Prepared by Rick Bodenschatz | November 4, 2010

ISAAC ‘IKE’ STAUFFER

• Known as “King of the Poconos,” born April 13, 1834, near Wind Gap, Northampton County.
• Son of Jacob Stauffer, who was born 1808 Montgomery County, Pa., died May 1, 1881 in Tannersville.
• Married Anna Maria Woodling in 1856 (daughter of John & Lydia Woodling).
• Children: Alice who married Burton Herrick of Tobyhanna.
• First employed by his father as a “driver“ of his stage coaches until 1856.
• In 1856 Isaac engaged in the produce and butchering business in Tannersville.
• Drafted into the Army in 1862 but deferred due to disability.
• Moved to South Pocono Lake, Tobyhanna Township, in 1863, starting in the lumbering business.
• In 1874 he purchased 500 acres of timber, partially clearing it.
• In 1894 he purchased 4,000 acres of timber, engaging in lumbering on an enormous scale.
• Purchased a saw mill originally built by Charles Hauser in 1851, and planing, lath and shingle mills.
• In 1876 erected and operated a clothes-pin factory.
• In 1882 erected and operated a shoe-peg factory.
• Built and operated the Laurel Inn, one of the prominent summer hotel resorts of the Pocono Lake area. Also known as the Pocono Laurel Hotel, it accommodated over 100 guests, and opened year around, with steam heat and modern conveniences. It changed hands several times since Stauffer's day.
• Was a leading “spirit and promoter” as a large stockholder of the Pocono Lake Ice Company, and also held interest in ice operations at Stillwater Lake with W.A. Shafer of Stroudsburg in 1898.
• Built his own locomotive and side rail line to transport lumber to Tobyhanna Creek until the WB&E Railroad was built.
• Was a principle stockholder in the first telephone company serving the Pocono Lake area.
• Was a member of the Barger Lodge, No. 325, Free and Accepted Masons of Stroudsburg.
• “… Who though more than eighty years of age, is as energetic and active as many men far his juniors in point of years. He still attends to all his business affairs, which are numerous and extensive, and is respected and esteemed by his fellow citizens for the sterling integrity which has characterized all his dealings throughout his long life.” (1) (1914)
• Died May 11, 1919, and buried at Tannersville Methodist Church Cemetery.
• Monroe County Recorder of Deeds [Book 82, Page 697] dated April 7, 1920: Executors present a petition setting forth that Isaac Stauffer died on the eleventh day of May, 1919, testate, that the personal estate and the rents of the said deceased were insufficient for the payment of his debts and the expenses of administration of his estate…

JACOB STAUFFER (father of Isaac)

• Born 1808 Montgomery County Pennsylvania.
• Later moved with parents to Locust Valley, near Tamaqua, Schuylkill County, then to near Wind Gap, Northampton County.
• Married Anna Hahn (born 1810-died 1895).
• Both buried in Tannersville.
• Four children grew to maturity: George of Stroudsburg, Issac of Pocono Lake, Kate who married Charles Brown of Tannersville, and Henrietta who married Wilson Kistler of Lock Haven.
• First a blanket weaver by trade, then in 1840 obtained government contract to transport and deliver mail through the region.
• Subsequently employed 90 horses to carry mail and passengers on stagecoach on routes from Easton to Wilkes-Barre, Honesdale, Stroudsburg, Port Jervis, Hazelton, etc., and also transported leather from Tannersville to Philadelphia.
• Moved to Tannersville in 1846, operating a general merchant store and established a foundry for the manufacture of plows and other farm implements.
• Later became a director of the Stroudsburg Bank.
• Appointed associate judge of Monroe County in 1875.
• Member of German Reformed Church of Tannersville, a charter member of the Barger Lodge No. 325 Free & Accepted Masons of Stroudsburg, and was affiliated with the Republican Party.
• Died May 1, 1881, Tannersville.

GEORGE STAUFFER (brother of Isaac)

• Born May 8, 1836 near Wind Gap, Pa.
• Moved to Tannersville with parents in 1846.
• Married Lucetta Seabring January 1, 1848.
• Children: Francis Eloise who married Spearing Shafer; and May who married John Ingram.
• Worked in father’s foundry business.
• Moved residence with foundry to 268 Washington St. in East Stroudsburg in 1870.
• At Keystone Foundry, East Stroudsburg, continued manufacturing of plows and jobs by order.
• One of the organizers and original directors of First National Bank of Stroudsburg and as of 1914 was serving as vice president.
• Served many years as a trustee for the State Normal School in East Stroudsburg.
• Member, steward and trustee of the Methodist Church in East Stroudsburg.
• Member of the Barger Lodge No. 325 Free and Accepted Masons of Stroudsburg, and Independent Order of Long Fellows.
• Died 1920, and buried at Stroudsburg Cemetery.

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Bibliography:
(1) Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania Biography, Volume III by John W. Jordon, LL.D., Lewis Historical Publishing Company, New York, 1914. Page 1062.

Journey Along the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad by Alan Sweeney, Tribute Books, Eynon, PA
2007. P. 255

The Natural Ice Harvests of Monroe County Pennsylvania by Vertie Knapp, East Stroudsburg State College, August 2, 1972, P. 8.

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