JUSTIN O. HOTTENSTEIN.

JUSTIN O. HOTTENSTEIN—While gratitude is a characteristic of the human race—and it ever will be—the American people will never fail to hold in grateful remembrance those brave and loyal soldiers who fought for the preservation of the Union and aided in preserving intact the greatest republic on the face of the globe. Among the boys in blue Mr. Hottenstein was numbered, and in days of peace as well as in days of war he has ever been found as a faithful citizen.

He was born in Cook county, Illinois, March 11, 1837, and is a son of Philip S. and Elizabeth (Burns) Hottenstein, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Canada. The mother was driven from her home

by the British when he was only four years of age, during the battle of Lake Erie. The parents of our subject were married in Michigan and unto them were born six children, but the only survivor of the family is Justin O. (Colonel J. A. Hottenstein, now deceased, was a brother of our subject.) The father, who was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, died in 1842, and the mother, whose birth occurred in 1809, passed away February 7, 1881, at the age of seventy-two years.

When only eighteen months old Mr. Hottenstein, the subject of this sketch, was taken by his parents to Indiana, but after five years spent in that State the family returned to Illinois, where he remained until the inauguration of the Civil war. In the meantime Mr. Hottenstein had acquired a common school education and had become familiar with the work of the farm. He watched with interest the progress of events in the South and resolved that if an attempt at secession was made, he would strike a blow in defense of the Union. Accordingly on the 21st of April, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Twentieth Illinois infantry, was made sergeant and was afterward, April, 1863, promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. He served until 1864, and was then honorably discharged, on account of disability, from wounds received in battle. Among the most important engagements in which he participated were those at Fredericktown and Charleston, Missouri, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth and Britan's Lane, (at which latter place five hundred Union soldiers fought eight thousand Confederates) and Fort Gibson. He was under fire for twenty-one days, including the battle of Bayou Prairie and the battle of Raymond. May 12, 1863, at the last named he sustained a gun shot wound, the bullet piercing his lung and coming out under his left shoulder. He lay for days (was picked up after two days and bunched with the wounded) without medical aid among the dead and wounded, but was ultimately given medical attention. He was taken prisoner May 24th and escaped July 9th and went to Vicksburg. He furloughed home for recuperation but as soon as he was able rejoined his regiment and participated in the fight at Kennesaw Mountain, June 23, 1864. His wound incapacitated him for further duty, and on the 25th of June, 1864, he was honorably discharged from the service. During much of the time that he held the rank of sergeant he was in command of his company and his own personal bravery inspired his comrades to many deeds of valor.

Mr. Hottenstein was married while home on his furlough, on the 6th of April, 1864, to Miss Lois M. Smith. She is a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Ira W. and Lois (Beckwith) Smith, both of whom were born in 1810. The father was a native of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had five children, Mrs. Hottenstein being the fourth in order of birth. By the latter's marriage she has become the mother of six children, namely: Mrs. Addie B. Maxwell, of Kansas; Mrs. Nellie Payn, of Illinois; Mrs. Ida E. Crawford, of Ohio; Russell W., Fred J, and Archie P., at home.

In 1867 Mr. Hottenstein came to Kansas where he secured a homestead of eighty acres five miles east of Humboldt. He has since resided upon his farm but has extended its boundaries until it now comprises four

hundred acres, constituting one of the valuable and attractive country seats in Salem township. Everything is arranged for comfort and convenience. There is a good residence, a large barn and other substantial outbuildings. He raises much stock and is numbered among the prosperous farmers of the State. He has depended upon his own exertions for a livelihood since he was fourteen years of age, and therefore deserves great credit for his success. In his social relations he is a Mason, while politically he is a Democrat. His attention, however, has been chiefly given to his farm, which is a monument to his enterprise, diligence and capable management.

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