Fresno County, California Biographies

Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of 
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with 
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)

History By Paul E. Vandor 
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes 
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
 
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


THOMAS A. HOOVER. � The pioneer carriage and wagon manufac- 
turer of Fresno, well and favorably known in Fresno's early days as the maker 
of a superior type of camp wagons and stages, Thomas A. Hoover is a native 
of the Buckeye State, born at Hamden, Ohio, April 2, 1852, and at the begin- 
ning of the Civil War his parents moved to Odell, 111., where they lived on 
a farm, and it was in the district school of this community that Thomas A. 
Hoover received his early education. 

When he reached his majority, Mr. Hoover moved to San Antonio, 
Texas, where he engaged in carpenter work, and for nine years followed con- 
tracting and bridge building. Afterwards he went to St. Louis, Mo., where 
he established himself as a carriage and wagon manufacturer, continuing in 
the business for a period of three years. 

In 1887 Mr. Hoover arrived in Fresno, Cal., where he engaged in the 
real estate business ; later on he opened a shop for the making of wagons 
and carriages, which was located on Merced Street, near H Street; one of his 
specialties was a camp wagon, which was so thoroughly and dependably con- 
structed that it made its builder famous in the San Joaquin Valley as the 
manufacturer of the best grade of vehicles ; all of his work being done to 
order. The name of "Hoover" on a carriage or wagon was a synonym for 
best quality and workmanship. 

The advent of the automobile gave Thomas A. Hoover an opportunity 
to develop his inventive genius, and in 1909 he began the manufacture of 
auto springs and engaged in general repair work on automobiles at his plant, 
1823 Merced Street. 

In 1910 associated with Edward Downing he established the Hoover 
Spring Company at San Francisco, and remained there three years during 
which time he was engaged in getting the plant in running order. 

Mr. Hoover has secured a number of valuable patents on his inventions, 
on six of which he is receiving royalties. He has four patents on automobile 
bumpers, two on automobile springs, and one on a tire carrier. These are 
all manufactured by the Hoover-Persons Spring Company. In 1914, Mr. 
Hoover formed a partnership with H. G. Persons, and they conducted the 
business under the firm name of Hoover-Persons Spring Company. In 1917 
he sold his interests in the company to Mr. Persons, but receives a royalty 
on his patent springs and bumpers. 

The Cambria Springs Company of Los Angeles, is also engaged in man- 
ufacturing his patent bumpers. Mr. Hoover has retired from active partici- 
pation in business, but receives royalties on his many patents and sees that 
his goods are kept up to standard. 

Thomas A. Hoover was united in marriage in 1884 with Isabel Gorla, a 
native of Missouri, and they are the parents of three children: Gus L., who 
is associated with the Pacific Coast Lumber Company of San Francisco ; 
Isabel, is now the wife of Richard Bensburg, Cape Town, South Africa; and 
Elma resides in San Francisco. 

During the long period of his residence in Fresno, Mr. Hoover has wit- 
nessed its wonderful growth and development, and is justly proud of the part 
he has contributed to the advancement of the general business and welfare 
of the City and County.