Theodore R. Hostetter

Theodore R. Hostetter
Born 1870
Died 1902
Nationality American
Occupation Businessman
Polo player
Yachtsman
Spouse(s) Allene Tew
Children Greta Hostetter
Verna Hostetter
Theodore R. Hostetter
Parent(s) David Hostetter
Rosetta (Rickey) Hostetter

Theodore R. Hostetter (1870-1902) was an American heir, businessman, polo player and yachtsman during the Gilded Age.

Biography

Early life

Theodore Rickey Hostetter was born in 1870.[1] His father was David Hostetter (1819-1888) and his mother, Rosetta (Rickey) Hostetter.[1][2] He had a brother, D. Herbert Hostetter.[2] He attended public schools in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania the Western University of Pennsylvania, and a college in New England.[2]

Business

He served as Vice President of the Hostetter Company, his family business.[2] He also ran the East End Riding Academy.[2]

Sports

He built a polo field on his Pennsylvania farm, and played polo regularly.[2][3]

Additionally, he was an avid yachtsman.[2] He was a member of the New York Yacht Club and the Columbia Boat Club.[2]

He was also a notable gambler.[4] For example, he won US$30,000 on the United States presidential election of 1896, by betting on William McKinley.[4] He also gambled and won on yacht races.[4] Additionally, he would bet US$1,000 a game on polo matches in Narragansett Pier.[4] The year before his death, he lost US$1 million, mostly to David C. Johnson, John Daly and Richard Canfield.[4] David C. Johnson sued his widow to get his money back.[4]

Personal life

He married Allene Tew (1872-1955).[1][2] They had three children:

  • Greta Hostetter (1892-1918; married Glenn Stewart).[1][2]
  • Verna Hostetter (1893-1895; died in early childhood).[1][2]
  • Theodore R. Hostetter, Jr. (1897-1918; killed in World War I).[1][2]

They had a farm in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.[2][3] They also resided at the Waldorf Astoria New York, a luxury hotel in Manhattan, New York City.[2] Additionally, they summered in Narragansett Pier, Rhode Island and wintered in South Carolina.[2]

Death

He died of pneumonia on August 3, 1902.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 The Peerage: Theodore Rickey Hostetter
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "Sudden Death of Hostetter". The Pittsburg Press. August 4, 1902. p. 2.
  3. 1 2 Alpine MacArthur, Kobuta--A History of the Land Archived 2008-11-18 at the Wayback Machine., Milestones, Vol. 3 No 2. Spring, 1977
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gambled Away Million: Hostetter, It Is Said, Was Great Plunger, Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, April 1, 1903
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