Hostetter, Charles Elmer (1899)

HOSTETTER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 3/9/2016 at 15:58:33

The Grinnell (IA) Herald
April 1899

--Tuesday evening, May 30, 1899, at a little after ten, at the home of his parents on Broad street, the earthly life of Charles Elmer Hostetter closed, and after months of weariness, weakness and pain he entered into rest, in his 28th year. A heave cold contracted a year ago resulted in lung trouble which did not seem to yield to the ordinary remedies, and a residence of some months in Colorado was tried. At first it seemed to benefit, but later did not, and in February he returned to his home in Marengo. The family came to Grinnell the first of April, and for the last two months he has resided here. Failing strength has kept him from forming new acquaintances or attending public gatherings, the only occasion on which he was present at any of the church services being the Easter praise service, which by making a special effort he was able to attend and which he greatly enjoyed, his natural taste for music adding to the pleasure of it. Of a gentle and affectionate nature he made friends and kept them, some of whom, early friends and associates, testified to their regard for him by being present at the funeral and officiating as bearers. Early in life he became a Christian during a revival conducted by Rev. H.M. Skeels and Rev. Hammond Marsh, in the Genoa Bluffs church, of which the latter was pastor, and united with that church. Some twelve years ago he was for some months a pupil in the high school here, and during that time he became a member the Christian Endeavor Society. Upon his return home he became a charter of the Society organized there and its first president. Patiently and uncomplainingly he bore his long sickness, hoping, praying to recover, yet resigned to the will of God, "He will do what's best," was one of his last utterances to those who were near him. The services were conducted by his pastor, Rev. C.W. Stark of Genoa Bluffs, and Rev. Mr. Vittum. Among the floral gifts was a beautiful token from the K.P. lodge of Marengo, of which order he was a member, and others from kind friends of this city who assisted in this and in other ways, and in the service of song, which was by Mrs. A.B. Mack, Miss Kate Hibbard, Mr. J.C. Walker and Mr. O.F. Parish.