BIOS: David Mostoller, Stonycreek, Somerset County, PA File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Sharon Trosan Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/ ________________________________________________ BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, Biographical Review Publishing Company: 1899, pp 269-270. David Mostoller, a retired farmer of Stony Creek township, Somerset County, was born February 21, 1828, in Somerset township, near Friedens, Pa., a son of Joseph Mostoller. He is of German descent and the great-grandson of Frederick Mostoller, who in 1776 migrated from Northampton County to this section of the State, which was then called Cumberland County, and established himself as a pioneer, being of the first three settlers in what is now the northern part of Somerset County. Bears, wolves, and other wild animals abounded in the forests at that time; and the Indians made frequent calls at the rude cabins of the few inhabitants that ventured to here build homes for themselves and their families. He worked at his trade of a blacksmith. He also built and operated the first grist-mill in this part of the county, and for several years he served as constable. John Mostoller, the grandfather of David, was six years old when he came with his parents from Northampton County to Somerset County, where he grew to man's estate. He subsequently purchased land in that part of the town now included within the limits of Friedens, and was there prosperously engaged in farming until his death, at the age of seventy-three years. A man of superior intelligence and strong convictions, he was a leading member of the Whig party, and, besides serving as County Commissioner in 1816 and 1817, was a Representative to the State legislature in 1820 and 1821. He married Christina Miller. They were both members of the Lutheran church. Joseph was their eldest son and the third of their five children. He was born in Quemahoning township, Somerset County in 1801, and was there brought up on a farm. On attaining his majority he settled as a farmer and lumberman in Mostoller, Stony Creek township, where he operated a saw-mill a number of years in connection with his labors as a husbandman. Later in life he removed to the home of his son, John W., in Quemahoning township, where he died in 1888. In politics he affiliated at first with the Whigs and afterwards with the Republican party. He was a faithful member of the Lutheran church to which his wife, Sarah Mowrey, daughter of Michael and Mrs. (Baker) Mowrey, also belonged. She survived him a few years, passing away September 1, 1895, more than ninety- two years after her birth, which occurred July 10, 1803, in Quemahoning township, near Coleman's Station. Of their ten children six are living, namely: Louise, widow of Abraham Lambert, and the mother of Jonathan Lambert, whose personal history may be found on another page; David, who is further mentioned below; Mary, who is the wife of Jeremiah Wilt, and has four children - Rosa, Lizzie, Sidney, and James; Nancy, widow of Samuel Lambert and mother of eight children - Edward, Lorenzo, Jairus, Ellsworth, Azariah, Sidney, Irvin, and John; Belinda, wife of Abraham Carver, and mother of two children - Ira and Cynthia; and John W., a sketch of whose life is given elsewhere in this volume. David Mostoller was bred and educated in Somerset township, and there in his early years obtained a practical knowledge of the numerous branches of agriculture. He has been largely engaged in general farming and lumbering. In 1862 he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Seventy-first Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was Corporal of his company during the nine months of his service. He afterward re-enlisted, being mustered into Company G, Eighty- eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in March, 1865, as a private, and served until after the close of the war, being honorably discharged in August 1865. On returning from the army he resumed work on his well-improved farm in Stony Creek township, and was successfully engaged in general farming and lumbering until a short time ago, when he gave up the care of his estate to his children, and removed to his present home near the Lambert School. In politics he is a steadfast Republican, true to the faith in which he was reared. He is an esteemed member of the Reuben Ferner Post, No. 318, G.A.R., of Stoyestown. On December 21, 1854, Mr. Mostoller married Leah Swank, daughter of John and Catherine (Cupp) Swank. She died at the age of twenty-four years, having borne him two children, of whom but one is living; namely Edward D., who married Elizabeth Kaiser. The other, Charles W., died June 22, 1882. He is survived by his wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Wilt, and three children - Ella, Harry G., and Della. On December 22, 1859, Mr. Mostoller married for his second wife Elizabeth Ann Zimmerman, daughter of Henry and Nancy (Shaffer) Zimmerman, who reared four children, namely: Elizabeth Ann, Mrs. Mostoller; Catherine, Jonathan; and William. Mr. Zimmerman, who died at the age of sixty-nine years, was a well-to-do farmer of Quemahoning township and a member of the Reformed church to which his wife, who died at about the same age that he did, likewise belonged. Mrs. Mostoller also is an active member of the church in which she has worshipped from her early girlhood; while Mr. Mostoller belongs to the Lutheran church, of which his first wife was a member. Mr. and Mrs. Mostoller have seven children, namely: Nancy C., wife of Mahlon Lambert and mother of two children - Harvey and Russell; John O., who married Ida Trent, and has two children - Earl and Fred; Annie B.; Cyrus A.; James H., who married Clara Blough and has one daughter, Beatrice; Newton L., who married Annie E. Miller; and Harvey S.