Text from Haynes, Nathaniel S. History of the Disciples of Christ in
Illinois 1819-1914, Cincinnati:  Standard Publishing Company, 1915. Page
524.  This online edition (c) 1997, James L. McMillan. Used by
permission. Unknown county.

Biographical Sketch of Joseph Hostetler
Born:  Kentucky, 1797.
Died:  Illinois, 1870.

     Joseph Hostetler was a remarkable man.  He is properly classified
with the pioneer preachers of Indiana, but his services in Illinois
entitle him to this notice here.  He was of German blood and German
Baptist parentage.  Thought a typically mischievous boy, under the
influence of his mother he very early in life learned to love the
Scriptures, particularly the biographies of the Old Testament characters. 
In the great revival of 1811 he wished to enter the church, but his
parents thought him too young.  But one of his companions, of his own age,
was received upon the following experience, which illustrates the
prevalent thought of the time on the subject of conversion.  When asked to
describe the work of grace upon his heart, the lad sobbingly replied:  "I
don't know as I has any work of grace to tell.  I is a poor sinner."  "Do
you believe in Christ?" asked the leader. "Oh, yes, ever since I can
recollect."  When further asked if he had dreamed anything remarkable, he
related, in substance, as follows:  He went to bed as usual in great
distress; dreamed that he was going he knew not where, when the devil met
him and was hurrying him off toward hell; thinking himself lost forever,
just then a young man met them and rescued him; and that he then awoke in
a transport of joy.  Whereupon, a gray-haired deacon arose and said: 
"Brethern [sic], I have been a Baptist for twenty-five years, and if I
ever heerd a experience of true grace, this boy has given us one.  So it
is with the poor sinners; They are goin' they know not where tel the Lord
meets em.  I can interpret this dream.  He's powerfully converted.  Glory
to God."  This incident impressed young Hostetler deeply.  As he had no
such experience, he read the Bible through and with remarkable persistence
searched the New Testament, where he learned that his faith in Christ and
repentance toward God should be expressed in his public confession of the
Lord Jesus and his baptism "for the remission of sins."  In his nineteenth
year he was thus received into the German Baptist Church by his uncle,
Adam Hostetler.
     Shortly thereafter he was married and about the same time authorized
by the church to preach.  On that solemn occasion his uncle presented him
with a small Bible, saying:  "Preach and practice only what you find in
this Holy Book."  Many things were yet confused in the thoughts of this
young preacher, but he made daily use of the Bible and an English
dictionary.  About 1824 the first volume of the Christian Baptist fell
into his hands, which he read with eagerness, but not with entire
approbation.  He was strong, self-reliant, clear-minded, purposeful, and
with a tremendous capacity for work, both physical and mental.  In mature
life he spoke both the English and German languages with equal ease and
fluency.  He was noted for the accuracy of his speech, both in his private
conversation and in his public addresses.
     Mr. Hostetler came to Illinois in 1832 and settled on a farm about
twenty miles east of the then village of Decatur.  There he served as a
pioneer farmer and preacher, organizing in that year what was then called
the Okaw Church.  He entered Decatur the same year to preach.  The
Methodists and Presbyterians had preceded him, and, according to the
custom of those days, bitterly denounced his discourses as Camapbellism,
Romanism, infidelity, etc.  Such men as he are never intimidated, and a
number of the people, hearing his message, believed in Jesus Christ and
were baptized.
     The first church in Decatur, that was Christian only, was organized
there by him in 1833.  He moved there the next year, and during his two
years' residence supported his family by the practice of medicine, for
which he had fitted himself by his unflagging industry.  He returned to
Indiana, in 1836.  During this period of four years, he met Bushrod W.
Henry, a mighty, resolute and deeply religious Baptist preacher.  He also
met John W. Tyler, also a Baptist minister of fine mind.  Both of these
men had come from Kentucky to Illinois in the early thirties.  Under the
guiding influence of Mr. Hostetler, Mr. Tyler discarded his "articles of
faith" for the Scriptures solely and dropped his denominational name for
Christian only.  Mr. Tyler conducted the obsequies of Mr. Hostetler, and
in his funeral discourse stated this fact as it related to himself.  Mr.
Hostetler returned to Lovington, Ill., in 1861, where he passed the
remnant of his days.  He was a self-reliant and aggressive leader of men. 

Hostetler Henry Tyler
=
Decatur-Macon-IL IN

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