This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Hostetler, Huffstetter, Hesser,Evans, etc. Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/4Bk.2ACIB/102 Message Board Post: PAST AND PRESENT OF MACON COUNTY, page 244 “GEORGE F. HOSTETLER George F. Hostetler was a representative of one of the old and prominent families of Macon county and because of this and because of personal characteristics which entitle him to distinctive mention in this volume, we present the record of his life to our readers. He claimed Indiana as his native state, his birth having occurred in Orange county on the 26th of March, 1823. His parents were John and Katie (Huffstetter) Hostetler, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Indiana. Leaving the south, the father removed to Orange county, Indiana, where he engaged in farming for a few years and then came to Illinois, settling in Macon county. He purchased a farm in Decatur township and continued to engage in the cultivation of the fields until after the death of his wife, when he removed to Texas, where his own death occurred three years later. In the common schools of Indiana and of Illinois, George F. Hostetler acquired his education, mastering the branches of learning usually taught in such institutions. When his own education was completed he began teaching school in Macon county, near Decatur and afterward assisted his father upon the home farm until his marriage, early gaining practical experience concerning farm work by reason of the aid which he rendered to his father in the months of vacation. In the year 1860 he was joined in wedlock to Miss Harriet E. Hesser, a native of Springfield, Illinois, and a daughter of Armstead and Harriet (Evans) Hesser, both of whom were natives of Virginia, whence they came to Macon county, Illinois, at a very early period in its development. Subsequently they resided at Springfield, Illinois, and later removed to Taylorville, this state, where both father and mother died. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hostetler was blessed with seven children: Harry F., who married Cora Kyte, and resides in Omaha, Nebraska. Being a traveling salesman for an implement house of that city; Katie May, the wife of William Vowell, who is engaged in the livery business in Decatur; John B., who married Maggie Le Forgee, and is an artist of Davenport, Iowa; David F., foreman of the Lyon Planing Mill of Decatur, who married Maude Williams and has two children: Dyphne A., who was born December 29, 1891; and David Ulmont, born November 30, 1893; Eugene F., who married Ella Clothier and is a machinist residing in Davenport, Iowa; Gus L., who married Ora Curtis and is now an artist living in Fort Dodge, Iowa; and Roger H., who resides in New York city, where he is a designer in a wholesale dressmaking house. After his marriage George F. Hostetler engaged in teaching school for one year. He then removed to Decatur and he and his two brothers established a book store on Merchant street, where he continued in business for six years. He then removed to Mount Zion township, where he engaged in farming until his death. In his business affairs he was diligent, preserving and determined and was always a very hard-working men, meeting with a fair degree of success in his undertakings. His death occurred on the 26th of March, 18881, and then ended an upright life. He had always lived at peace with his fellow men and enjoyed their confidence and regard in an unusual degree. He was an exemplary member the Masonic fraternity of Decatur and his political support was given to the Democracy for he had firm faith in the principals of the party and in their ultimate triumph in citizenship. Both he and his wife were members of the Christian church of Decatur and for a long time he served as o! ne of its elders. He left to his family the record of an untarnished name for at all times his life was in consistent harmony with his professions. After his death Mrs. Hostetler removed to Decatur in order to educate her children and has since resided in this city. She owns a good home at No. 1318 North College street, where she is living with her son, David, and his family. The Hostetler family is a prominent on in Macon county and its members enjoy the merited regard of many friends.” !