NOAH HOSTETLER. One of the residents and most prominent men of Lovington who has made himself felt in the commercial life of the town is he whose name is at the head of this sketch. Although an American by birth and education, he is of German ancestry and has always brought to bear in his business dealings the good common sense and thorough business principles for which that nation of people is noted. His father was Christian Hosteller and his mother Elizabeth (Hardman) Hosteller. The former was a victim of the cholera and died in 1831. Our subject's mother passed away from this world to a better land, in Orange County, Ind. They were the parents of four sons and five daughters and of these our subject was the eighth child in the order of birth. He was born in Orange County, Ind., February 9, 1826.

The original of our sketch grew to manhood on the home farm and in the latter part of 1852 he came to Moultrie County and settled near the village of Lovington, where he purchased a farm and thereafter engaged in agricultural pursuits until about 1872 when he removed to the village of Lovington, and embarked in the grain business, afterward adding the lumber business to his interests and later, enlarging his business so that it included grain, lumber and hardware, and was thus engaged for several years. He has not, however, been actively engaged in business for the past few years, confining his attention to the care of his estate and a general oversight of the banking business which is now operated by his son, Leonard G. Hosteller and S. P. Drake. The firm is run under the name of Drake, Hosteller & Son. They carry on a general banking business and do a large and flourishing business.

Our subject was married in Orange County, Ind., 1849, to Miss Elizabeth Harman, who is a native of the same county in which she was married, her birth occurring May 12, 1829. Mr. and Mrs. Hosteller are the parents of four children. The eldest of these is a daughter, Margaret, who is the wife of Samuel S. Boggs. Calvin E., married Miss Ella Bowers, and has set up a home for himself, being engaged in farming in Moultrie County, this State. Leonard G. is engaged in the banking business in Lovington. The youngest son, William, died when about seven years of age. The gentleman of whom we write has filled the office of School Director and has been a member of the Village Board. In his political preference he is a Republican, being one with that party in his opinions as regards tariff, currency and other planks of the party platform. Our subject and his estimable and amiable wife are members of the Christian Church and are generous supporters and ardent and interested workers in the upholding of Gospel truths.

Mr. Hosteller is the fortunate possessor of nearly one thousand acres of land, most of which is located in Lovington Township. He is also the owner of valuable property in the village of Lovington. When actively engaged in farming, he made a specialty of stock-raising and the foundation of his fortune was laid in this way. He, of whom we write, and his wife are numbered among the representative people of Lovington Township, and although financially they stand among the best people in the county, money is not all in all to them, for they number among their friends more people whose intelligence and culture is preeminent, than any other class. Mr. Hostetler is a broad minded and intelligent man to whom the current topics of the day, both general and local, are very interesting and in which he is always well posted. A good conversationalist, knowing what to say, and being above petty gossip, he is at the same time a sympathetic, attentive and interested listener to any one who may have something that is worth listening to.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 707/708

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