Jared B. Hoag
1857-1938
Jared B. Hoag was my maternal great grandfather, born in McLean County, Illinois two days before Christmas in 1857, and lived a tragic life. He was born to a physician, William Cushing Hoag, and his wife Electa Ann Mitchell. Jared attended the College of Commerce in Bloomington, Illinois and was active in the theater. He kept a scrapbook, which I have in my possession, filled with clipped articles from the local newspaper. He loved poetry and clipped out printed poems to add to his scrapbook as well. One article in the scrapbook, date unknown, states "The Literary Society- The meeting of this well known organization, last Friday evening, was one of unusual interest. The attendance, order, and program were all that could be desired. The retiring president, Mr. A. P. Cory, gave an appropriate valedictory address, while his successor to the chair, Mr. Jared Hoag, fairly outdid himself. His remarks were well timed and full of sound advice. The program for the evening embraced the following exercises, viz: Declamation, Agnes Cory: vocal duet, Miss Kate Rowell and Mr. A. J. Abbott; recitation, Mess Cora Vance; solo, Miss C. A. Longley; oration, M. C. C. Rowell; declamation, Mr. Ed. Bourquin; duett, Miss C. A. Longley and Mr. A. J. Abbott. Resolved, that the rebel private soldier should be pensioned, was the subject of the debate; affirmative, Messrs. A. J. Abbott and J. R. Morrison; negative, Messrs. W. C. Hoag and P. H. Vance. The new male quartette, consisting of Messrs. Bud Johnson, A. J. Abbott, Jud B. Vance and Jared Hoag, rendered two jubilee songs, which fairly brought down the house. The society starts out for the winter with brighter prospects for good work than ever before." After college, Jared traveled to Iowa, as stated in a newspaper article found in the Medicine Lodge Cresset, Medicine Lodge, Kansas; before traveling on to Kansas. His many exploits are chronicled in the Cresset between the years 1888 and 1899.
The marriage announcement of Jared was clipped and pasted into his scrapbook: "Hoag-Graves. At the residence of the bride's parents, on Bitter creek, west of this city, Jared Hoag was married to Miss Florence Graves, by Probate Judge, H. H. Hardy, on yesterday (Wednesday) January 25th. Jared is one of our most prosperous farmers and ranchmen and is a young mad of good character and resources. His bride is the handsome, bright daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Gaves, well known and respected in this city. may they live long and prosper is the wish of the Cresset. We presume they will at once go to housekeeping on Mr. Hoag's splendid ranch near Mingona. LATEST-We have just received a box of lucious, soul-inspiring cake, brought in by the Hon. Probate Judge, with the compliments of Mr. and Mrs. Hoag. The boys in the office say this is the second couple that has been legally married in this county in the past two years, on account of this being only the second time we have received cake in that length of time."
The first article I found while reading the microfilmed version of the Cresset was the October 1888 issue that states "Hoag vs. Co. Commissioners. Petition in error sustained and order of County Commissioners reversed." Most of the articles I found with regard to the county commissioners was for road variances. From April 5, 1888, "The Jud Hoag farm near Mingona, the Carter ranch, near Lake City, the Staubus farm on Cedar creek and many others deserving of mention but were crowded out of this issue. The individuals mentioned above are all from Illinois and are among our best and most influential citizens." Jared "Jud" Hoag owned a fine horse named Turk described as "Grey Eagle and Hambletonian; color: bay; age 7; weight 1,050" in the January 7, 1889 edition. I previously posted a photo of Jared with Turk harnessed to a buggy on the main street of Medicine Lodge. From January 9, 1890 is the birth announcement for his first born son, Mitchell William Hoag. "Born to Mr. and Mrs. Jared Hoag, a big, handsome male baby. This occurred on the second day of the current decade. Dr. Kociell." Jared hauled cattle to the Kansas City beef market for George Hendrickson in February of 1890.
In the September 26, 1889, edition of the Cresset is where I first read of a Breach of Promise suit brought against my great grandfather. "Since our last issue the case of Schoenbeck v. Hoag has been on trial. Yesterday (Wednesday) morning the jury found a verdict for the fair plaintiff for $2,200 - she sued for $5,000. This is a case that proves letter writing to be a bad thing. Mr. Hoag pays $2,200 for a brief but interesting correspondence." This article led me to the Barber County Courthouse where I looked up and obtained copies of the case. Lina Schoenbeck, from his hometown in Illinois, brought suit after Jared married Florence Graves in Barber County, Kansas. The letters referred to in the article were not a part of the file. They were in the possession of the plaintiff's attorney. One wonders if Jared had obtained the services of a better attorney the case may have turned out differently. The result of the suit was the complete sell out of livestock owned by Jared. It was sold at auction by the Sheriff's office. I haven't looked at the land records to see when he sold his ranch, but many years ago my mother and I traveled to the location where we believed the home stood. Jared built a magnificent barn which my mother recalls seeing when her father, Mitchell, took them on a tour of the area.
Jared and Florence had two more children, Elsie and Ray. In the November 1897 edition of the Cresset is the obituary of Florence Hoag. Jared cut it out and pasted it into his scrapbook. It reads, "Florence Hoag, wife of Jared Hoag, of Mingona township, and daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Graves, died at her home on Tuesday night, Nov. 30th, of consumption. She was laid to rest in the cemetery near this city, on Thursday, Dec. 2nd. Mrs. Hoag was about 28 years of age. She leaves a husband and three small children, her father and mother and a brother, besides a wide circle of friends to mourn her loss. She was taken to the mountains of colorado last summer in hopes that the disease would be stayed, but as winter drew near she became worse and returned to her home in this county a short time since. Mrs. Hoag was a good woman. Her death so early in life is to be greatly deplored, and the sorrowing husband and motherless children have the sympathy of all." "Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Graves expect to go to their farm in Oklahoma this week and take with them their little grandchildren- the three children of J. Hoag."
I don't know how many trips Jared made to Oklahoma to see his children, for he remained in Barber County. Mitchell made a trip back at the age of 16 to find his dad. I believe this was the first of many trips. Jared did sell his farm and moved in and worked as a hired hand for Thomas Parr. He is listed as boarder in the 1900 U.S. Federal Census. In the Kansas State Census of 1905, Jared is living with J. B. and Alice Gano and remained with them at least through the 1930 U.S. Federal Census. J B Gano died before that census and Alice was the manager of a hotel in Belvidere, Kansas. A handwritten letter in the back of his scrapbook, " 6 27 31 Mr. Hoag no doubt you were surprise when Mr. Young came in after you but no more surprise when he got home with out you Mrs Young came over & toled us Mrs Seams wouldn't let you come I thought this to be a mistake. Been waiting to hear from you telling all about the reasin you didnt come & if you were gitting along well. Has Mitchel & Ray been back yet. A G." The letter was from Alice Gano, and eludes to the fact that Jared was not living with her at this time. I don't have knowledge of the Young or Seams families. Jared did buy some lots in Belvidere as contained in the "Memorandum of Agreement between William Mitchell Hoag of Mutual, Oklahoma and Robbins Ranch, a partnership composed of Edward C. Robbins and Richard W. Robbins of Belvidere, Kansas selling lots five (5), six (6), and seven (7) of Block eighteen (18) in the Town of Belvidere" for $1,050 dated the 20th day of February in 1943.
This photo was taken on the porch of the hotel where Jared lived until he became ill in 1938. His son, Mitchell, came from Oklahoma and took him home with him. Mitchell's wife, Mary, was known for taking care of ill family members. Jared died at the home of his on the 18th of June in 1938 at the age of 81 years, 5 months and 24 days.
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