History of Venango County PA Vol. 2 p. 831, Thomas Hoge
From History of Venengo County PA, Vol.2, Brown, Runk & Co., Chicago, 1890;Reprinted 1894 for Venango County Historical Society, Franklin, PA, John Morrie Co. Chicago. p.831.
Thomas Hoge, deceased, was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, March 7,1808, son of John and Mary (Irwin) Hoge. His grandparents, Robert and Mary Hoge, were natives of Ireland, as were also his maternal grandparents, James and Martha Irwin, who emigrated in 1760 and settled in the Tuscarora valley, Juniata County. His parents were married in 1789 and reared a family of five sons, Thomas being the youngest. He received a common school education, and at the age of seventeen went to Cleveland, Ohio, remaining in the West several years. He first engaged in the iron business at Mount Etna furnace, and in 1833 took charge of Slab furnace in Cranberry township. For a number of years he was in partnership with William Cross and their early operations were quite extensive. He was among the very few men who retired from the business in thie county with unimpaired fortunes.
In 1853 he removed to Franklin, thenceforth his residence until the time of his death, March 12, 1885. A man of active temperament and great determination, he rose to a position of wealth and influence; he was twice elected to the legislature, served as mayor of Franklin, and was responsibly connected with various financial enterprises.
In 1835 he married Harriet Cross, who died the following year. In 1837 he married Jane Whann, who died January 31, 1854, leaving two children: Mary J., widow of Alpheus Hoover, and Harriet E., widow of William A. Cooper, both of whom reside in Franklin. His third wife was Eliza Henderson, who died in 1879. At the time of his decease and for some years previously, Mr. Hoge was a member of the Methodist church.
