OBIT: Aaron Hostetter, 1912, Hanover, York County, PA

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POSTMASTER HOSTETTER DEAD

Expired Suddenly Thursday Morning From Heart Trouble at His Home

The citizens of Hanover were startled Thursday, Nov. 14, at the announcement 
that “Postmaster Aaron Hostetter was dead.”  An inquiry at the home verified the 
statement, death occurring suddenly at 9 a.m. from acute dilation of the heart.  
His age was 46 years, 5 months and 1? days. 

During the past few days Mr. Hostetter complained of feeling unwell but he was 
about yesterday as usual, and spent the evening in York.  This morning he did 
not get up as usual, and his wife, noting the serious condition, sent for the 
family physician, Dr. R. N. Meisenhelder, who, with his son, Dr. John E. 
Meisenhelder, arrived soon after.  They found the sick man almost pulseless, and 
in a few minutes death ensued.

The deceased, a son of the late Abraham and Mary Hostetter, was born on the 
homestead farm in Union township, Adams county, near Hostetter’s meeting-house.  
He was educated in the common schools and at a private academy at Blairsville, 
N. J.  After completing his education, he came to Hanover in 1884, and served as 
a clerk in the bank of the Hanover Saving Fund Society.  Three years later he 
entered into partnership with his brother, the late Emanuel H. Hostetter, in the 
dry goods business.  The firm was known as E. H. Hostetter & Bro., and their 
place of business was on Carlisle street, in the building now owned and occupied 
by Emlet & Emlet, druggists.  Subsequently, he became a member of a local firm 
who manufactured children’s shoes, which business was afterwards absorbed by the 
Hanover Shoe Company, the present firm of Sheppard & Myers being their 
successors.  At the same time he helped to organize the Hanover Morocco company, 
which failed after several years.

Later he became interested in the produce business and in 1906 organized the 
Hanover Produce Company, which not only handled eggs and country produce, but 
operated milk separating stations and creameries.  They had branches at Hanover, 
Baltimore, Chambersburg, Glenville, York Road, Table Rock, Adams county, and 
other places.  This company met with reverses several years ago, since which he 
has devoted his time to the duties of the postmastership.

Mr. Hostetter was elected a member of the State Legislature in 1904, and 
resigned April 20, 1905, to accept the appointment of Postmaster.  He was 
reappointed February 19, 1909, and his term would have expired next February.

In 1890 he was married to Miss Wortha K. Koplin, a daughter of Rev. Dr. A. B. 
Koplin, of Hellertown, Pa.  They have two children, A. Koplin Hostetter, a 
student at Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, and Miss Harriet Hostetter, 
at home.  Besides a widow and the two children, he is survived by a brother, 
Jacob H. Hostetter, of Franklin street; a sister, Mrs. Harry B. Baer, of York 
street, and a step-sister, Mrs. Samuel L. Wilmer, of Abbottstown street.

The deceased was a member of Patmos Lodge No. 348, F. & A. M., of Hanover; Good 
Samaritan Chapter No. 266, Royal Arch Masons, and Gettysburg Commandery No. 79, 
Knight Templar.  He was a member of McAllister Council No. 980, Royal Arcanum; 
Hanover Lodge No. 763, B. P. O. Elks, and Hanover Aerie No. 1406, F. O. E.

The Hanover Herald – Saturday, November 16, 1912