“James Hoover, tall, strong, gentle, thoughtful, black man made City Hospital function for many years. He worked 16-hour days, 7 days a week and was on call every night. His mind was not encumbered with education. He had a keen intellect that cut quickly to the source of a problem, and produced an innovative solution quickly. His commitment, honesty and frankness were tempered by his great strength which allowed for unusual gentleness and kindness. He has been dead for many years and each day I am more aware of my indebtedness, and this community indebtedness, to James.”
Dr. Joe B. Hall, from introduction of video interview
of Theressa Hoover, daughter of James Hoover
James Cortex Hoover was born on July 4th in 1896 in Harris Community east of Fayetteville, Arkansas. His father was Albert Hoover. He died on December 11, 1954 at the age of 58. He is buried at Oak Cemetery, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Hoover was raised by his grandmother. His grandfather was a Methodist minister who helped build St. James Methodist Church in Fayetteville, now on the historic registry. The church was built from discarded bricks from the University of Arkansas’ original building, known as Old Main in 1873-1875. James Hoover was a leader in the church for many years.
Hoover married Rissie (last name and date unknown). They had 4 children, (in order) Albert, Minerva, Frances, and Theressa. After his wife’s death when the youngest child, Theressa, was about 4 years old the maternal grandmother moved to Fayetteville from Cane Hill and helped care for the children. Later James married Edith M. Stevens (date unknown), a woman from Bentonville, Arkansas. With his second wife he had one child, Russell.
Hoover finished only the sixth grade but had drive, determination and a strong sense of responsibility, attributes he taught to his five children.
Four of his five children graduated from college. At that time, the University of Arkansas was not racially integrated so he sent one of his girls, Theressa, and one boy, Russell (son of Edith) to Philader Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas; one daughter, Minerva, to University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (at that time, the Land Grant College for African Americans); a son, Albert to Southern University in Louisiana on an athletic scholarship, one daughter, Frances, to nursing school and then later to Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas near where she worked at the Veterans Administration Hospital. Russell is the only one who did not complete his college degree.
James Hoover served in the US Army during WW1. When he was discharged he moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas. At that time, Fayetteville City Hospital was seeking a dependable porter. He was hired in 1919 and worked there until his death 35 years later. James Hoover was so respected at Fayetteville City Hospital that a wing of the building was named in his honor. This respect came from his ability to do almost anything asked of him, cheerfully and well. Dr. Harrison said, James Hoover knows the human bone structure as well as any doctor. It is never necessary for me to take an x-ray of a broken bone. He can tell where the bone is broken by feeling it and set it correctly.”. James was ambidextrous and could do thing equally well with either hand. Before the hospital had an elevator, James carried people up the stairs to the hospital wards. He was ever smiling, ever ready when a job was to be started or finished. “He knew how to be gentle even with his superior strength. He was equally good with children and old folks”, said Miss Riley.
Theressa Hoover, his daughter, said that her father was very disciplined. He got up early and heated the cooking stove, got the children up, then walked over the hill about six or seven blocks to the hospital. Theressa remembers on several occasions taking him something from home. When she couldn’t find him anywhere else she could find him in the laundry room helping to get the laundry out. Theressa said that her father was a giant to her. He was strong and patient, but expected the children to do as told. He was highly respected in the community. When he walked home from work, everyone along the way greeted him. Sometimes neighbor children would hang on to his arms as he walked. Hoover worked long hours but if the hospital was not busy on Sunday, he would go to the Methodist Church with his children. Later he got a half day off on Sundays, a special time for the family. Even though he could not be at home for dinner, a plate was always set for him at the head of the table, for he might have time to come home to eat.
Sources:
Pat Donat,Fayetteviile City Hospital 1912-1991, p. l6
Northwest Arkansas Times,February 27, 2005
Northwest Arkansas Times, May 10, 1987
Northwest Arkansas Times.1960 Centennial Edition
Arkansas Country Doctor Museum Interview of Theressa Hoover DVD #21
Dr. Joe B. Hall, Dr. Betty Battenfield, Visit /Interview with T heressa Hoover, March
10, 2008
Funeral records from Watson Mortuary
B.L Battenfield
l0 August 2008