Edward William Shoultes

Very little is known about the childhood of Edward Shoultes. The United States Census Report of 1870 for Tioga County indicates that he was attending school. It is speculated that he received a substantial education, including some formal college work. Family remembrances indicate he was a schoolteacher when he was a young man, and taught school in the same areas where he was born.

It is believed that of the six children born to William and Sarah Shoultes, only two grew to adulthood. His sister Mary Alice died in 1864 at the age of 5 years, and brothers Romanzo and Arthur perished from scarlet fever in 1878. There is a birth record for Bertha (1872-????) and she appears in the United States Census Report of 1880. However, no additional records are found for her and she is not mentioned as a survivor in the obituaries written for William and Sarah. Only his sister Dora (1865-1906?) and he grew to become adults.

As a young man, Edward participated in the workings of the family farm, in addition to his apparent teaching duties. He is listed as a member of the household in the United States Census Report of 1880 and is counted as a farmer with his father in the HISTORICAL GAZETTEER AND DIRECTORY FOR TIOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK 1887.

It is believed that he married during the early 1890s. Edward Shoultes was an entrepreneur and appears to have sought his fortune near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In doing so, he met the former Hannah Rachael Leeds (1860-1933) from Atlantic City, New Jersey. Hannah Rachael Leeds was born on November 9, 1860, the daughter of James Leeds. The Leeds genealogy is not known at the time of this writing, but it is noted that the Leeds family settled this area during the late 1600s. They were prominent during the late 19th century and owned several land holdings in Atlantic City. It appears that this couple established a farm near the village of Sellersville, Pennsylvania.

From 1901 until 1917, the couple lived in Atlantic City. Edward was a partner in the Sylvestor Leeds Hardware Company and also ran a business called the Bingham Cafe.

It is believed that due to Rachael's health, the situation became difficult for the Shoultes family in Atlantic City. Records indicate that the family returned to Sellersville in 1917.

A revealing letter was received from Mrs. Charles (Ella) Stifter (1901-1995), a daughter of Edward and Rachael Shoultes. The letter describes her life as a child and is transcribed as follows:

March 6, 1981

Sorry to be so long in answering your very interesting letter. I was so fascinated when I was reading it that I sat up until 2:30AM.

I never realized my father had so many in his immediate family. As I said before, I came along after all were dead, except the one sister and mother. I agree, I believe Mrs. A.S. Adams was Aunt Dora.

I kind of think my father must have returned from Philadelphia to help after his father's death. So perhaps my parents were married in Philadelphia, or at least started their marriage from there. I do have the impression that my mother was a bride when she first went to their farm. I also can't help believing my two brothers were born in New York. They talked of the "Little Red School House" and another recollection I have was Father taught school there before he was married.

All other sisters and brothers I never remember hearing mentioned. Of course, they had passed on some time before I was born, and Aunt Dora died when I was too young to recall. She did visit once in Atlantic City.

I did hear the name SADDLEMIRE. The Newark Valley newspaper was a regular mail delivery as long as Father lived.

My mother's name was Hannah Rachael Leeds. Her great-grandfather owned the entire island of A.C. They came from England (1667) Quakers - for freedom of worship. A.C. was an island then. In the 1900s, the island was sectioned off into four parts called Atlantic City proper, Chelsa, Ventnor, and Margate. About 1915 or so, we moved from Ohio Avenue to Ventnor and resided there for 3 or 4 years. That was the time of the omission from A.C. history of the Shoultes name. Ventnor was not considered A.C. proper. We moved to 1207 Pacific Avenue, in other words, returned to A.C. history again.

During World War I, my brother Maurice and Father bought the farm in Sellersville, Pa.

Maurice was married there and their four children were born there.

Marvin was in the service. Before, he was a geological surveyor. Later became Chief Patent Examiner of Valves in Washington, D.C. He is buried in Arlington Cemetery.

You speak of your Arlington, Texas ball game: your mother from Houston. Marjorie, my daughter, and her husband Bruce visit his parents in Homestead, Florida every Christmas. Had they had this information, they would have looked you up. Marjorie just visited me last week, and she was thrilled with all of this. My son, Marvin, is going to make copies for her and his own to enjoy the study.

There is a lot of interesting facts about A.C. you would find nice to know. I don't know if I can put it all down. I'm now writing as I recall; not good composition I'm afraid.

My mother remembers the first boardwalk. Narrow, flat on the sand. Her mother sold the property of the Penna. Railroad Station, situated on Atlantic Avenue, South Carolina to Tennessee Avenue electric station for $100 and a free pass to ride on the train to Camden and Philadelphia as long as she lived. Marjorie has the pass in her collection. They tell me I would never know the city today.

The beautiful Hotel Malboro-Blkenheim Ohio Avenue and Boardwalk has been torn down. Next to that was a "City Park" between Ohio Avenue and Indiana Avenue. Facing the boardwalk, there was a plaque where my mother was born. I don't recall the direct line of Daniel, Jerimiah, and James Leeds. I think Jeremiah was the first but it may have been Daniel.

James was my mother's father; my grandfather. The Great-Grandfather's first wife died and he married again. There were two sets of children. When he died, he left the island divided in half - a half for each set of children.

My father was manager of a large hardware store owned by Sylvester Leeds, my mother's brother, as you have read in the A.C. history.

My husband died over a year ago (Jan. 1980). He was 90 years old. I'm in fair health - weight is my problem. That is the Leeds heritage. My father was do thin. I have come across a couple of pictures. I don't find getting around too easy. I never learned to drive, so if you would like, I'll try and send you what I have and let you make your copies and return these to me. I meant to see if I could find a photo place in one of the malls here, but I get there so seldom and after some thought, I've decided that the quickest way would be to send them to you. Marjorie has most of the Leeds records. If you ever get together, you would have a lot to discuss.

My writing is terrible. I'll finish later.

Hannah Rachael Leeds developed severe asthma and required a residence near the ocean. It appears that the family may have maintained two residences or that Hannah may have been a frequent visitor to Atlantic City. She died on July 1, 1933 at the age of 72 years and was buried in the Atlantic City Cemetery.

Edward William Shoultes maintained his residence on the farm in Sellersville, Pennsylvania. He died in his sleep in 1935 at the age of 74 years. He is buried in the village cemetery located in Sellersville, Pennsylvania.