Volume 6, Issue 2
Page 3
Spring 2011
(Parker Brothers, continued)
“We’ve spent ten years clearing out debris, eradicating Eastern red cedars and chasing off would-be poachers,” said Tony. “We even discovered a dead man near the river while hosting a church picnic,” he continued. Coastal Bermuda and native grasses have returned; wild turkeys and deer are common sites in the large pastures that are ringed with Cottonwoods. Hearing about the Land Conservancy from NALC donors John Potts and Stan Ward, the Parkers decided to give 286 acres of their land and a generous cash donation to assist with future conservancy responsibilities. Left: Bishop Creek flows through the Parker Ranch on its way to the South Canadian River and is home to mink, river otters and an occasional badger. Above right: Members of the Parker family have acquired skills and training to nurture and protect the American Kestrel, a small falcon that often struggles to survive among larger hawk species.
Hoover Family Farm History by Kay Hoover Collins John Alfred Hoover was born 1854 in North Carolina, where he lived until his father died in 1875, when at age 21, he headed West, where he toiled at various jobs, including Pony Express rider who was chased by Geronimo. On April 22, 1889, he made the Run with the opening of Indian Territory and found 160 acres near Noble, but a Frenchman was on the land illegally, so John offered him an Indian pony and $50 to leave the land and John filed his claim in Guthrie. A dugout was built and the Hoover farm developed into one of the best in Cleveland County. He terraced the hillside and drained the swamp with tile, new methods that brought many a laugh “It took two years and over from neighbors who later adopted John’s 375 e-mails to complete the progressive farming techniques.. easement, but we did it,” In 1893 he married Sallie Hodam proclaimed Kay Hoover and they moved into a two-room log Collins, Lancaster, Ohio, house; one room still had a dirt floor. during the closing of their The three oldest children were born in 226-acre family farm, which this house and the other eight were born was held at Old Republic in the two-story house they built on the Title Company on March 29, farm or in Noble at the house they 2011. owned there. J. A. had been in poor health caused by a fire on the farm because he kept going back into the barn to get more horses out. After he died in 1921, Sallie continued to work the farm and moved to Jim Hoover (middle) joint property Noble for the children’s schooling. Before her death in 1963, she sold owner from Stone Ridge, New the farm to her two youngest sons, Lloyd and Marvin. Prior to Marvin’s York, and NALC board members death in 1997, he sold his half interest in the farm to Lloyd. Since Ben Southerland (left) and Lynne Lloyd’s death April 24, 2008, the farm is owned by his children James Miller Stuart (right) inspect the and Kay. Hoover Farm prior to closing.
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