From the Napanee Advance News, March 2, 1961.
A two-term mayor and city councilman in Nappanee, Indiana, Mintle Emmett Hostetter had earlier attained prominence in the American Legion, being the commander of two lodges, and was an active Mason, Kiwanis Club president, and Shriner. The son of Emmett and Jennie Lee Hostetter, Mintle "Mint" Hostetter was born on August 11, 1891, in Indiana. His education occurred in the state of his birth and in 1913 entered into his first business venture, purchasing an interest in the Shirley restaurant in Walkerton, Indiana.
Hostetter's residency in Walkerton saw him run for his first political office in 1913, being an unsuccessful candidate for township trustee. A veteran of WWI, the duration and particulars of his service remain largely unknown, except notice of his being a sergeant in the 159th Depot Brigade. After the war's end, Hostetter would be active in the American Legion in Indiana, being the commander of the Elkhart County 40 and 8, commander of the World War I Veteran's Barracks 399 of Nappanee, and was a member of the Napanee American Legion post #154. Hostetter also served as district commander of the state American Legion and was past vice commander for the Northern Indiana district.
On the business front, Hostetter was a partner in the clothing company Hatfield and Hostetter of Nappanee, which also employed his wife Jane. The company later added a tailoring business, and some years after the death of his partner Hostetter sold the company to Warren and Rosemarie Rosbrugh. Hostetter entered Napanee politics in the 1940s with his election to the city council, where he served for two terms. In 1947 he announced his candidacy for mayor, and that November was elected, besting Citizens Party candidate William Wedmoyer, 591 votes to 479. He served two four-year terms (1948-56) and one year into his term proclaimed "Kids Day" in the city on November 19, 1949. In connection with the Kiwanis Club (of which he was a member), Hostetter's decree saw:
"Duly chosen children of our community shall briefly serve as officials of our city government. That we shall honor our most prized possessions and be ever ready to help those in need."
In November 1955 Hostetter was defeated in his bid for a third term by Democrat J. Maxwell Close in a close race, 617 votes to 640. In addition to his business and political doings, Hostetter held memberships in a number of fraternal groups in Elkhart County, including the presidency of the Napanee Kiwanis Club, president of the Napanee Chamber of Commerce, Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge of Walkertown, member of the Nappanee Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, the Nappanee Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and was a member of the Shriners of Hammond.
Mintle E. Hostetter's final years were marred by ill health, and he died at a veterans hospital in Fort Wayne on February 25, 1961, at age 69. His wife Mary Jane survived him by four years, and following her death in 1965 was interred alongside him at Nappanee's South Union Cemetery.
From the Napanee Advance News, October 30, 1947.
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