Blair County PA Archives Biographies.....Hostler, W. S. February 11, 1852 - ????
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Judy Banja http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00004.html#0000757 January 10, 2025, 3:19 pm

Source: Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Blair Co, PA: Philadelphia, 1892.
Author: Samuel T. Wiley

W. S. HOSTLER,
an active and successful coal and coke dealer of Altoona, and the senior
member of the firm of W. S. Hostler & Co., is a son of John and Barbara
(Domer) Hostler, and was born in Sinking valley, Tyrone township, Blair
county, Pennsylvania, February 11, 1852.  The Hostler family is of German
descent, and John Hostler, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this
sketch, was an early settler of Centre county, from which he removed to
Sinking valley, where he died.  He was a blacksmith by trade, and purchased a
good farm in Sinking valley, which is now in the possession of his son. 
Another of his sons, John Hostler (father), was born in Centre county in
August, 1814, and in early life came to Blair county, of which he has been a
resident ever since.  His business in life has been chiefly that of farming
and stock-raising, and he now owns a valuable farm at Bellwood.  Although
well advanced toward his four score years, he is still active, and personally
supervises all of his farming operations.  He is a consistent member of the
Evangelical Lutheran church, and in politics supports the Republican party. 
He has held several of his township's offices, and made a good record as
public official who was conscientious and firm in the discharge of his
duties.  Mr. Hostler married Barbara Domer, who was born in 1825, and they
reared a family of children.  Mrs. Hostler is a member of the Evangelical
Lutheran church, and her father, Jacob Domer was an early settler in that
section of Blair county, in which he died.
      W. S. Hostler spent his boyhood days and grew to manhood on his
father's farm, where he was actively employed in agricultural work and
carefully trained to economical business habits.  He received his education
in common schools and Logan academy.  From the school room he went into the
busy world of life with a home training of incalculable value.  For seven
years he was engaged during the winter months in teaching in the public
schools, and in the summer seasons followed farming with his father.  At the
end of that time, in 1877, he became head clerk and book-keeper for the
lumber firm of F. Vowinkle & Co., at Loydsville, Cambria county, and remained
with them in that capacity until 1880, when they sold out their business.  He
then came to Altoona and took charge of the books of G. A. McCormick, and of
the firm of Diehl & Co.  These parties were coal dealers and he remained with
them seven years, during which time he gained a thorough knowledge of all the
details of the coal business.  In 1887 he left their employ and formed his
present partnership with J. H. Dietrich, under the firm name of W. S. Hostler
& Co.  They are wholesale and retail dealers in coal and coke and have built
up a very fine trade in those two great staples of central Pennsylvania,
which are now in such demand in so many cities and towns.
      In 1876 Mr. Hostler was united in marriage with Letitia Huston,
daughter of George Huston, of Bellwood.  Their union had been blessed with
one child, a daughter, named Edna K.
      In politics W. S. Hostler is a republican, but he is no politician and
gives his time chiefly to his varied business interests.  He is a member of
the Ancient Order of United Workmen, in which he is now serving as foreman. 
Mr. Hostler is successful and well known dealer in the coal and coke
business, where his many years of practical experience render him an
excellent judge of the best grades of coal and coke.  He takes great care in
shipping the required grade of material demanded by his patrons, and has been
very successful in furnishing exactly what was wanted.  Mr. Hostler possesses
good executive ability, and ranks high as an honorable, upright business
man.  He is a pleasant and approachable gentleman, who is imbued with that
true spirit of energy and enterprise that insures a continuation of his
present prosperity.

Additional Comments:
Originally submitted 2001. Transcribed by Sharon McCartney Russell 
jerusse@erols.com.

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