History of Macon Co., Illinois JACOB HOSTETLER Jacob Hostetler, who died on the 11th of January, 1873, was one of the early settlers of Harristown township in Macon Co., IL. He was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, on the 6th of July, 1810. His father, Adam Hostetler, was Pennsylvanian of Dutch descent who became an early resident of Kentucky. His mother's maiden name was Hannah Hartman. His parents were married in Pennsylvania, and moved afterward to Kentucky. About the year 1825 Adam Hostetler moved from Kentucky to Indiana, and settled in Clark county of the latter state. Soon after the removal of the family to Indiana the father died. Jacob was the youngest son, and was obliged to remain at home and assist in caring for his mother. On this account his opportunities for acquiring an education were limited. He went to school but little, securing, however, mostly by his own efforts, a good business education, which enabled him to acquit himself with credit in all the positions in which he found himself in life. He grew to manhood in Clark county, Indiana, and on the 11th of March, 1833, married Tabitha Crum, who was born in Oldham county, Kentucky, on the 4th of November, 1816, the daughter of Andrew Crum and Mary Haymaker. Her parents were Virginians and early settlers of Kentucky. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hostetler moved to Illinois. In September, 1835, they settled on section 14 of the present Harristown township. At that time the settlements in that part of the county were few in number. Some locations had been made along the timber, but north of the Springfield road all was open and uncultivated prairie, which at that time the old settlers thought would never be brought under cultivation. Mr. Hostetler entered a tract of land on which a log house had already been built. He bought the improvement, and moved into the house which they occupied till more comfortable quarters could be arranged, residing on this farm from the time he came to the county till his death. He was a man who took an active interest in politics and public affairs. He had all candidates of that party. He held the conidence of the people of his part of the county, who elected him to several public positions. For eight years he filled the office of Justice of the peace, and for a like time, also, acted as county commissioner. The duties he discharged with credit to himself and satisfaction to the citizens of the county. He was known as an honest and capable citizen, whose character was above reproach and whose integrity was beyond suspicion. He possessed good business capacity and accumulated considerable property. At the time of his death he owned between three and four hundred acres of land, and was one of the prosperous farmers of Macon county. Mr. and Mrs. Hostetler were the parents of three children, whose names are as follows: Francis Hostetler, now carrying on the mercantile business at Latham, in Logan county; Mary J., the wife of James Campbell, of Decatur; and Ellen, who married Charles Hunsley, of Harristown township. Mrs. Hostetler still survives and resides on the same farm which has now been her home for forty-five years. Her husband was one of the oldest settlers of the county, and during his life-time was intimately indentified with its business interest. It is fitting, therefore, that his name should be mentioned in these pages. History of Macon County, Illinois, 1880, p. 186 Transcribed by Pat Hageman ------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Pat Hageman (© 1997 Pat Hageman)