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Charles Stokey
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CHARLES STOKEY, burgess of Zelienople, and a life-long resident of Butler County, is one of the prominent and enterprising citizens of Zelienople, where he has resided for the past thirty years.
He was born April 22, 1856, in Jackson Township, a son of Henry and Margaret (Behr) Stokey. Henry Stokey was born in 1822 in Alsace, France, where he grew to maturity and during the early fifties, when the government was changed from a republic to a monarchy he became dissatisfied and emigrated to the United States. He had prior to this made three trips to this country, and first located in Philadelphia for a short time, after which he removed to Pittsburg. He continued his residence in this city for two years, at the end of which time he located on a farm in Jackson Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania. In 1864 he became proprietor of a hotel, which he conducted successfully until 1869, when he located on a farm, which is now a part of the present site of Evans City. In 1878, he purchased the Old Eagle Hotel at Zelienople, conducting same until the time of his death in 1883. Henry Stokey married Margaret Behr, who was also born in Alsace, France, in 1830, and is at present a resident of Zelienople. The following children were born to Henry Stokey and his estimable wife, namely: Theodore, died aged seventeen years; Henry, proprietor of the New Hotel Stokey; Jacob, and Lewis, residing on a farm in Jackson Township; and Charles, the subject of this sketch. Charles Stokey, was reared in Jackson Township and obtained his educational training in the common schools of that locality. He devoted considerable time to the work on the farm and after leaving school worked for three and a half years at the harness trade in Evans City. In 1878, when his father purchased the Old Eagle Hotel of Zelienople he became manager of it, continuing as such until the death of the father in 1883, after which he took entire charge of the hotel until 1899. He then leased the hotel for five years, and in 1904 again became its proprietor. Shortly afterward, he disposed of it, since which time he has lived in retirement on the old Amos Lusk farm, which is located in Zelienople. There is a fine running spring on the place, and it is claimed that General Washington drank from it on his way from Allegheny County to Venango. Mr. Stokey is a Democrat in politics and has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his party. He has served as a member of the Town Council, and in March, 1903, was elected burgess of the village of Zelienople. He resigned from same and was again elected in 1906. He is a director of the First National Bank of Zelienople. Mr. Stokey is very prominently identified with fraternal organizations. He is a Mason, of the Blue Lodge No. 429 Harmony; Royal Arch Chapter of Butler County; Tankard Commandery of Pittsburg No. 48, and of the Pittsburg Consistory. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of the Arabic Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Stokey is the father of the following children: Leila; Ellsworth; Russell and Herschell (twins), and Carl. Source: 20th century history of Butler and Butler County, Pa., and respresentative citizens, McKee, James A., 1909, page 619-620. |
