My Genealogy Hound

David Hostetter, a distinguished business-man, financier and railroad projector of Pittsburgh, was born in Lancaster county Pa., Jan. 23, 1819. His father was a cultivated physician of extensive practice, widely known and highly esteemed in that portion of the state. The boyhood of Mr. Hostetter was spent upon a farm owned and cultivated by his father, where the boy was free to devote his time to reading and study. He obtained a thorough English education. At the age of sixteen, having completed his studies, he set out to “make his way in the world.” His first employment away from home was in a dry-goods store in Lancaster, with Christopher Hager, where he remained seven years, beginning as a “boy” and ending as “chief clerk and manager.” On leaving Mr. Hager’s employ he entered into business for himself in Lancaster, and was engaged in that when the gold fever broke out in California, and he, like many others became possessed of the desire to seek his fortune in the new Eldorado; so in 1850 he sold out his stock, and on the 15th of April left New York for California. He reached the isthmus, crossed it on a mule, and after a dreary three months’ wait at Panama for the steamer on which his passage was engaged, was carried to San Francisco. The trip to San Francisco occupied three weeks, and was made memorable by the death of seven of the passengers from the terrible isthmus fever. On his arrival at San Francisco Mr. Hostetter invested his capital in the grocery business. Here the prospect for the achievement of fortune seemed excellent but within a month all that he possessed was swept away by one of those conflagrations for which San Francisco was then noted, and to which, from the combustible nature of its buildings, it was constantly exposed. Though left absolutely penniless, he did not despair. Failing to find a suitable opening in California, he determined to return to his native state. With him to decide was to act, and within a month from making the determination he was in Pennsylvania, returning by the way of the isthmus. He soon found employment as paymaster with McEvoy & Clark, contractors of the Pennsylvania railroad at Horseshoe Bend.

Two years later he determined to put in operation a project he had long entertained, but had delayed for lack of capital. This was no less than the manufacture of the world-famed “Hostetter’s bitters,” an article which has now become a staple in the trade. Mr. Hostetter obtained the formula for this tonic from his father, who had satisfied himself of its excellent qualities during a long practice. Mr. Hostetter determined to put the article upon the market, and associated with him Mr. George W. Smith, a former resident of Lancaster, and who had been with him at Horseshoe Bend. They removed to Pittsburgh and founded the firm of Hostetter & Smith. The two made an excellent “team” for such an enterprise. Mr. Hostetter’s tireless energy and push were just the elements necessary to lift it from the usual rut, and they were successful from the start. Within four years the business outgrew its original location and new and enlarged quarters were found. Every legitimate means was employed to extend the sales of their product, and the firm became widely known as among the most extensive advertisers in the country. Hardly a newspaper could be found anywhere in the country that did not contain announcements of the virtues of “Hostetter’s bitters,” while millions of almanacs were annually scattered broadcast to extol the tonic. The partnership continued until the death of Mr. Smith in 1884, when the firm was succeeded by Hostetter & Co., the present organization.

The manufacturing business was not sufficient to absorb all Mr. Hostetter’s energies and he gave his attention to numerous enterprises calculated to foster and promote the trade of Pittsburgh. He was one of the founders of the Fort Pitt National Bank, and for fourteen years or more was its president. For sixteen years or over he was one of the directors of the Farmers’ Deposit National Bank. He likewise took a prominent part in the inception and promotion of railroad enterprises. It was largely through his efforts, backed by subscription to its capital, that the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie railroad was built, forming, with its connections, an air line to Cleveland, and a direct line to New York, Chicago and St Louis. Mr. Hostetter was one of the directors of the company from its organization and for many years held its vice-presidency. He was also president of the Pittsburgh, McKeesport & Youghiogheny Railroad company, and was one of the prime movers and promoters for the building of the South Pennsylvania road, in which company he was a director. He was always ready, with capital, experience and personal influence, to aid in forwarding any railroad enterprise that promised to be of any benefit to the trade of Pittsburgh. Mr. Hostetter was one of the first to take hold of the natural-gas problem and invest freely of his money to aid in the development of this great source of wealth For several years he had been president of the Pittsburgh Gas company; was interested m the Allegheny Gasworks, and was a director in the East End Gas company, and Consolidated Gas company, of Pittsburgh. He subscribed forty per cent of the stock of the Fuel Gas company, of Allegheny county and later became interested in the Penn Fuel company, afterward becoming proprietor of both companies, which he sold to the “Philadelphia company,” of Pittsburgh, in which he owned one fourth of the stock, and in which he was a director. In common with many others, Mr. Hostetter was early interested in the oil business. In 1869 he made a venture in this direction which involved him in loss and litigation. In 1875 he engaged in the building of a pipe-line from Pittsburgh to Millerstown, a distance of thirty miles. In opening his line for business he encountered the opposition of the Pennsylvania Railroad company, then all-powerful in the legislature and the courts, and later of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad company. Becoming disgusted, after a long struggle, Mr. Hostetter sold his interests to the Standard Oil company of Cleveland, in 1877, receiving therefor enough to make good his previous losses in the oil business. Many more details might be given, if space would permit, to show Mr. Hostetter’s intense energy and activity. He was a gentleman of strong brain and will power, possessing excellent administrative talent, and was a tireless worker and close thinker. His success in life was due to no accident, but was the result of his own energy and clear-sightedness. He was a republican and a believer in a protective tariff, and took a deep and abiding interest in the city of Pittsburgh and its prosperity.

Mr. Hostetter was married July 13, 1854, to Miss Rosetta, daughter of Randall Rickey, of Cincinnati, and four sons and one daughter were born to this union. His eldest son, Harry Hostetter, entered Yale College in 1874, but went to Europe in the following year to study the modern languages. In 1876 he entered Heidelberg University, from which he graduated the following year. His father thought that a year of travel might be beneficial to him, and in company with his mother, sister and a younger brother, he visited many points of interest in England, France and Germany, and finally went to Rome. At Florence the sister was seized with Roman fever. When she became convalescent Harry was stricken with the same disease. He died en route to Paris, whither he was being carried on a special car. Mr. Hostetter endeavored unsuccessfully to reach his son before his death. This blow was a terribly sad one to him, one of whose dominant traits of character was a deep love for his family. The loss of his third son a few years later was another great bereavement.

During his active business life he enjoyed unusually good health, but within two years of his death he was suddenly stricken with a malady which caused him intense suffering. He traveled in Colorado and California, and visited various hot springs in other localities, seeking relief from his trouble, and finally, in the latter part of October, 1888, he went to New York for treatment. An operation was performed which promised good results for a time, but the reaction was too much for his strength, which had been worn out by constant suffering, and on the afternoon of Nov. 6, 1888, he passed peacefully away, surrounded by his stricken family. In the death of Dr. Hostetter the city of Pittsburgh lost one of its most influential citizens, and one who had ever sought for its welfare and prosperity. His acts of charity were many, and those in distress who sought him never left empty-handed. Though he made no display of his good works he was identified with any movement looking to the relief of suffering humanity, and his name will ever stand on record with his fellow-citizens as a bright and shining example.