Hoare from the Penzance Parish of Cornwall
FORMER ST. JUST MAN WAS AMATEUR BOXING CHAMPION OF OHIO
William Harris Hoare. Born Newlyn 1891
“Cousin Jack”, William “Bucky” Harris Hoare, who worked in the mines at St. Just in 1912, packed his bags for the United States and made a name for himself in boxing circles in the “New World”, writes home to his fellow Cornishmen . . .
“I am 73 years old and was at one time in the fight game for seven years. In 1916 I won the amateur championship of Ohio at 135 lb. I was also picked as one of the boys to go to New York to represent the Edgar Thompson Steel Mills. I was picked as champ at 147lbs. in 1921.” So says the St. Just-born boy who also lived at Newlyn.
Memories of Cornwall include diving for plates in Newlyn harbour and working in the mines at St. Just – “I took first prize in swimming events at Newlyn with my boots and clothes on!
“I married a St. Just girl,” he continues, “by the name of Ellen J. Hosking, in 1912. I was out here 10 years before my wife came out. I had two children, a boy and a girl. Now they are married and settled down. I am the grandpa of 19 great-grandchildren – they are all good to me, and my wife tells me there are more to come!”
Thinking of making a trip home. “Bucky” says, “if I come home I would see quite a change – 50 years is a long time. Many of my friends are dead or scattered.”
“THE CORNISHMAN”
Mr. Hoare of 571, Ardilla Avenue, Akron 6, Ohio, says, “I have lots of friends here who get “The Cornishman”. I used to get it every week from Mrs. Annie Wilcock, St. Just”. Telling of relations in St. Just Mr. Hoare writes that his wife has a sister there – Mrs. Bertha Rowe, of 29, Princes Street.
The American press tails “Bucky”. Although now 73 he is still regarded affectionately as “champ”. A press cutting tells worried readers that “Harris takes it easy after fall”. This follows an accident in which “Bucky” slipped off a stool – but you can’t keep a good man down.
At present he is still connected with physical fitness. Every morning sees him doing a “work out” in his basement and nearly every evening training young boys in the art of self-defence – free of charge.
“Lots of people think I am rich after all these years”, adds Mr Hoare. “In fact I have a little; I own my lorry and car so what more can a fellow ask for?”
I have been wanting to make a trip home for a long time but never got to it: I might make a trip next summer but am not sure yet – Well I am running short of room, cheerio for the time . . .”
STILL FIT AT 73 YEARS OF AGE
Mann Family Connection