Biography |
BIOGRAPHY: James Hooven was born on the 30th of March, 1808, in Chester County, and when a youth removed with his parents to Upper Merlon township, where he became a pupil of the neighboring district school, but under the watchful care of his mother acquired a more thorough rudimentary education. He early cultivated a habit of study and reflection, was a skillful translator from the German and purposed devoting him to a literary career. Circumstances, however, influenced this termination and developed as successful a man of business as would otherwise have adorned the field of literature. At the age of fourteen he entered a country store located at King of Prussia, in the same township, and in 1830 embarked in business with a partner, remaining thus engaged for two years, when Norristown became his home. Here he formed a co-partnership with Dr. George W. Thomas, and was for seven years interested in mercantile ventures. The business of lime-burning next occupied his attention until 1846, when he sought a wider field of operation, and, in company with Mordecai R. Moore, erected a rolling-mill which still operates. In 1870 he extended his manufacturing interests by the erection of a blast furnace, and filter of a pipe-mill. In 1864 he was elected president of the First National Bank of Norristown, which office he still fills. He was also the first president of the Stony Creek Railroad. Mr. Hooven was, in 1833, married to Miss Emeline Henry, of Evansburg, Pa. He was a second time married, in 1874, to Helen Cushman, of Norristown. Mr. Hooven was formerly a Whig in his political predilections and subsequently became a Republican, though never in the arena of politics. He was among the earliest advocates of the doctrine of abolition, and the stanch protector and friend of the escaped slave, who found a safe abiding place under his hospitable roof. Mr. Hooven was a delegate to the National Republican Convention in 1860, and aided by his vote in the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency. He is a supporter of and pew-holder in the Protestant Episcopal Church of Norristown, though exercising a kindly toleration toward all religious denominations.
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