E. R. Hoag, farmer and stock-dealer, P. O. Ionia, was born in Peoria County, Ill., December 26, 1844. Came to Jackson County, Kan., and to Jewell County in the fall of 1871, where he took a homestead eleven miles southwest of Mankato, and is now the owner of 320 acres of land, and feeds 200 head of cattle. In July 1861, he enlisted in the United States army, in Company A, Illinois Second Light Artillery. Discharged October 4, 1864. Was married April 22, 1869, in Tazewell County, Ill., to Miss Catherine Anderson. They have four children – Winter, Emita, Mary and Clay B.