Peter Hoke, great-great-grandfather of Jacob Hoke, a native of Germany, came to America at an early date, and received a deed for his land from an Indian Chief. This grant was afterwards confirmed by Penn's heirs. Mr. Hoke's great-grandfather, Jacob Hoke, spent his whole life on this land, which was situated in York County, Pa. Here his grandparents, Jacob and Anna Mary Grons Hoke, passed their lives.

Jacob Hoke, the third of the name, father of Jacob Hoke, was born on his father's farm in York County, Pa., where he spent his childhood and early youth. He was a hatter and broom-maker, and was also a fine mechanic in wood. After his marriage, Mr. Hoke removed to Frederick County, Md., where lie was engaged in milling and making brooms.

Jacob Hoke was married, in York County, Pa. to Mary Link, of York County. Their children are: 1, Annie, widow of John Septer, resides in Emmitsburg, Md.; 2, Sarah (Mrs. Augustus Stieg), of York; 3, Jacob; 4, John carpenter, resides at Mount St. Mary's College, married Margaret Shob; 5) Elizabeth (Mrs. Joseph Claybargh), resides near Thurmont, Md.; 6, Amanda (Mrs. James Moran), Of Hagerstown, Md.; 7, George, died in youth. Mr. Hoke and his wife died in Frederick County, Md.

Jacob Hoke received the greater part of his education in the Annandale School house. His first teacher was John Donnelly, and be continued his studies under Mary McDermott. Henry Annan, Charles Eichelberger, Jerry Damuth, William Sharretts, Martha Moore, and Michael-McFadden, leaving school a eighteen.

During the winter, his spare time was spent in helping his father in making brooms. In summer he assisted 'his father to repair the roads for whose condition his father was responsible, having been supervisor for fifteen years. When he was twenty-three, Mr. Hoke began making brick for his father-in-law, Benjamin Keilholtz, on the farm which he now owns.

After he purchased the farm, he continued business in the brickyard for several years. In 1875, Mr. Hoke removed to Adams County, Pa., where lie remained for nineteen year. Not long after his removal, he was elected supervisor in Adams County. Two years after the death of his father-in-law, in 1895, he returned to Frederick County and purchased the farm on which be now resides. "Mountain Farm," consisting of 128 acres of fine land, is one mile southeast of Emmitsburg, and was part of "Shield's Addition."

The house was built about two hundred years ago, by Ebenezer Shields, the first of that name to occupy the farm. Mr. Hoke has greatly increased the value of the land, by the use of fertilizers and by intelligent cultivation, and has repaired the buildings, and made various other improvements. He and his wife had no financial advantages. Their prosperity is the reward of industry and hard work. Mr. Hoke is a Democrat, interested in all that concerns the welfare of the community.

Jacob Hoke was married, May 18, 1871, to Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Derr Keilholtz, who was born on the old Paxon farm near Emmitsburg. The children of Jacob find Mary Elizabeth Hoke are: 1, Mary Elizabeth Effie, (Mrs. Phillip King), of Waynesboro,: Pa., has four children, George, Edwin, Pauline, and Harold; 2, Flora (Mrs. Harry Shully),, of Reading, Pa., has two children, Frederick and Miriam; 3, Kramer J., principal of the schools of Manchester, Va., is a graduate of Emmitsburg high-school and of Mount St. Mary's College. 4, Alice, at home; 5, Henry living in Illinois, married Miss Gait, and has one child, Mary; 6, Clarence; 7 and 8, twins, Lottie and Lillie; 9, Keilholtz.

Mr. Hoke and his wife are members of the Reformed Church in Emmitsburg, Md.

Return to index on Emmitsburg names in William's History of Frederick County

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