Martin+Hoban+House



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 =**Introduction**=

In [|1999], the Martin Hoban House (located at [|205 N. St. Louis Blvd., South Bend]) was added to the National Register of Historic Places as part of an "[|East Bank Multiple Property Listing]". The Indiana State Register also lists this historic [|Queen Anne Style home], however, it is not located within any of the [|St. Joseph County local historic districts]. According to the National Register, the Martin Hoban House is significant for its architecture and/or engineering. Mr. Martin Hoban ([|1848]-[|1903]), a well-known and respected contractor in his day, designed and built this home in 1896**.** The Martin Hoban House has been passed down and inhabited by the Hoban family even to this day.

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 =Background and Historical Significance of Martin Hoban House=

Of this early South Bend family, Timothy Edward Howard (__A History of St. Joseph County, Indiana__, published in [|1907]) speaks highly:

> //For many years the Hobans have been identified with the business interests of this city, aiding materially in the development of the resources of their sections and taking an active part in everything tending to promote the welfare and happiness of the majority. Martin Hoban, the father of Thomas M., was a native of [|Bath, Maine], but when only seven years old was brought by his parents to South Bend, and he became a well known and prominent resident of this city. For many years he was a general contractor, and was also prominent in the public life of his community, having served as the Democratic alderman of the Eighth ward for eight years. His death occurred in 1903, when he had reached the age of fifty-five years. He was thoroughly in touch with the people, and from a sincere and deep-felt interest in their welfare labored for all that would prove of public benefit until the busy and useful life was ended. Mrs. Hoban bore the maiden name of Julia E. Downey, and was a native of Rome, New York.//

> //Thomas M. Hoban, a worthy son of these honored pioneer settlers, was born in South Bend on the 20th day of July, 1878, and to its public schools he is indebted for the early educational training which he received, while later he became a student in [|Notre Dame University], from which he was graduated in law in [|1899], but in [|1900] he took a post graduate course therein. he has spared neither time nor labor in his preparation for the legal profession, and is recognized as a young man of great promise, with a bright future before him. (511-512)//

T.E. Howard makes mentions further mention of Martin Hoban as a young boy:

> //In the year [|1862], a frame building, eighteen by twenty-six feet, was erected on Lowell Heights, at the northwest corner of South Bend and Notre Dame Avenues, to serve as the first school for the larger boys. Here Brothers Raymond, Daniel, Romuald, and Philip, surnamed the 'Presbyterian' (because he was a lineal descendant of John Knox) taught the school for several years; and the large boys who they made good, still speak at this late date ([|1901]) with the fondest recollections of the school-masterly abilities and eccentric methods of these early masters....On September 13, [|1869], Father Frere, then pastor of the new church on the original Church property, had this school moved from the hill into the middle of the parish, to the site of the present parochial residence, and Brother Raymond taught the boys here until March 3, [|1871]; when Father Demers, a succeeding pastor, sold the school for $100 and the larger boys were returned to the Sisters in St. Alexis' school, which had in the meantime been called "The Assumption Academy." La petite ecole is now a neat little residence. It stands on East Madison street and may be recognized by the name of Martin Hoban, which this lad engraved on a door post while attending school on the hill. (Howard, 420-421)//

To the best of my knowledge, this "neat little residence" is no longer located at this E. Madison Street location, otherwise, I would have loved to take a photo of Martin Hoban's inscription.

T.E. Howard describes Martin Hoban's important contribution to the city of South Bend in further detail: > //...On July 22, [|1889], an experiment in brick pavement was determined upon. Jefferson street, from Michigan to Lafayette, was ordered paved with “two courses of hard burned brick.” This was the first modern pavement laid on the streets of South Bend. William M. Whitten, then the efficient city engineer, drew up the specification with great care. The block from Main to Lafayette was an excellent pavement. The brick for the experiment was ordinary building brick, made in the Leeper brick yard in South Bend. This brick pavement was laid down by Martin Hoban, contractor, and remained in good condition until its removal in 1907. (Howard, 370)//

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 = Hoban Family Tree=



By exploring various documents and resources, I've attempted to piece together a family pedigree for this early South Bend family. To view my Martin Hoban Family Tree, follow this link.

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 =Works Consulted=

"Historic Preservation: Howard Park National Register District ." __The Official Site for St. Joseph County__. St. Joseph County Commissioners. 19 Oct 2007 <[|http://www.stjosephcountyindiana.com/new/departments/SJCHP/districts/howardpark.html>.]

Howard, Timothy Edward. __A History of St. Joseph County, Indiana__. 1907. 2 vols. Evansville, IN: Unigraphic, 1971.

"Indiana Properties Listed on the State and National Registers." __Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology Website__. Indiana Department of Natural Resources. 18 Oct 2007 <[|http://www.in.gov/dnr/historic/bin/nrlistnew.pdf>.]

"Indiana-St. Joseph County." __National Register of Historic Places (Unofficial Website)__. 19 Oct 2007 <[|http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/in/St. Joseph/state.html]>.

"Queen Anne Style architecture." __Wikipedia.com__. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 19 Oct 2007 <[|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Anne_Style_architecture>.]

"Saint Joseph Co, IN Marriage Index 1927-1954." __RootsWeb__. The Generations Network. 19 Oct 2007 <[|http://userdb.rootsweb.com/marriages/>.]

"SJCPL Obituary Index." __St. Joseph County Public Library Website__. St. Joseph County Public Library. 19 Oct 2007 <[|http://www.sjcpl.org/Obits/Search_Form.php>.]

South Bend Area Genealogical Society, "Index to Saint Joseph County, Indiana Wills." __RootsWeb__. The Generations Network. 19 Oct 2007 <[|http://www.rootsweb.com/%7Einsbags/wills.htm>.]

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 * //Primary Author of this Wiki Page: Lisa Wynn//**