From: Brigitte Hostetter

Obituary - St Joseph County Independent, Walkerton -  April 9, 1892

Death of John R. Hostetter - Died Monday, April 4, 1892, John R. Hostetter, at his residence in Walkerton, aged 58 years and 15 days.  -  John R. Hostetter was born near Ligonier, Noble County, Ind., March 20, 1834.  He was the son of John and Mahala Hostetter and one of a family of twelve, of whom eight survive: Harvey Hostetter, Joplin, Mo.; Simon Hostetter, Whitesville, Ind.; Mrs. N.P.Bowsher, South Bend, Ind.; H.W.Hostetter, Knox, Ind.; Robison Hostetter, Colorado; Mrs. J.L.Manning, South Bend, Ind.; A.G. Hostetter, LaGrange, Ind.; Mrs. J.L. Smalley, Ligonier, Ind. 
Their father was one of the pioneers of Indiana and his sons, one and all, were true pioneer's sons, who did their duty towards leveling the forests and in their place have the fertile fields of what is known as the Hawpatch.  John was the readiest of all with the ax, and here laid up the store of health which afterwards enabled him to fight so vigorously against disease.  He was married, June 17, 1855, to Sarah Aurilla Potter and a few years afterwards he removed to this county; but he loved the pioneer life too well and in 1872 removed to Nebraska and was one of the first settlers in the Loup Valley in Merrick county; but two seasons of the grasshopper plague caused him to remove to Jefferson, Iowa, but ill health made him think of Indiana, so he returned in 1876, since when he resided here.  For the last five years he was an invalid, fighting disease with great determination, but finally the magnificent constitution was worn out and willing to go, he expired peacefully, with the faith of a true Christian, April 4, 1892.  He leaves a wife and six children to mourn his loss.  They are D.F. Hostetter, Wanneta, Neb., Mrs. Ella Stroup, Chicago, Ill., Emmett Hostetter, Mrs. John H. Miller, Carrie Hostetter, Hattie Hostetter, Walkerton, Ind.  (Obit cut off...possibly more)