George Hook
and
Mary Paholski

The Hooks of Mount Carmel Pennsylvania

George Hook 1858-1932

Wife Mary Paholsky 1863-1937

Daughter Mary Hook

Mary's husband Thomas Poznansky

Son Michael Hook

Michael's wife Verna Evansho

Daughter Anna Hook

Anna's husband Joseph Kuryllo

Son George Hook

George's wife Helen Reese

Son Edward Hook

Edward's wife Cecelia Strike

1900Census — This arrival passenger list fr0m May 16, 1882 shows the name Georg Hudak at the bottom. Ancestry.com indicates that this is George Hook but shows no other evidence. While the date does fit well with other events in George's life it is difficult to accept. In the 1900 US census George gives his birth date as January, 1859. And, on that same census it shows Mary. their first child as being born in 1886.... BUT, in Hungary, four years after George presumably left there. It's easy to conclude that George came to America after 1886 unless George was being less than honest with the census taker.

Based on census documents George's birth place was elusive.
1900: Hungary
1910: Hungary/Ruthenia
1920: Poland
1930Ukrainia/Russia

Citizenship documents, below show George as being Austrian. The likelihood is that George always claimed he was Ruthenian and that befuddled governmmental people charged with getting forms filled out.

Based on daughter Anna's recollections George and Mary both, presumeably, were born, marrired and gave birth to their first child Mary, in Helcmanovce, within the Austro-Hungarian empire.

1900Census — In 1892 George goes to the Schulkill county court house in Pottsville, PA and declares his intention to become a US citizen. There is solid evidence that George was living in Big Mine Run just East of Ashland, Schulkill County PA at that time.

According to the 1900 census George and Mary were married for 16 years (in 1884). First child Mary was born in Europe in 1886. Second child Michael was born in 1890 in America. So, George, Mary and daughter Mary migrated from Europe between 1886 and 1890. But, all this is based on what George and Mary told the census taker in 1900 was accurate.

1900Census — Two years later in 1894 George Goes to the Northumberland county courthouse in Sunbury, PA to apply for US citizenship. George apparently moved to Mount Carmel, PA between 1892 and 1894 where he spent the rest of his life. There is no record showing where he, Mary and the two kids initially lived in Mount Carmel.

On May 12th 1897 George buys the structure at the corner of 6th and Walnut Streets in Mount Carmel, PA very close to the Centre Turnpike. He and his wife Mary raised five children there and then resided there for the rest of their lives. One wonders how he acquired the money for the transaction which must have been regarded as a considerable amount at that time. Also family lore has it that George lost an arm in a mining accident but it is not known when it occured. It's likely that it occurred prior to this sale and the purchase was mmade to provide a source of income as a "hotel" run by a handicapped person.

The Centre Turnpike ran from Reading to Sunbury. It exited Ashland and then continued across Locust Mountain on the current Ashland Road, a.k.a. Snake Road, and ran through Mount Carmel and continued northwest up the south side of Big Mountain to Natalie at the top and beyond.

1900Census — 1900 Census listing all children except Edward who was not yet born.
Note that it indicates that George and Mary were born in Hungary. Subsequent census years indicate both Mary and George were born in different countries.

1900Census — This news item reporting that George and others applied for the establishment of a Ruthenian "Corperation" clearly indicates George's strongly held belief that his origins were not associated with any country.

1900Census — 1910 Census listing. The Hook family begins on line 65. The census now contains Edward the youngest child. The oldest children, Michael and Mary, listed on the 1900 census had left their Mouunt Carmel home.

1900Census — George causes a ruckus.This incident Raises some questions. Why would anyone "sell" the Power of Attorney in a situation like this? Was this a way to settle a debt owed to George? If so why would George have to Buy access to it? Why didn't the mine rep have some documentation to show George... or did they and George was not accepting it? Or is the newspaper reorter unable to do their job accurately?

1900Census — This photograph from June 15th, 1917 shows George, the manager of the 1917 high school baseball team, in the upper right corner.

1900Census — 1920 Census listing. The Hook family begins on line 15. Anna has left the home. Only two sons remain, 20 year old George Thomas and 16 year old Edward. Their house had five bedrooms so they were able to take on a boarder, May John.

1900Census — George had a slot machine in his saloon, which was illegal, and was summoned to court to show why it should not be destroyed. A lost cause to be sure.

1900Census — Once again George is in trouble with the law. This time in December 1928..

1900Census — A month later George is behind bars. During Prohibition saloon owneers were compelled to take chances in order to maintain a significantly reduced income. But those risks sometimes put you in the slammer.

1900Census — 1930 Census listing. The Hook family begins on line 29. All the children have now left left the home. Martha Barluh is Mary's sister.

1900Census — George died on May thirtheenth, 1932. THis brief newspaper article is hardly an obituary and it seems to focus more on son George Jr to the exclusion of all other family members.

1900Census — Mary died on June 12th, 1937. This obituary is a nice tribute to Mary who, up until then, was not a very news worthy person.