BIO:  Josiah V. Hoshour, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, Shrewsbury Township, Pg 177

JOSIAH V. HOSHOUR, a prominent manufacturer, was born in Heidelberg Township, August 21, 1814.  
His parents, John and Elizabeth (Klinepeter) Hoshour, were natives of York County, and of 
German descent.  When only three years old his father died, leaving six children, and his 
mother died in 1854, aged seventy-five years.  His early days were spent on a farm, and when 
sixteen years old, he went to Gettysburg school for three years, and then taught school in the 
neighborhood for seven years.  In 1842 he became engaged in the forwarding business at Glen 
Rock, and followed it until 1854.  From that time until 1878 he was engaged in farming.  In 
1882 he took charge of the Glen Rock Works, manufacturing machinery, etc., as superintendent, 
and has held that position since.  In 1883 the name was changed to “Glen Rock Manufacturing 
Company.”  June 18, 1838, he was married at Shrewsbury to Magdalena Koller, daughter of Jacob 
Koller, and had eight children, four of whom are living:  Samuel K., Elnora, wife of N. Z. 
Seitz, Esq.; Maggie and John H.  The family belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church.  Mr. 
Hoshour was once chief burgess of Glen Rock; school director for fifteen years, and justice of 
the peace from 1849 to 1864.  He was also one of the organizers of the “Frey Herbst & Co. 
Works.”