Wilber N. Hoag, born September 10, 1833, in Wilton, Saratoga County, New York, was the son of Rev. Nelson Hoag. Educated at Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, he pursued various business ventures, eventually establishing a prosperous lumber trade in Akron, New York. He served as a public official, including president of Akron and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Hoag married Cynthia L. Eckerson in 1862. His father, Rev. Nelson Hoag, was a dedicated Methodist minister born June 24, 1811, in Oswegatchie, New York, and died August 10, 1844, in Akron. His mother, Lorenda Woodworth, was born September 24, 1812, and died May 17, 1867.
Wilber N. Hoag, of Akron, a son of Rev. Nelson Hoag, was born in the town of Wilton, Saratoga County, N. Y., September 10, 1833, and received his education in the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y. In 1852, he left that institution and went to Medina, in the same State, where he at first clerked in a store, then entered into the boot and shoe business, and after six months’ trial there, went to Jeddo, where he remained two years. In 1860, he returned to Akron, his adopted village, where he has since remained and marked his career as a public-spirited man, and an active business citizen of his town and village.
Mr. Hoag began in Akron without means; the first three years working at the trade of carpenter and joiner. He then became ticket and freight agent at that point for the New York Central Railroad Company, also acting as agent for the American Express Company, and continued in this position twelve years. While there, Mr. Hoag began taking and filling orders for lumber, and made the beginning of his prosperous lumber trade afterward and of the establishment of his yard in 1870. He also, during the meantime, gradually worked up the business of Fire Insurance, and is now doing a good business for the Ætna, North British, German American and Glens Falls companies. During one season, he filled the position of Superintendent of the Akron Cement and Plaster Company but owing to the arduous work in his other fields of labor, gave it up at the expiration of that time.
He has also represented his village in the confidence and trust of public office, having during the years 1881 and ’82, filled the position of president of Akron, and formerly served a number of terms as trustee of the village board. He has been during the last six years, president of the Maple Lawn Cemetery Association, and although not a member of any religious society has been trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church and president of the board for a number of years. He organized the Akron Lodge F. and A. M., No. 527, in the year 1861, and is a member of Buffalo Chapter and Lake Erie Commandery. His financial career has also been successful and he has added to the beauty of the place a number of elegant and substantial buildings, both business and dwelling houses. He has lived a strictly temperate life. On October 1, 1862, Mr. Hoag was married to Cynthia L., daughter of Tunis Eckerson, one of the oldest and most respected residents of the town of Newstead. She was born April 15, 1839.
Rev. Nelson Hoag, father of Wilbur N. and brother of Rev. Wilbur Hoag, was born in Oswegatchie, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., June 24, 1811. He was converted to God under the pious labors of Rev. Dr. Brayton, in Wilton, Saratoga County, N. Y., in 1832 or ’33, and there united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In October, 1836, he was received on probation as a traveling preacher in the Genesee Conference and graduated to the office of elder, and continued to labor as a successful and faithful minister of our Lord Jesus Christ, till, disabled by his last sickness, he fell at his post, dying as he had lived, wearing his armor and trusting in God. After his conversion, he went to Lima and attended the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary in 1836, and afterward filled appointments in Dansville, Avoca, Warsaw, Porter, Wilson and Akron, reaching the last named place in the year 1843. He died August 10, 1844.
His wife Lorenda Woodworth was born in Moreau, Saratoga County, N. Y., September 24, 1812, married April 14, 1831, and died May 17, 1867, having lived an active, zealous Christian life. There were born to them five children as follows: Permelia Jane, born May 8, 1832, died July 18, 1832; W. N. Hoag, born September 10, 1833; Lyman, born in Lima, Livingston County, June 29, 1836; Wilson Porter, born in Avoca, March 22, 1840; and Louisa L., born in Akron, May 27, 1844.
