Children
Irvin Laubach Stocker
Cornelia Anabelle Stocker
Amanda Stocker
Ida Susanna Stocker
Anna Alice Stocker
Sibling(s):
Lucy
Ann Stocker
Emeline Stocker
William Urias
Stocker
Johannes
Zacharias Stocker
Elisabeth
Diana Stocker
George
Washington Stocker
James Henry
Stocker
Anna Maria
Stocker
Jackson
Emanuel Stocker
Joseph Dillworth
Stocker
Jacob
Amandus Winfield Stocker
Sydenham E.
Stocker |
Notes: Thursday,
Feb 29, 1924, Page Two, Easton Express
William U. Stocker, Easton's Oldest Resident, Dead at 100
Veteran Lumber Dealer was active in business until recently;
always interested in Public Affairs
William U. Stocker, Easton's oldest resident, died at 10:45 o'clock
last evening at home of his daughter, Mrs. Ida S. Altemus, No.
1103 Jackson Street, of pneumonia and infirmities incident to
old age. He had been ill for one week. On September 12, 1923,
Mr. Stocker celebrated his one-hundredth birthday. His widow,
Mrs. Sarah Laubach Stocker, will be 95 years of age on March
7 and at the present time is in poor health.
Mr. Stocker was born in Greenwich Township, Warren County,
New Jersey, on September 12, 1822, and was a son of the late
Jacob and Rosanna Stocker. In 1830, his parents moved from
Warren County to Williams Township, Northampton County. He
was educated in the township schools and worked in his father's
stone quarry until 1840, when he turned his attention to farming.
In 1844, he leased several acres of mineral land, near South
Easton, which he valued at $50.00 and this he finally sold
to the Glendon Iron Company.
On March 12, 1850, he was married to Sarah A Laubach, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Laubach, of Williams Township. In
1852 he rented a farm on the Bushkill Creek, where he remained
until 1855, when he returned to his father's-in-law farm, which
he purchased. In 1860, he began the purchase of standing timber
on various tracts of land and started in the lumber business,
in which he was engaged until recently.
In 1875, the Lehigh Valley Railroad shops in South Easton
were about to removed to Phillipsburg when Mr. Stocker went
about among the citizens and collected enough money to purchase
the block between Valley Avenue and Iron Street. A large shop
building was erected on the site and the industry remained
on the South Side to give employment to hundreds of Eastonians.
He worked very diligently until the houses on the block were
removed and the new building was erected.
On March 12, 1923, Mr. and Mrs. Stocker celebrated the 73rd
anniversary of their wedding. For many years Mr. and Mrs. Stocker
resided in Cedarville, Williams Township, and when their daughter,
Mrs. Ida Altemus, moved to Doylestown Township, Bucks County,
about ten years ago, they went there and lived with her for
six years. Two years ago, Mrs. Altemus returned to Easton to
live and her parents have since resided with her. In 1913,
which Mrs. Altemus lived in Detroit, Mich., her father paid
her a visit. He was then 90 years of age.
Mr. Stocker is survived by his widow and by four daughters;
Mrs. Amanda Becker, wife of R. G. Becker, Mrs. Ida S. Altemus
and Mrs. Anna Sampson, all of this city and Mrs. Annabella
Barr, widow of John R. Barr, Jr., now residing at Fort Ruger,
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, with her son, Captain Elvin Barr,
U. S. Army. He also leaves one brother, Jackson Stocker, of
Reading and eleven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Mr. Stocker was a member of the Lutheran denomination.
In 1911, Mr. Stocker was a candidate for one of the nominations
for County Commissioner on the Republican ticket but failed
to land the prize. He was active for many years in Republican
politics and last November voted in the eastern district of
the Eighth Ward, being taken to the polls in an automobile.
During his long career he made many friends in this and adjoining
counties and all who know him remarked on his activity in spite
of increasing years and good judgment in business matters.
In 1918 after celebrating his 95th birthday he went to Bethlehem
to close a big deal with the Bethlehem Steel Company for a
lot of lumber and the same week he went to New York to see
several parties on business matters. His success in life was
based on his close application, diligence and honesty and he
was held in high esteem by the entire community. |
