments in Indiana.  They met with such success that from that time they were upon the road giving musical entertainments extending over a period of very many years.  Almost every church and school house in this part of Ohio, as well as in other states, resounded time and again with the strains of music from this gifted and afflicted family.  The musical quintet was broken in 1905 when Charles died.  Andrew Jackson was born with sight.  He married Charlotte Gable and is now living at Englewood.  Henry Clay was born with sight, married Anna Barbara Cook; both are dead.  Abraham Anton was born with sight, married Julian Gable; both are now living at Union.  James Elliott was born blind and died in 1872.  William was born blind and died last Tuesday.  Sarah Ann was born with sight and died when not quite a year old.  Charles was born blind and died in 1905.  He married Mary Curtis who traveled with him all over the country in his tour of musical entertainments.  Eliza Jane was born with sight.  She married Geo. W. Eby.  They are now living at Union.  Daniel Hoover, the father of this remarkable family, was the first white child born in Randolph township.  He was born in 1803, the year in which Ohio was admitted into the Union, and in 1822 he was married to Susan Byrkett.  Their home was the scene of many religious and social gatherings as well as the mecca of the lovers of music.  The blind brothers were known all over the United States.  

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