JOSEPH LOUIS HOEY.  The Hoey family was planted in America by Samuel Hoey, who 
was born in Dublin, Ireland, later lived in Scotland, from which country he 
emigrated to America, settling in easter Pennsylvania, and later coming to 
Westmoreland county, near Saltsburg, Pennsylvania. The original Hoey (Samuel) 
was a farmer and a tanner. His farm of three hundred and sixty acres, in what is 
now Franklin township, three miles southeast of Murrysville, was taken up ny 
John Byrns, in 1774, who was sold out by the high sheriff of the county, Charles 
Forman being the purchaser. October 21, 1788, he conveyed it to Samuel Hoey, who 
on April 22, 1814, willed it to his son James and daughter Ann Hoey. April 13, 
1828, they completed the payments due and received a government patent signed by 
Joshua Dickenson, secretary of the land department. The farm was now divided and 
subdivided, and by deed dated July 6, 1833, Samuel Hoey (the second), eldest son 
of James and Eleanor (Huey) Hoey, came into possession of one hundred acres of 
the original tract, purchasing it from his aunt, Ann Hoey. This farm was in the 
possession of the Hoey family for one hundred and seventeen years, and only 
passed from their control in 1905. The "Forbes" road, built in 1758 by Colonel 
Forbes on his march to Fort Duquesne, passed through the north end of the farm. 
Samuel Hoey (the ancestor) married, in Scotland, Mary McNeil, who bore him 
several children, one of whom was James.<br><br>

James Hoey, grandfather of Joseph L. Hoey, born in 1785, married Eleanor Huey. 
James was a farmer, and noted for his piety and his great strength. Many stories 
are told of his strength, one being that he could lift and stand erect with five 
bushels of wheat. Among his children was Samuel.<br><br>

Samuel Hoey, father of Joseph L. Hoey, was born June 29, 1814. He was left an 
orphan when nine years of age, therefore his opportunities for securing an 
education were limited. He, however, possessed great natural ability. Being 
gifted with a wonderful memory he retained the facts noted in his extensive 
reading, and thus became a man of considerable prominence. He numbered among his 
personal friends Congressman John Covode, Judge Mellon, D. W. Shryock, and other 
prominent men. He was a great lover of music, and was a teacher of the vocal 
art. He was ever and first a farmer, and never abandoned it. In politics he was 
an ardent Republican, and was for many years assistant revenue collector of his 
district, consisting of five townships. In 1870 he was census enumerator for 
Franklin township. In 1870 he ran for county treasurer, but failed of election, 
the county being strongly Democratic. He was later elected jury commissioner for 
one term. He was a man of strong religious convictions, and intensely loyal to 
the Presbyterian faith. He was a regular church attendant, and when a young man 
walked seven and a half miles to worship in his chosen church. In later life was 
trustee and treasurer of Murrysville Presbyterian church.<br><br>

January 8, 1839, at the farm house of William Thompson, in Washington township, 
he married Susannah De Walt. The ceremony was performed by Dr. David 
Kirkpatrick, father of the late Judge Kirkpatrick, of Pittsburg, and pastor of 
the Poke Run Presbyterian church. After the ceremony Mr. and Mrs. Hoey went on 
horseback to the home of Mr. Hoey's mother, where they began housekeeping, and 
where their children were born and reared. Susannah De Walt was born June 24, 
1820, a daughter of Peter and Charlotte (Mauck) De Walt, of Delmont. Her parents 
died when she was but a child, and until her marriage she had been supported 
entirely by her own efforts. The children of Samuel and Susannah Hoey were . .