BIO: JOHN HOSFELD, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
  _____________________________________________________________

  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, page 461
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  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/zeamer/

  
  CUMBERLAND COUNTY.  461
    
    JOHN HOSFELD, contractor and builder and former proprietor of the Electric
  Light, Heat and Power Company, of Shippensburg,, now consolidated with the
  Gas Company, is one of the enterprising citizens of that city, where he was
  born Feb. 9, 1859, son of Casper and Frederica (Heller) Hosfeld, both natives
  of Germany.
    
    His parents emigrated to America and were married at Shippensburg. By trade
  the father was a shoemaker, and followed his calling for a number of years,
  but later turned his attention to farming, and died in 1890, being buried in
  Spring Hill cemetery. The mother is still living, making her home at Akron,
  Ohio. She was the mother of ten children, seven boys and three girls.
    
    John Hosfeld was educated in the public schools of Shippensburg, and at the
  age of fifteen, was apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade, which he followed
  ten years, and then in a small way, became a contractor and builder. By
  energy and thrift he has worked up a large business, and has erected over 200
  houses in and about Shippensburg, principally in the south part of town. A
  number of the best business blocks in the city, etc., have been built by him.
  At present he is devoting his attention to the construction of public works,
  including dams, water works and sewers. After a time he purchased the
  Shippensburg Electric Light, Heat and Power Company, which was, as above
  stated, later consolidated with the Gas Company of which he is president and
  principal stockholder, and the electric plant is operated under his
  direction. He has constructed some of the factories at Shippensburg, among
  which are the Lutz Pants Company buildings, which company is one of the most
  important industrial concerns of the city.
    
    In 1884, Mr. Hosfeld married MissClara O. Martin, of Shippensburg, daughter
  of William and Sophie (Ekenrode) Martin, old residents of Cumberland county.
  Seven children have been born of this marriage: Edward, who died in 1902; and
  Nellie F., George W., Susie, John B., Mary C. and Julia, at home.
    
    For three years Mr. Hosfeld was a member of the council, and for ten years
  was a member of the school board of Shippensburg township, representing the
  Democratic party, of which he is an enthusiastic member. He has a very fine
  brick residence, and beautiful grounds, filled with ornamental shrubbery. In
  addition he also owns considerable realty in Shippensburg. As a promoter,
  business man and public-spirited citizen, Mr. Hosfeld is a very important
  member of society, and may well be regarded as one of the best
  representatives of the material interests of Shippensburg.