page 1433-1434.
MRS. CAROLINE HOAK. Few residents of Lancaster county are better or more favorably known than Mrs. Caroline Hoak, the pleasant and hospitable hostess of the "Millersville Hotel," which place she has most successfully conducted ever since the death of her husband, the late Amos D. Hoak. The birth of this estimable lady and efficient woman of business occurred March 17, 1851, in the city of Lancaster. She was a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Switzer, both of whom are deceased. She was educated in the Lancaster schools, and in 1869 was united in marriage to Amos D. Hoak, who belonged to one of the leading families of Lancaster county. George Hoak, the father of Amos D., was born and lived in Lancaster county, where he followed the trade of stone mason until failing health required him to retire, his death occurring Jan. 5, 1889. He married Martha Detrich, and they were the parents of these children: Jacob, who died in the barracks at Washington, D. C., a soldier during the Civil war; Amos; Adam, a miller of Lancaster; Joseph, supposed to have been killed in the army in 1863, Isaac, who died in a hospital in Philadelphia; Abram, who died in the army in 1863; George, who died in San Francisco, Cal.; Benjamin, who died in childhood; Elizabeth, who married and lives in Ohio; and Martha, who is the wife of Jacob Hoak. Amos D. Hoak was born and reared near Run Valley in Lancaster county, and during his early life he learned the milling business. He was one of the first to testify to his loyalty to the government, by becoming a member of Co. D, 1st P. V. I., enlisting June 8, 1861, and re-enlisting Feb. 25, 1863, in Co. D, 195th P. V. I., and serving until honorably discharged, Jan. 31, 1866. After Mr. Hoak returned from the army occurred his marriage and removal to Missouri, where for sixteen years he was engaged in milling. In 1886 he returned to Lancaster county, and for two years handled different patents, but in 1888 he purchased the hotel which is now so ably managed by his widow. Mr. Hoak died some eighteen months after taking charge of this hostelry, leaving but his wife, their one son, Reynolds S., having died in infancy. Mrs. Hoak has shown herself a capable manager, her hotel being one of the best regulated and most popular inns in this county. Her personal attention is given to every detail and she has a large patronage from the traveling public, and is a most highly esteemed lady.