[page 826] William S. Hoar, son of Jonathan and Christina Hoar, was born in Reedsville, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1845. He acquired a good common-school education, but principally through close application to his books during his leisure hours at home. His older brother having died, and also his father, before he was thirteen years of age, he learned in youth the responsibilities of life. He was accustomed to farm work, but at the age of seventeen he entered a civil engineer's office. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam, receiving a severe wound in the latter engagement, which confined him to the hospital for five months; he was honorably discharged and returned to [page 827] Altoona, Pennsylvania, broken in health. When he had recovered sufficent strength to go to work he began the study of telegraphy, and worked at the business for five years.

In 1870, at Tyrone, Pennsylvania, Mr Hoar was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Barnhart, daughter of the Rev Thomas and Hannah (Hall) Barnhart. Six children have been born of this union: Thomas, Laura, Henry, Mary, Paul and Helen. At the time of his marriage Mr Hoar was book-keeper at the Locomotive Works of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at Tyrone, Pennsylvania, and remained in their employ thirteen years. In 1879 he determined to take up agricultural pursuits, and he removed to Page County, where he bought land, to which he has added, until his farm covers 240 acres. At the present time he is devoting his time and attention to the breeding of high grades of cattle, horses and hogs.