Robert Hoe
Robert Hoe (1784–1833), born in Leicestershire, England, was a master carpenter and machinist in the United States, where he emigrated in 1803. In 1823 he became sole proprietor of the R. Hoe & Company, retiring in 1832. A skilled mechanic, he constructed and introduced the original Hoe press and was, it is thought, the earliest American machinist to utilize steam as a motive power in his plant.
Family
He was the father of Peter Smith Hoe, Richard March Hoe (1812-1886) and Robert Hoe (1815-1884). Richard Hoe became an inventor, developing the rotary printing press, which revolutionized newspaper publishing. Robert II (19 July 1815 New York City - 13 September 1884 Tarrytown, New York) was associated with his father and elder brother Richard in business. He was one of the founders of the National Academy of Design, and a patron of young artists. His son Robert Hoe III became a bibliophile.
Notes
References
Wilson, James Grant; Fiske, John, eds. (1892). "Hoe, Robert". Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. New York: D. Appleton.
Robert Hoe III
Robert Hoe III (10 March 1839 New York City – 22 September 1909 London) was an American businessman and producer of printing press equipment. He succeeded Richard March Hoe as head of R. Hoe & Company, which continued its preeminence among printing-press makers. He was one of the organizers and first president of the Grolier Club, the well-known New York organization for the promotion of bookmaking as an art.
On August 12, 1863 at Trinity Chapel, Wavertree near Liverpool, he married Olivia Phelps James (1837-1935), who was the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Woodbridge (Phelps) James. Olivia's brother was Daniel Willis James. Robert and Olivia had 9 children.
He was an extensive collector of rare books and manuscripts as well as silver, miniatures, and other art objects, his collections at the time of his death being valued at several million dollars. The catalogues of his library were unique and valuable from both a typographical and bibliographical standpoint. His collection was sold at auction during 1911 and 1912 with almost half going to Henry E. Huntington including a Gutenberg Bible.
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