The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Hoe, Robert (inventor)

HOE, Robert, American inventor: b. Leicestershire, England, 1784; d. 1833. He came to the United States in 1803, was for a time a joiner, and later entered partnership with his brothers-in-law, Matthew and Peter Smith, for the sale of a hand printing-press, the invention of the latter. He took over the business in 1823. He retired in 1832. The original Hoe printing-press was designed and built by him. He is believed to be the earliest American machinist who utilized steam as a motive power in his plant.