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] After 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 2 3 4 5 6 The Peerage: Theodore Rickey Hostetter
- 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.
- 1 2 Alpine MacArthur, Kobuta--A History of the Land, Milestones, Vol. 3 No 2. Spring, 1977
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gambled Away Million: Hostetter, It Is Said, Was Great Plunger, Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, April 1, 1903