The early 20th century was a time of significant change and upheaval. For the people of working-class neighborhoods in Chicago, it was a life of pain and struggle and the same for the Hoare family on the South Side. They lived right next to the big Union Stockyards and, like many Irish Catholic families of their time, lived the value of resilience, hard work, and close family ties.
A row of red brick houses at 7721 South Sangamon Street, where a humble house of the Hoare family could not only be lived in but be a testament to their strength and unity. David Richard Hoare, Sr. Federal Meat Inspector, worked long hours in the stockyards, first on the kill floor before he was assigned to his government position. His daily life was punctuated by the small joys: his children eagerly awaiting his return home and his love for playing Irish jigs on the fiddle. His wife, Elizabeth (Lizzy), was the heart of the household wife, homemaker, and inculcator of values that would shape the lives of her children.
For the kids, life in the Hoare home was a combination of play, chores, and learning. Saturday cleaning days were family activities, with each child having a specific job—some more faithfully carried out than others. Young Dave, the baby of six, was frequently washing dishes, taking care of chores, or given a dime to complete a task that at the moment did not seem important but was all part of the growing-up experience. His sisters, older than he—Babe, Laverne, Lee, Bernadine (Pat), and Virginia—also had their duties, learning to manage the demands of household life alongside their developing interests and personalities.
The family’s life wasn’t without its trials. Illnesses were often treated at home, where the resourcefulness of the Hoare family came to the forefront. One particularly memorable moment involved the lancing of a boil on Babe’s body, an event so gruesome that Lee had to hide in the closet to avoid witnessing it. But there was no escaping the harsh realities of life in the South Side, and this was evident in how the Hoares managed adversity. The hardships of illness, family dynamics, and the tough external environment shaped the Hoares’ sense of unity and strength.
Despite their modest means, the Hoares found ways to enjoy life.
Taught throughout these years, the children of the Hoare family were made to understand the values of hard work, integrity, and loyalty toward family. The father worked hard, whether in the stockyards or through daily rituals of affection toward his children, who imitated him in this standard. The love of David Richard Hoare, Sr. for his children surfaced in the smallest gestures of caring such as a kiss before heading off to work or saving some of his lunch to share with family when returning home from work. These small moments, along with family dinners, community gatherings, and the bond of faith, formed the foundation of their family life.
Today, the Hoare family and their Irish Catholic legacy serve as a powerful testimony of how the love and strength of family and traditions can shape lives. It portrays a window into the lives of working-class families in early 20th-century Chicago, who, irrespective of myriad trials, persevered to build a life filled with love, resilience, and strength. The story of the Hoare family is now immortalized in the bestselling book “Whiskey Point and Methodists: Beginning stories, Ending Journeys” by David Holmes. This heartwarming memoir takes readers on a journey through the ups and downs of a family living in one of the toughest neighborhoods in America, showcasing the enduring power of love, faith, and determination.