Gustav Hoops

Gustav Hoops was born in Elharm, Germany, in 1886. He was the son of Henry and Catherine (Hampsel) Hoops. His father was a broker and clerk of courts.

Gustav served as apprentice to a bricklayer for three years, and during the winter worked as a butcher. Having heard that masons were in great demand in the United States, he decided to travel here. Friends from his community, families of Gluss, Bergstedt, Timme, Fitzenreiter and others, had settled in Hamler, Ohio.

In 1903, he sailed for the U.S. After passing inspection at Baltimore, he came to Hamler. For a number of years he worked for the Gluss Brothers who operated a cement factory.

In 1907, he married Emma Eickhoff, who was born on a farm north of Hamler. She was the daughter of Henry and Marie (Schroeder) Eickhoff. They started housekeeping in the first home south of the B&O Railroad on First Street (Highway 109). The house was remodeled in 1915 and they lived there all their married lives, with the exception of one year when they moved to a farm he had purchased from a Mr. Konzen, which at the present time is owned by Tony Guelde.

In 1909, Gustav's brother, George, came to the U.S. They bought the meat market that was located at the present location of the office of Dr. H. C. Brown. They later moved to a building which is presently the site of the Hamler State Bank.

For many years Gustav bought and shipped livestock. When they sold the meat market, Gustav continued buying and shipping for the Farm Bureau and also farmed 40 acres which he purchased from Fred Bartels. He built a slaughterhouse on the farm and did custom butchering for farmers during the winter.

In 1940, he became manager of theDouble D Locker. Later on, he bought the locker and operated it until 1956. He was mayor of Hamler for over 25 years, manager of the Hamler baseball team during the 1920's, and for years operated the Hamler Theatre. He was very interested in community affairs and served numerous years on the Democrat central committee.

Gustav and Emma were the parents of six children. They were members of the Lutheran Church. Their children, all graduates of Hamler High School, are: Hertha, Amelia, Montana, Raymond, Marion, and Lulu.

Hertha married Richard Cody, a right of way agent of the State of Ohio. They live in Malinta and have three children: Robert, Mitzi and William.

Amelia married Alvin Dachenhaus, a farmer, and they live west of Hamler. They have two children, Judith and John.

Montana married John Cuff, a lawyer, and they live in Napoleon. They are the parents of John III, Thomas and Susan.

Marion, deceased, was married to Carl Kossow, a farmer. They lived north of Hamler and were the parents of two sons, Kenneth and James.

Lulu married Burdell Hissong, an office manager, and they now live in Tampa, Fla. Their two daughters are Barbara and Patricia.

Raymond was an instructor in a college in Fitchburg, Mass. He never married and died on July 13, 1974.

Submitted by Mrs. Amelia Dachenhaus