Aaron David Hoke, manufacturer of half hose, Elizabethville, Pennsylvania, was born in Elizabethville, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 25 July 1868 1868, the only child of Jonathan Hoke and Clara [Matter] Hoke, both of whom are living.
He attended the common schools of his native place until he was eighteen years of age, when he went to learn the trade of currier with Mr. Bauder, near Elizabethville, with whom he served two and a half years, and then went to Philadelphia, where he worked at his trade in some of the leading shops for one and a half years. He then removed to Middletown, where he worked with the J. W. Rife Leather Company for three years. His next move was to Meyerstown, where he worked at his trade for two years. During those years in which he worked as a journeyman he was receiving good wages, and was saving his money. At the end of two years he came to Eiizabethville and, in April 1895, with Buffington, Enders and Hoke, formed the Enterprise Hosiery Company. He had the satisfaction of being able to embark in business with money saved from his own earnings, and is the architect of his own fortune, having supported himself since he was ten years old, and has made his way unaided. The capacity of the factory is fifty dozen per day, and a market for the goods is found throughout the State.
Mr. Aaron D. Hoke was married, in Middletown, Pennsylvania, 22 September 1891, to Miss Katy E. Bowman, of Williamstown, Pennsylvania. They have two children:
Wilmer Bowman Hoke, born 9 November 1893, and
Elsie Irene Hoke, born 16 June 1895.
Mr. Hoke has been active in promoting the success of the Republican party. He is a member of the United Brethren church, and is trustee of the official board, Sunday-school superintendent, and assistant class leader.
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The above information was modified/edited from Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, published in 1896 by J. M. Runk and Company of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. A free download is available from the Internet Archive.
See also:
Findagrave Memorial #57585936. Aaron D. Hoke died 19 November 1915 in Newport, Perry County, Pennsylvania, and is buried in Newport Cemetery at that place.