This family is found on the records of Columbia county, New York, prior to the revolution. The earliest record is of Peter Hover, of Germantown, Columbia county. He had a son, John P., of Germantown and Livingston Manor, Columbia county, who died in 1782, said to have been born before 1746. There is a John Hover named in a list of residents of Livingston in 1790. This is probably a son of John P. Hover, who married Gertrude Stall and had issue. The Amsterdam family descend from John Hover, before mentioned. John Hover enlisted in the Tryon county militia for service in the revolution. As he was named a settler in the county in 1790, it is in all probability the same John.
(II) John P. Hover, son of Peter Hover, was born in Livingston Manor, Columbia county, New York, prior to the revolutionary war, in which no doubt he took a part. He married Maria Sherman, who was of the same ancestry as General Sherman of civil war renown. She survived her husband and died in Michigan. They reared a large family, most of whom married and had issue.
(III) Peter S., son of John P. and Maria (Sherman) Hover, was born in Livingston Manor, New York, June 3, 1811, died April 7, 1893. When a young man his parents removed to Montgomery county, settling in the town of Florida. After the family removed farther west, Peter S. remained and acquired a farm at Snook's Corners, of the historical part of the town. He married Ann Eliza De Groff, born November 7, 1815, in Florida, died there May 16, 1906, daughter of Isaac and Amy (Hugaboom) De Groff. The De Groffs located in Montgomery county prior to the revolution, settling in Florida, where they have been known ever since as one of the prominent agricultural families. Isaac De Groff was born in 1763, died January 20, 1850. He was twice married, Mrs. Peter S. Hover being the daughter of his second wife, Amy Hugaboom. He had issue by both wives. Peter S. and Ann Eliza (De Groff) Hover were the parents of the following children:
- Isaac, born August 29, 1837; was for years a prominent farmer and politician of Florida, now living a retired life in Amsterdam; married, December 15, 1869, Catherine, born in Fulton county, New York, 1847, died August 28, 1875, in Florida, daughter of David and Jane (Major) Vanderbogart. Her father died in Fulton county, but her mother is still living, at the age of eighty, in Amsterdam. Isaac and Catherine Hover had two sons:
- Walter I., born November 12, 1870, now a leading lawyer of Amsterdam, and
- William P., born April 28, 1872, a prominent lawyer and ex-city attorney of Amsterdam, New York.
- Maria, married David Snyder, who left one son by a former marriage, Edward Snyder, D. D. S., of Amsterdam.
- John F., see forward.
(IV) John F., son of Peter S. and Ann Eliza (De Groff) Hover, was born in the town of Florida, Montgomery county, New York, on the old De Groff homestead, September 15, 1841. He was reared to the calling of a farmer, which he followed many years. He later in life became a house mover, which line he has since followed in Amsterdam. His life has been a successful one, and he is now enjoying the fruits of his labors. Politically he is a Republican; he is a member of Chuctenunda Lodge, No. 100, Knights of Pythias. He married (first) in Amsterdam, Ursula Van Bogart, born 1845, died 1871; they had a child who died in infancy. He married (second), 1878, Mary E., born Amsterdam, 1843, daughter of David Norton, of Montgomery county. Children:
- John, died in infancy.
- Jennie, married D. E. Morse, a merchant of Amsterdam; they have one child, Charles Walter Morse.
- Ella M. The family is connected with the Reformed church.