BIOS: John W. MOSTOLLER, Quemahoning, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading 
Citizens of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, 
Biographical Review Publishing Company: 1899, pp 133-134.

  John W. Mostoller, of Quemahoning, Pa., was born January 14, 1843, in Stony 
Creek township, Somerset County, a son of Joseph and Sarah (Mowrey) Mostoller.  
He comes of German stock, being a grandson on the paternal side of John and 
Christina (Miller) Mostoller, and on the maternal side of Michael and Mary 
(Baker) Mowrey, formerly well-known and esteemed residents of this section of 
Pennsylvania.  A more extended ancestral history may be found in connection with 
the sketch of David Mostoller, which appears on another page of this volume.
  John W. Mostoller received a common-school education at Stony Creek, where 
during his youthful days he assisted his father in farming and lumbering.  Soon 
after the breaking out of the Civil War, on September 16, 1861, he enlisted in 
Company B, Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, as a private, and after 
three years of active service was honorably discharged, September 16, 1864.  He 
met the enemy in many engagements, and besides taking part in various exciting 
skirmishes he was at the front in the battles at new Market, Piedmont, and 
Lynchburg.  At the first named he was slightly wounded in the thumb and finger, 
but lost no time on that account.  Taken prisoner at Paw Paw, W. Va., on October 
14, 1862, he was marched to Richmond, where he was confined in Libby Prison two 
months.  On his release he rejoined his old regiment, with which he continued 
until discharged.  Faithful to his duties at all times, he won the deserved 
approval of his superior officers, and has now among his cherished possessions a 
medal given him by the United States Congress for brave and gallant service at 
the battle of Lynchburg, Va., on June 18, 1864, this being the only medal of the 
kind in Somerset County.
  After returing [sic] from the war Mr. Mostoller followed farming in Stony 
Creek until the year of his marriage, when he settled in Stoyestown.  A few 
months later he removed to Stony Creek, his old home, but in 1872 he purchased 
his present farm of two hundred acres in Quemahoning, where he has since been 
successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits.  He takes an intelligent interest 
in local affairs, supporting the Republican part in politics, and has served as 
School Director and as Judge of Elections.  Fraternally, he is a member of the 
Reuben Ferner Post, No. 318, G.A.R., of Stoyestown, of which he has the 
distinction of having been the first Commander.
  On April 25, 1869, Mr. Mostoller married Ida C. Dibert.  She died at the early 
age of twenty years, leaving two children: Bertram V., who married Rebecca 
Landis; and Ida C., who is the wife of Nathaniel Horner, and has one child, 
Alma.  On July 18, 1877, Mr. Mostoller married Kate Barnhardt, daughter of Adam 
and Rachel (Wilt) Barnhardt.  Of the ten children that blessed their union, 
eight are living, namely: Joseph F.; Mary L., wife of Charles H. Horner; Adam 
F.; Webster; Reno; John W., Jr; Margrette; and Meriam.  Mr. and Mrs. Mostoller 
are both members of the Lutheran church.