| Notes |
- He is referred to as "Joe" in his son, John's death certificate.
A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of LaPorte County Indiana, Rev E.D. Daniels author and editor, the Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago New York 1904
JOSEPH HOSTETLER Success depends upon individual effort, capable management and strong determination.. All these qualities have entered into the career of Joseph Hostetler, who is now one of the most prosperous and prominent farmers of LaPorte county, his real estate possessions being very extensive. His home is on section 22, Wills township, and as he is widely and favorably known his history can not fail to prove of interest to many of our readers. He was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, January 4, 1829, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Miller) Hostetler. His paternal grandfather also bore the name of Joseph Hostetler and was born in Germany. Hoping to benefit by the better business opportunities of the new world he left his native country and crossed the Atlantic to America, settling in Pennsylvania at an early day. He afterward resided in Michigan and later in Canada, his death occurring in Wilmot county, Ontario. Joseph Hostetler, the second, the father of our subject,, was born in the Keystone state and was 'there reared and married, He wedded Miss Mary Miller, likewise born in Pennsylvania. It is supposed that her father was also born there and it is known that the family is of German lineage. The Millers were connected with the Omish church4 After his marriage Joseph Hostetler, the second, removed to Ohio, afterward took up his abode in Michigan and later went to Canada. In 1843, however; he came to LaPorte county, Indiana, and located upon the farm on which his son Joseph now resides. There he remained until his death, which occurred in the sixty-first year of his age. He held membership in .the German Baptist church, took a very active part in its work and in his business career was always guided by unfaltering integrity and justice. His wife also passed away
in LaPorte county, being in'her seventy-first year at the time of her death. Unto them were born eleven children, of whom three died in Canada, one in Ohio and one in Pennsylvania. Only three sons and two daughters are now .living.
Joseph Hostetler, whose name forms the caption of this review, was the fifth child and third son of the family, and was a lad of about fourteen years when he came with his parents to LaPorte county, He was reared in Wills township and during about two months in the year had the privilege of attending school, which was held in a little log building, and during the remainder of the year he was engaged in farm work. He assistecl in clearing the wild lands, in plowing the fields and in planting and harvesting the crops. His father had the benefit of his aid until he reached majority, after which he started out to earn his .own livelihood, working as a farm hand for six months at eleven dollars per month. He afterward worked for another season by the month and with the money he earned he arranged to buy a team and began farming on his own account on rented land. He purchased his present home farm in 1853, comprising one hundred and eighty acres. Splendid success has attended his efforts and he deserves much credit for what he 'has accomplished, for he started out in life empty handed.
On the 10th of September, 1854, Mr. Hostetler was united in marriage to Miss Polly Drollinger.who was born in LaPorte county, Indiana, June 24, 1838, a daughter of Gabriel and, Mary E. (Chapman) Drollinger. The father was born in North Carolina, the mother in Connecticut, and they were early settlers of LaPorte county. Mrs. Hostetler is the third of their family of thirteen children and was reared and eclucated in Wills township, where her entire life has been passed. Her own marriage has been blessed with eleven children, of whom three have passed away. Mary Ann is now the widow of Thomas Clark and has four children. Joseph A. is a prominent and influential farmer residing in Wills township. Sarah M. is at home. John W. is also a resident farmer of Wills township. Gabriel A. and David M. follow farming in the same township~ Eva A. is the wife of Gerald Dawson, of Wills 'township. Mabel A. is the wife of Melvin Miller of Wills township. Those who have passed away are Philip H., Martha J. and Jared F. All of the living were born in La-Porte county and still reside in Wills township.
At the time of his marriage in 1854 Mr. Hostetler located upon the farm where he now resides,'the first home being a little log cabin eighteen by eighteen feet, in which they lived four years. On the expiration of that period they erected the fine home in which they have ever since resided. That the years have brought to him prosperity as the reward of his earnest persistent effort is shown by the fact that at the time of this writing in 1903 he is the owner of twenty-seven hundred acres of-land, a part of which lies in St. Joseph county, Indiana. He has certainly been very successful, and yet his prosperity has come to him as the just reward of his own perseverance, economy and well directed industry. Most of his land is cultivated, and he has long been accorded a place among the prominent farmers of the county and is to-day one of the leading landowners. His political faith is that of the Democracy, and yet he is liberal in his political support, voting for the men and measures rather than for party. He has never had time nor inclination to seek office for himself, as his attention has been fully occupied by his extensive business affairs, in which he has met with signal success. Starting out in life a poor boy, working for eleven dollars per month, he is today one of the men of affluence in northwestern Indiana and his life record should serve as a source of encouragement to others, showing what can be accomplished by willing hands, strong heart and unfaltering courage.
Hostetler, Joseph - ANOTHER PIONEER PASSES INTO BEYOND
Obituary: Joseph Hostetler passed away this morning at 4:30 o'clock after an illness of five months, having been confined to his bed four months. He had a stroke of apoplexy August 15, last, which was followed a month later with a stroke of paralysis. Last Saturday night he had another stroke from which he never rallied nor regained consciousness, passing peacefully away this morning.
He was born in Somerset county, Pa., January 4, 1829, being 86 years, one week and one day old. Surviving him are his aged wife, two sisters and two brothers, and 8 children, Mary A. Clark, Joseph A. Hostetler, Sarah M. Jarrell, John W. Hostetler, Bariel W. Hostetler, David M. Hostetler, Eva A. Dawson and Mabel Miller. Besides these, there are 29 grandchildren and two great grandchildren and a large number of relatives and friends. He was one of LaPorte county's pioneer residents, moving here at the age of 14, and has since lived here. In life he has been very successful and yet his prosperity has come to him as the just reward of his own perseverance, economy and well directed industry. He has long been accorded a lace among the prominent farmers of the county.
The funeral services will be held Friday morning at the Sauktown church at 11 o'clock, leaving the house at 10 o'clock. The burial will be at Sauktown cemetery with Weir & Petering as funeral directors. Source: The Daily Herald, Tuesday, January 12, 1915 p7.
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1829 - 1915 (86 years)
