Hostetler, Henry E. (1867-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Jan 10 p. 1

Birth date: 1867 Oct 21

text of obituary:

Pioneer of Harper County, Kans. Died

SERVICES FOR HENRY E. HOSTETLER, 84, HELD ON JANUARY 2

Harper, Kansas. — Funeral services for Henry E. Hostetler, 84, pioneer farmer of Harper county, were held at the Pleasant Valley Mennonite church near here on Jan. 5. The services were widely attended.

Born in Elkhart county, Indiana on Oct. 21, 1867, Bro. Hostetler went to Cass county, Mo. at the age of 13 and came to McPherson county, Kansas in 1888. In 1908 he and his family moved to Protection, Kansas, where he was a charter member of the Protection Mennonite church, and in 1909 he moved to the Harper community.

Here he was one of the pioneers in the breeding of Holstein cattle, and in 1927 was in the first group of ten "Master Farmers" named by Capper’s Kansas Farmer magazine. He was a leader in the Farm Bureau when it was first organized here, and served as president for two years.

He was also active in church and school work, serving as a member of the Missouri-Kansas district mission board, as a deacon of the Pleasant Valley church for 21 years, and member of the school board.

Mr. and Mrs. Hostetler celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary last October. Mrs. Hostetler, the former Salome Slabach, survives him, along with 11 of their 14 children, 48 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Jan 17 p. 8, 10

text of obituary:

HENRY E. HOSTETLER

Henry E. Hostetler, son of Emanuel and Magdalina Hostetler, was born in Elkhart county, Indiana, October 21, 1867, and passed away at his home at Harper, Kansas January 2, 1952, at the age of 84 years, two months, 11 days.

At the age of three and one half years he lost his mother. When 13 years old, he moved with his father from Indiana to Cass county, Missouri. At the age of 17, he had his first opportunity to attend revival meetings in Cass county, Missouri under the preaching of John S. Kauffman. Following his conversion during these meetings he united with the Sycamore Grove Amish Mennonite church.

In May 1888, he left Missouri and came to McPherson county, Kansas where he started his lifetime vocation of farming. While at McPerson [sic McPherson] he became a member of the West Liberty congregation.

On October 25, 1888, he was united in marriage to Salome Slabach. To this happy union extending for more than 63 years, there were born 14 children — seven sons and seven daughters. The seven sons, Oliver, Ura, Titus, Amra, Chancy, Leo and Pius are living with their families in the Harper area. The daughters are Ida (Mrs. Harold Sommerfeld) Hesston, Kansas: Florence, (Mrs. Ernest Detweiler) Harper; Stella (Mrs. Gideon G. Yoder) Goshen, Indiana; and Juanita (Mrs. Titus Ramer) Billings, Montana. Three daughters, Eva, Gladys, and Elsie (Mrs. Crist Beyler) preceded him in death. In addition to the eleven remaining sons and daughters he leaves a heritage of 48 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren.

Besides his wife and direct descendants he leaves to mourn his passing a great number of other relatives including four sisters — Cora and Fannie Hostetler and Mrs. Laura Zook of Harper, Kansas and Mrs. Baldwin Miller, Pryor, Oklahoma. He was a member of a family of 17 children. His seven brothers and five of his sisters preceded him in death.

In 1908 he moved his family to Protection, Kansas where he was a charter member of the Protection Mennonite church. He came to Harper, Kansas in 1909 and settled in the Pleasant Valley community. In 1916 he moved to the farm three miles east of Harper where he remained even after his retirement from active farming.

During the many years when his health permitted he was active in church and community activities. On June 1, 1913, he was ordained to the office of deacon by lot for the Pleasant Valley Mennonite church near Harper. For many years he was a member of the Missouri-Kansas Mennonite district mission board. When his health permitted he was a regular attendant of the annual meeting of the Missouri-Kansas District Conference of which he was a member.

He also served as a member of the local school board during which time he worked for the improvement of local educational facilities. He was one of the pioneer Holstein breeders in this area, and in 1927 he was recognized as a Master Farmer in the first group of Master Farmers chosen in Kansas.

Although his activities were curtailed in recent years because of impaired health, he maintained his pleasant disposition, a sense of humor, and a keen interest in church, community and world affairs. This interest was maintained by spending much time in reading and listening to the radio. Even when it was difficult for him to do so, he maintained his regular attendance at Sunday school and church and attended various special meetings in connection with his church work.

He always enjoyed visitors and was especially appreciative of friends and neighbors who called to see him in recent years. His interest and concern in people did not diminish with the years. He frequently expressed concern about the future of the Church and the spiritual welfare of his posterity.

Among the many memories of his family and close friends is that of his enjoyment of life as typified by his singing and whistling. For years his whereabouts while performing his daily chores could readily be determined by listening for a merry whistle or a voice raised in joyous song. One of the songs most often heard was “The Glory Gates." That voice is now stilled, but a pleasant memory will linger on.