PHILIP L. HOOVER.-Enterprising, energetic, and possessing rare business ability and tact, Philip L. Hoover, of Carlisle, Sullivan county, is widely known as head of the firm of P. L. Hoover & Bros., which has exclusive control of the manufacture and sale of Dr. Cox's Barbed Wire Liniment, one of the best and most wonderful articles of the kind in existence. A native of Sullivan county, he was born, July 22, 1869, in Haddon township, which was, likewise, the birthplace of his parents, John M. and Ann T. (Cartwright) Hoover. He comes of pioneer stock, his grandfather, Philip L. Hoover, first, for whom he was named, having been one of the early settlers of this township.
Coming from Pennsylvania, his native state, to Sullivan county, the grandfather, Philip L. Hoover, took up land, entering about six hundred acres. He was a tailor by trade, and worked at it some in connection with farming. He served as a soldier in the Mexican war, and after his return from the army devoted his attention almost entirely to agriculture, becoming one of the leading farmers of this part of the county, his homestead property being near Carlisle.
Born on the home farm in 1845, John M. Hoover succeeded to the occupation in which he was reared, and as a general farmer and stock-raiser was successful. As a man and a citizen, he was held in high respect, and his death, which occurred May 5, 1889, was a loss to the community in which he had spent the greater part of his life. He married Ann T. Cartwright, who was born June 27, 1835, and is now living, making her home in Carlisle, Indiana. Her father, William C. Cartwright, was born in Virginia, from there coming to Sullivan county soon after the arrival of the first family of Hoovers. He subsequently married Sarah Ledgewood, who was born in this county in 1804, being the first white child born within its precincts. In politics, John M. Hoover was a steadfast Republican, and in religion his wife was, and is, a consistent Methodist. Five children were born of their union, namely: Nolan C., of Carlisle, a member of the firm of Hoover Brothers, and its traveling agent, married Sadie Vance, a native of Haddon township, and they have two children; May, born April 5, 1866, died in childhood: Philip L., of this sketch; Elmer G., born June 19, 1872, is also traveling for the firm, his home, however, being in Carlisle; and Hester A., born May 9, 1874, is a member of the firm of P. L. Hoover & Brothers. All of these children were reared on the farm. Elmer and Hester both attended the Indiana University, at Bloomington. Hester also took a course of study at the State Normal school, and for two years was a teacher in the graded schools of Carlisle.
Remaining on the home farm until twenty years old. Philip L. Hoover then accepted a position as clerk in the drug store of W. J. Curtner. Subsequently going to Terre Haute, he was for a time similarly employed in Jasper D. Denison's drug store, where he formed a familiar acquaintance with the details of the business. Forming a partnership, then, with A. M. Morris, he embarked in business in Carlisle, becoming junior member of the firm of Morris & Hoover. While thus engaged this firm formed a separate business in company with Dr. Cox, of Carlisle, placing before the public the Barbed Wire Liniment formulated and manufactured by the doctor. Two years later, Mr. Hoover bought out Mr. Morris, and for four years managed the drug business alone. In 1895, he admitted his brother Elmer to partnership, and later the remaining members of the family were admitted to the firm, his mother, his sister Hester, and his brother Nolan all becoming equal partners in the business, the name of the firm being P. L. Hoover & Brothers. In 1900, this enterprising firm sold out its drug business, and also the telephone exchange, which Mr. Hoover had for some years managed in partnership with Charles Griffin. In 1897, Mr. Hoover bought out Dr. Cox, and since 1900 the firm has manufactured Dr. Cox's famous Barbed Wire Liniment, and in placing it on the market has been very successful. By extensive advertising its merits are widely known, and it is now sold in large quantities throughout the West and South, being found in all of the leading drug and general stores of Kansas, Oklahoma, Florida, Washington, Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan, Minnesota, Georgia, Alabama, California, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas. The use of this liniment in this vast territory of states is a sure proof of its medicinal virtue, and bespeaks the energy and enterprise of the firm that handles it, and the great advertising ability and knowledge of its members.
In 1892, Mr. Hoover married Xenia Anderson, who was born in Cass township, a daughter of Joseph Anderson, now a resident of Sullivan. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover have two children, Glenn and Helen. Politically Mr. Hoover supports the principles of the Republican party. Fraternally he belongs to Carlisle Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., to which his brothers also belong; to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a member of both lodge and encampment; and to the T. P. A.