My Genealogy Hound

J. R. HOSLER, for a number of years a prosperous farmer of South Middleton township, and a successful traveling man, is now one of the honored residents of Carlisle. He is a son of Henry and Hettie (Ritner) Hosler.

Henry Hosler was born in 1818, in York county, Pa., but when a boy went with his father to Dillsburg, Pa., where the latter had purchased a large tract of land, consisting of 300 acres of woodland. It was his intention to cut off the lumber and char the stumps, but while engaged in this laborious task, he died, aged thirty-three years. Henry Hosler later came to Cumberland county, and lived with an uncle, John Hosler, being at that time only twelve years of age. He was to attend school in North Middleton township in the winter, and work on the farm in the summer, but was deprived of that opportunity, and when only fifteen he began waggoning to Philadelphia, Pittsburg and Baltimore, which he followed for several years. He then entered the employ of Jacob Ritner on the farm. While there he married and removed to Paris, Illinois.

In 1853 Henry Hosler married Hettie Ritner, daughter of Jacob and Alice (Scott) Ritner, of Cumberland county. Immediately after his marriage he went to Paris, Ill., and there remained two and a half years, when he returned to Pennsylvania and settled on the farm of Jacob Ritner, in South Middleton township, and farmed 150 acres until 1879, when he built a residence on West street, Carlisle, and lived retired until his death in 1902. He passed away firm in the faith of the Evangelical Church, of which both he and his wife were members. She died in 1903, at her home on West street, Carlisle.

J. R. Hosler was born at Paris, Ill., May 24, 1855, but he was brought to Cumberland county when a small boy by his parents, and educated in the schools of South Middleton township, continuing to attend school until seventeen years of age. He then came with his father to Carlisle, and was given the advantage of a course at the Spencer Commercial School, from which he was graduated in 1880.

In 1883, Mr. Hosler married Frances E. Myers, daughter of Dr. W. G. and Eunice (Pearson) Myers, of Philadelphia. The young couple went to live upon the Hosler farm in South Middleton township, where our subject made a great many improvements, including the erection of a residence. After about seven years, he built on A street, Carlisle, but after a few years, returned to the farm, and there remained until 1903, when he moved to his father’s late residence on West street, Carlisle, now his permanent home. Mr. Hosler has traveled extensively over Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland and Delaware for the Deering Company, of Chicago, and has been their representative for about three years. One child has been born to himself and wife, Joseph Ritner, now a bright little fellow, attending the Franklin school of Carlisle. In politics, Mr. Hosler is a Republican, but has never sought office. Mrs. Hosler is a member of the St. John Episcopal Church of Carlisle. Mr. and Mrs. Hosler are very highly esteemed people, who have many warm, personal friends in Carlisle and South Middleton township.