Born in
Washington County, Indiana, Hostetler attended the common schools, and apprenticed to learn the
blacksmith's trade. He later engaged in
agricultural pursuits. He served as member of the
Indiana Senate from 1854 to 1858.
Congress Hostetler was elected as a
Democrat to the
Forty-Sixth Congress (March 4, 1879 – March 3, 1881). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1880 to the
Forty-Seventh Congress.
Later career and death He then engaged in mercantile pursuits, and served as delegate to the
Democratic National Convention in 1880. He died near
Bedford, Indiana, November 24, 1899. He was interred in the Leatherwood Church Cemetery, near
Bedford, Indiana. ==References==