Cecelia and Edward marry on Septrmbert 1st, 1926.
In 1929 Edward takes a stab at running for a political office.... and is badly trounced.
living in the rear of 232 East 7th Street in Mount Carmel, it is belived, on the 2nd story of the structure located there.
They have two children, Ramona two and John ("Jack"), not yet one.
Edward is employed as a coal miner.
They have two male boarders living with them. This was fairly common during the Great Depression either to save a few dollars or to earn a few dollars.
In 1932 Edward's father died. His father owned a saloon in his residence at 6th and Walnut Streets in Mount Carmel. Edward converted that space into a grocery store
Edward moved his family into his parant's home but it is uncertain when. However, it is certain that it was years before his mother died.
Edward was an avid hunter and fisherman, but fishing was his first love.
This outing was in August 1935.
It's not known when Edward joined the Clover Hose Fire Company in Mount Carmel but when he did he was a lifetime member.
The event here was in February, 1947.
He seemed to not be contebt to be a passive member of the organizations he belonged to. He was often chosen or volenteered to be a part of the governing body of many of the organizations he joined.
Throughout his adult life Edward immerrsed himself in a significant number of community organizations This was one of his earliest in August 1938.
This April 1920 article is the earliest indication that Edward had begun a catering business.
George Arnold, known as "Nig", was his right hand man throughout his catering career. This small affair was overshadowed the many rather large events hr catered thgroughout his career.
He ran his catering business out of his home on Walnut Street in Mount Carmel.
By 1940 Cecelia and Edward have six children, Ramona 12, John, 10, Edward Jr 8, Robert 6, Mary Ann 4, and Jeanette 3.
Thy will have no more children afterwards.
A boarder, Steven Friday, rounds out the` home's occupants. He dies On May 27th 1940 at 87.
Edward is listed as being a salesman in a general store.
Edward's mother died in June 1937 and now owns his home having purchased it from his siblings.
For many many years in Mount Carmel, and surrounding areas, it was considered quite newsworthy to kill a wild animal. This time in early December of 1941, when the entire world went askew with its most horrific war ever.
Oddly, it was the custom in Mount Carmel to display a downed deer strung on a rope between two trees in front of a popular saloon.
Edward was not subjected to the draft, which began in 1940, due to his age and being the sole provider for his family.
In April of '42 as World War II heated up there were genuine fears of the possibility of an air attack. Communities across the country staged periodic blackouts to assure readiness for the real thing. Edward served as an Air Raid Warden on these occasions.
Many everyday items were in short supply, rationed, or not available at all. Rationing stamps were distributed on a monthly basis for many items. Edward served as a coordinator for the rationing controls in his area.
Throughout the 1940s. and beyond, polio was a fearsome scourge that in many cases left its victems paralyzed. It attacked President Roosevelt and left him unable to walk. To provide research funds to find a cure, Roosevelt instituted the "March of Dimes" as a means of raising money.
And, dances were held througout the country on Roosevelt's birthday as fund raisers. In January of 1943 Edward served as co-chairman for one sich event.
Edward's catering business is highly regarded throughout the area. Multiple all day events such as this, all on the same day, became the norm.
Edward's organizational skills served him well in his vocational endeavors but also allowed him to take part in many varied community projects such as this stage production in November 1944.
In June of 1945 Edward decides to run for public office once again.
And is beaten once again.
In April of 1946 Edward is appointed by the Pennsylvania governor to the office of Mount Carmel Justice of the Peace.
Edward knew his community well and was able to mete out justice taking into account thye character of the individual before him. The most virulent were treated accordingly while those whose transgressionss were less vehemently motivated were treated less harshly.
Sadly he lived in an era when too many men regarded their wives as chattel.
This massive parade and following feast, in August of 1946, was held as an expression of gratittude to the veterans who servered in World War II.
Astounding may be the most appropriate word to describe it and the preceding preparations.
Edward's life ends tragically and prematurely, at age 46, in Cannada on September 22nd 1948.
At the time of this census, in 1950, Cecelia and her chhildren are all still living in the Hook homrstead.
Fortunately the mortage had been paid off several years before Edward's death
It is unknown if Edward had life insurance or savings and to what extent.
Ramona at 22 was working in the office of a local garment factory and was the major source of income. She and her mother continued to live in the Walnut Street home for the rest of their lives.
John 20, is a sales clerk in a store and is attemping to keep the catering business alive. Before too long he willl join thr army. Then worked in a state goverment job in Harrisburg, Pa while livung in Mount Carmel while delving deeply into local politics.
Edward 18, is enrolled at Fordham University in NY but within a year he will have married and be living in Harrisburg, PA.
Robert 16, following high school graduation joined the Air Froce. After his service he married and had a home in Williamsport, PA. He had a life long positions in sales management.
Mary Ann, 14, earned a degree in Education at Penn State and later settled in Marcy, NY teaching disadvantaged children in the Utica, NY Public Schools.
Jeanette 13, worked breifly in Washington DC then Philadelphia before marrying and settling down in Elysburg, PA with her husband and three kids.
