A Portrait and Biographical Record of Hendricks County (Chicago: A.W. Bowen & Co., 1895)--pages 1052-1053
Amos Hoak, one of the most progressive farmers of Middle Township, Hendricks County, Ind., is a native of Pennsylvania and of German extraction, but of Virginian descent proximately. His great-great-grandfather, John Hoak, who emigrated from Germany to America, settled in Richmond, Va., where he engaged in farming and the mercantile business, and founded one of the early American colonial families. Cunrod Hoak, son of above and great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Richmond, Va., and was the owner of a large plantation in that state, but on account of his dislike of slavery he sold his possessions and emigrated to Lancaster County, Pa., then a new county just being organized. He there made for himself a home and a name and there he died, a member of the German Reformed Church. John Hoak, son of above and grandfather of our subject, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1770, and by trade was a tailor, but he was also engaged in farming. He married Hannah Cummings, who died in 1811, and he and his wife were both members of the German Reformed Church. He was a patriot and fought in the War of 1812, sacrificing his life for his country, being one of the seven men killed under Jackson in the battle of New Orleans. Martin Hoak, father of our subject, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., April 1, 1797. He secured a good common-school education for his age and engaged in the profession of teaching some years, in which he attained considerable success. He married Elizabeth Myers, born 1803, daughter of John Myers. Their children, born in the following order, were named, Daniel (deceased), Henry, Amos, Hannah, Martha (who is deceased), Jonathan, Joseph and Isaac. The father and mother were married in the fall of 1825, in Lancaster County, Pa., and there settled on a farm and were ever after engaged in farming and identified with the history and development of that county. He was honored by the old Whig Party, of which he was a stanch supporter, and elected justice of the peace. They were members of the German Reformed Church, honest, industrious citizens, and merited the esteem in which they were held. He died in June, of 1858, and she died in June of 1881. Both lived to a ripe old age.
Amos Hoak, our subject, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., December 3, 1831. When aged twenty-five years he left home for Dayton, Ohio, and engaged in farming a few years, then located in Middle Township, Hendricks County, Ind., and farmed six years, then engaged in general merchandise business at Pittsboro for a few years, in company with a brother. Since his marriage, however, he has retired to his farm. He married Margaret Hale, widow of Jacob Hale, and mother of three children: Sarah (deceased), Susan and Jacob B. (deceased). Mrs. Hoak is the daughter of William and Jane (Benton) McLeod, the former of whom was a prominent and successful farmer of Middle Township. In religion they were Regular Baptists, and he was a prominent man. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoak have been born the following children: Ida M. (Boughman), Nettie (Biller), William (deceased), and Harry (in school). Mr.Hoak has a model farm of 100 acres, with a two-story, well-furnished farm residence and a large, nice barn. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and has been elected county commissioner, running ahead of Ben Harrison. He is a member of the F. & A.M., and of the Odd Fellows, lodge No. 342, in the latter of which he has passed all the chairs, and has represented it in the grand lodge.