| VOL III no.3 | THE ELLER FAMILY ASSOCIATION | August 1989 |
Route 10 Box 799, Salisbury, NC 28741
One has only to enter the home of Peggy Joyce Agner Troutman on Bringle Ferry Road in Rowan County to know immediately that here genealogy and family history are subjects of serious interest. On the wall are symbols of her ancestry in the form of six beautifully carved coats of arm; represented are ancestral families of Van Poole, Agner, Troutman, Kepler, Morgan, and Eller.
Peggy's mother was Ora Elizabeth Eller, daughter of Arthur Marcellus Eller and Gertrude Louretta Poole (see following story and pictures). Peggy was born 27 Oct.1932 in Rowan County, N.C. She attended Catawba College, Salisbury, N.C. 1950-1954 and received the A.B. degree in Primary Education. In 1973-1974 she attended Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C. where she earned certification to teach exceptional children.
Peggy married Joseph Howard Troutman on 24 Dec. 1954. Joe was born 17 Sept. 1928 to Wilbert Tell Troutman and Amanda Ruth Eller. Joe's mother was the daughter of Joseph A. Eller and Alice Saphronia Waller. Joe served in the Korean War 1950-1953 as Corporal, Medical Company 8th Calvary Regiment. Peggy and Joe have one son, Douglas Howard Troutman, born 2l Aug. 1955. Doug is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Peggy gives much credit to her grandmother, Gertrude Louretta Poole Eller, for her interest in family history. With the assistance of her cousin, Mrs. Oscar J. (Louise) File, she began to research the Eller family tree and has been able to throw much light on a number of difficult genealogical puzzles associated with the early Ellers of Rowan County, N.C. Peggy and Louise have concentrated primarily on Jacob Eller and his brother, John Melker Eller, both German immigrants to Rowan County by way of Pennsylvania.
Results of their extensive research are contained in several huge scrapbooks which will be on display at the Eller Family Conference where Peggy will give an informal talk on her knowledge of the children of Jacob, Melchior and Christian Eller (see her account below - "A Closer Look at Some Early Ellers""'.
Peggy retired from school teaching three years ago after having taught for 30 years in Rowan County Schools. She was one of first to join the Eller Family Association and she continues to be keenly interested in the organization. I hope that Peggy will continue her research and will publish a book in the not too distant future..... J. Gerald Eller
[ Pedigree Chart: Peggy - Ora Elizabeth Eller ]-63-
ARTHUR MARCELLUS ELLER, b. 29 Sept. 1880; d. 15 Aug. 1932; m. 10 June 1906, Gertrude (Gertie) Louretta Poole, b. 24 Jan. 1886, d. 25 Nov. 1973, daughter of Barbara Levina Kesler and Joseph Alexander Poole. Both Arthur and Gertrude are buried at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church Cem., Salisbury, Rowan County, NC. (See pictures below)
Children:
See ancestral charts and pictures on following pages)
[ Pedigree Chart: Peggy - Ora Elizabeth Eller ] Compiled by: Louise Barringer (Mrs. Oscar Jenkins) File and
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[ Pedigree Chart: Joseph Howard Troutman ]
[ Pictures from pages 71-78 ]
[ Pictures of Providence Township Family Landmarks ]
JAMES WILLIAM HOOK: HIS ELLER ANCESTRY AND DESCENDANTS
J W HOOK on cover of this ELLER CHRONICLES
Virginia Eller (grandmother of James W. Hook) was the first daughter and third child of Harvey Eller and Mary Caroline Vannoy. She was seven years of age and one of seven children when the family moved in a covered wagon from Wilkes Co., N.C. to Iowa in 1852. This story, told by James W. Hook in both his 1925 and 1957 books, is one of courage and fortitude undergirded by a deep Christian faith that sustained this family in their trek westward in a covered wagon and during the harsh early years of their existence in Iowa. It is a classic saga about strong willed people with deep convictions who choose to venture forth in pursuit of the American dream on the western frontier.
"Harvey Eller/5/ [Simeon/4/, John/3/, Peter/2/, George Michael Eller/l/l, was born in Wilkes Co., N.C., 24 Mar. 1819; d., at the home of his daughter Mrs. Delos Davis in Wapello Co., Iowa, 3 Nov. 1906. He married in Wilkes Co. N.C., 25 Nov. 1841, Mary Caroline Vannoy, b. in Wilkes Co., .N.C., 18 Feb. 1823; d. at the home of her daughter Mrs. Delos Davis in Wapello Co. Iowa, 18 Jan. 1904. Mary Caroline Vannoy was the daughter of Jesse and Mary (Kilby) Vannoy. Jesse Vannoy,/5/ [Nathaniel /4/, John/'-T/, Francis/2/, John /I/]. Both lie buried in the old section of Competine Cemetery located one half mile east of Farson, Wapello Co., Iowa." GME p.188.
"James Hook, (father of James W. Hook, the genealogist) recorded in his father's bible as James Hook and his own Bible as James Hook Jr., was born in Carrol Co., Ohio, 30 Sept. 1839 and died in Wapello Co., Iowa 30 June 1905. He married 21 Nov. 1867, in Wapello Co., Iowa, Virginia Eller, born in Wilkes Co., N.C., IS Oct. 1845; d. in Wapello Co., Iowa, 30 Oct. 1897. Both are buried in the Hook family plot in the Martinsburg Cemetery located one and one half miles south of Martinsburg ., Iowa." GME p. 329. (cont'd p. 80)
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(Break in article for charts and pictures was here in original issue)
(cont'd from P. 69)
James W. Hook, the genealogist, "was born, 9 Jan. 1884, an parent's farm in Highland Twsp. of Wapello Co., Iowa." GME p. 340; and died 21 Oct. 1957. (pers. corr.,J.W. Hook, Jr.) "He married, 17 Sept. 1907, in St. Mark's Episcopal Church at Fort Dodge, Iowa, Hattie Rosemond Bechtel, b., at Fort Dodge, Iowa 16 Dec. 1885, dau. of Carl Philip Bechtel, b. at Nevada, Iowa 12 Nov. 1863; d. at Fort Dodge, Iowa 31 Aug. 1935 and his wife, Rose Belle Waldburger, b. at Davenport, Iowa 7 Jan. 1865, now living (1957) at Friendship Haven, Fort Dodge, Iowa." GME p. 340
"James William Hook graduated, 1905, from Iowa State College with the degree of Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering. In 1912 he was awarded a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering by Iowa State College and was admitted to membership in the honorary engineering fraternity of Tau Bet Pi when it was established in the college. While in college he was a member of the Bachelor Debating Society, Editor of the college paper and member of the Athletic Council. He went to Cody, Wyoming in early Sept. 1905 where, with his brother-in-law as a partner, purchased the Cody Enterprise and became its editor. Returning to Iowa, because of ill health, the following May and soon thereafter sold the newspaper. Accepting employment with the Des Moines Edison Light Company, Sept. 1906, and the following December became sales engineer for the Globe Machinery and Supply Company of Des Moines, Iowa. Removed to Marshalltown, Iowa in Oct. 1909 where for seven years was, successively, sales manager and general manager of the C.A. Durham Company. Was elected president of the Alumni Association of Iowa State College in 1915 and served one year. Was vice-president, later president, of the Allied Machinery Co. of America, a foreign trading concern in New York City, 1916-1923, during which time he resided in Tarrytown, New York. Was prominently identified with the large war activities of the American International Corporation of N.Y., 1917-1919 and a director and officer of several of its subsidiary corporations. In 1922-23 was a member of the Board of Education of Tarrytown schools. He obtained an option to purchase the majority interest in the Geometric Tool Co. of New Haven, Conn. and in Sept. of 1923 moved to New Haven. Upon the death of the incumbent president of the company in Oct. he was elected president and treasurer. On 1 Dec. 1924 he exercised his option and became owner of the majority interest in the company which he retained until 30 Nov. 1944 when he sold the company to the Greenfield Tap and Die Corporation of Greenfield, Mass.
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"During his residence in New Haven he devoted much time to public affairs. Mayor's Advisory Air Board, 1925-1929; Vice-Pres. Conn. Civil Service Association; director New England Council and in 1936-38 its president. Chairman of the Conn. Unemployment Commission, 1930-32; member of President Hoover's National Comm. for Unemployment, 1931-1932; member- Conn. Municipal Finance and Relief Commission, 1932-1935; Industrial Advisor to Natal Recovery Adm., 1933-1935 and member of its Industrial Advisory Board, also Vice Chairman of its Durable Goods Committee; member of the Business Advisory Council of the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, 1940 to present (1957); member Board of Trustees University of Conn., 1935-1953 and Chairman after 1949; declining an opportunity to become candidate for Governor of Conn. in 1938 and U.S. Senate in 1940; member of the National Republican Platform Comm., 1938-1940; elected president of the United Illuminating Co., electrical utility in New Haven and vicinity in 1939 when that company found itself in management difficulties. Established new management personnel and since 1942 has served as Chairman of the Board. A Trustee of New Haven Y.M.C.A. since 1938, director of Acme Wire Co. since 1928 and a former director of other New Haven corporations which he resigned because of pressure of other duties. Member of the Society of Colonial Wars in Conn. (Gov. 1946-1948), 32nd degree Mason; member of Tau Beta Pi and Pi Tau Sigma honorary fraternities and Kappa Sigma, social fraternity. Received Marston Medal for achievement in Engineering from Iowa State College in 1940 and the Alumni Merit Award in 1939. Author "Industry's Obligation to the Unemployed," 1931, published in 1938, and coauthor "The New Outlook on Business," Harper Bros., 1940. . . . He is a member of the New Havens Citizen's Action Commission, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Y.M.C.A. of New Haven and member and deacon of the First Church of Christ of New Haven, Congregationalist. (See "Who's Who in America," Vol. 29.)
"Children of James William Hook and his wife Hattie S. Bechtel:
" GME, 342-344.
References: "GME" - GEORGE MICHAEL ELLER AND DESCENDANTS OF HIS IN AMERICA, 1957. Additional information provided by James W. Hook, Jr.
--The Editors--
From earliest childhood to young adulthood, the name of "Cousin Will" was etched in my mind. My father, Verne T. Eller, was 7 years Will's junior and he had an extraordinary admiration for his first cousin. "Will" had attained a college education and a professional status quite apart from his own life's direction. Verne always called his cousin, "Will". This was J.W.H.'s name preference for himself.
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I met James William Hook in 1949 when he was a man of 65 years. I was 22. My parents and I made a number of trips from Nebraska to Connecticut in those years. My sister, Dorothy Eller Vaughn, and her husband, Sidney, lived in Stratford, Conn. from 1945-1970. Will was living in Hamden, Conn., a suburb of New Haven and a short distance from Stratford. The Hooks became, lovingly, "Uncle Billy" and "Aunt Hattie" to us. Many opportunities to visit ensued. On one occasion, the Hooks brought his cousin and house guest, Calvin Rollins, to Stratford.
My first visit to New Haven in 1949 is vividly remembered. It was spring and we were invited to the Hooks for an evening visit which began in their gracious home, thence to their club for dinner and again back to 56 Mulberry Hill Street. In the living room late that evening we were surprised (Will and Hattie were horrified) to find a bat flying about the house! This caused considerable commotion and much laughter after the bat had been ejected with the aid of several brooms.
In 1955 I informed Will of my plans to accept a career position in Wiesbaden, Germany. He felt it fortuitous that I would be on German sail and suggested that while there I should investigate two obscure leads he had regarding the birth place of George Michael Eller. One was in the Dusseldorf area, the second a small village named Untermerzbach, near Kaltenbrunn (between Bamberg and Colburg). After investigating town and church records in the spring and summer of 1956, both leads proved fruitless. (My efforts on his behalf is a documented story for another time).
The disappointing news was reported to Will who was in the 11th hour of his 1957 revision and publication of the George Michael Eller genealogy. We both had hoped upon hope that a startling discovery would be found and it could be included in the revision. As Will remarked in a letter to me, "it is like looking for a needle in a haystack". Will died the year of his second publication, 1957.
Dorothy Eller Vaughn remembers the Hooks as a charming and interesting couple, always lovingly concerned for others. They entertained graciously and generously. One avocation of deep interest to Will was Egypt and the historic pyramids. He had accomplished an in-depth study of the latter. One evening in New Haven Dorothy and Sidney were privileged to hear his prepared lecture of the pyramids.
Hattie enjoyed theater and on several occasions joined Dorothy in Stratford at the Shakesphere Festival performances. On one occasion Hattie and Will's daughter Rose Virginia joined them.
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The Hook's white frame house on Mulberry Hill Street was big, comfortable and tastefully appointed. When it came time for Uncle Billy to retire, he had a brick house constructed and they moved. The new house was built to Will's specifications, all to accommodate them in their retirement years. A large- mimosa tree in the front yard was of special joy to Hattie.
While in their new home, Uncle Billy became ill with angina. He succumbed to this illness , at home, in 1957. Dorothy and Sidney attended his funeral in New Haven after which they were invited to Aunt Hattie's home, along with other relatives and friends, for tea. Hattie remained in this home for several years and then to a care facility in her last years. Before moving from Stratford to Little Rock in 1970, and an one of the very last days prior to the move, Dorothy spent a day with Aunt Hattie in her home. They lunched and then sat for the afternoon reading together many letters in the Eller Family Round Robin ....... Lynn Eller, 42 28th St. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30309 and Dorothy Eller Vaughn
(Eds. We are delighted that Lynn and Dorothy shared their memories about "Uncle Billy" and "Aunt Hattie". Lynn and Dorothy will be at the Salisbury Conference and will share additional information. We invite other members of the EFA who knew James W. Hook or had interactions with him to share their memories and experiences in future issues.)
Lynn's account reveals that James W. Hook was searching for his German Eller ancestor up to the very date of publication of his book. Some, especially Robert Ramsey, CAROLINA CRADLE, University of N.C. Press, 1964, have misquoted or misinterpreted Hook's account of THE ELLER FAMILY of the DISTRICT OF ALGAU OF SOUTHWEST BAVARIA, in his 1957 book, pp. 433-435. Hook categorically rejected the George Michael Eller listed among these Ellers as his ancestor.
Also, James W. Hook must have died very soon after the publication of his 1957 book. This may account for his failure to copyright the book.)
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