Hostetter - L.W.
LUCKY WINGERT HOSTETTER
Source: WELLSVILLE, KANSAS BICENTENNIAL 1776-1976
In
1870, L. W. HOSTETTER from Ladoga, Indiana arrived in Wellsville
on one of the first trains to run on the newly completed railroad.
His family and household possessions arrived later by covered
wagon. He purchased a 1200 acre tract about three miles south
of Wellsville which had prairie bluestem pasture and an abundant
supply of water provided by over a mile of Hickory Creek to
raise and feed cattle. Fencing and barbed wire had yet to be
invented and small enclosures were made by stone, split rail
or wood so immediately began the task of growing fences by planting
osage orange seeds for hedge. Until the hedges were large enough,
it was the duty of his ten year old son, A. D., to keep the
grazing cattle from wandering away from the home farm. The cattle
operation was a large one for that time and provided a market
not only for the grain raised on his farm, but also a market
for the neighbors' surplus grain. Mr. Hostetter was active in
community affairs and served two terms in the State Legislature.
In 1875, the northwest corner of the farm was given to the community
as a Cemetery and was known as the Hostetter Cemetery for many
years. Later it became known as Walnut Creek Cemetery. Descendants
of Mr. Hostetter who remained in this area are: A. D.. Josephine
and Lucky.
Thanks to Esther Troutt for this great biography!