The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-06
He Came to the City when Ia Was a
Trading station in n Dense
Wilderness.
STARTED IN LNE WITH $40
MIR. HOSBROOK BECAME a SUCCESS.
FUL FARMER IN THIs COUNTY.
A Lifelong Member OF the
Church, and "a Democrat of the
Old school.

Harvey Hosbrook, who was one of In
dianapolis's oldest citizens, died at . o'clock
last night at the home of his daughter,
Mrs. Howard Smock. 1723 North New Jer-
sey street. as the result of failing health
brought on by old age. Mr.. Hosbrook had
been an invalid for many years, and for
the past eight years was blind until a few
weeks ago. when he recovered his sight and
could see fairly well. However, his health
had been gradually declining and his death
had been expected for many days. lie was
in his eighty-eighth year. having spent over
ffty-five years of his life in indianapolis.
MIR. Hosbrook was born in Hamilton
county. Ohio, June 2. 1915, and was a farm
er by trade, which he followed throughout
his life until he retired from business a
number OF years ago. In 1857. with his
wife. he drove from Hamilton county, Ohio.
through the heavy wilderness of Ohio and
Indiana TO the then small town of In
dianapolis. The couple started out to seek
a new home with only $50 in cash. Ar
irving in the city, Mr.. Hosbrook secured a
tract of land from the government south
east OF indianapolis. near what is now
the old Churchman farm. He engaged in
farming and was successful. His farm was
afterward bought by Sarah T.. Bolton, and
MIR. Hosbrook removed to a farm on Eagle
creek where he lived until he retired from
active life and went to live with his daugh-
ter on North New Jersey -"et.
COUNTRY A WILDERNESS.
When Mr.. Hosbrook and his wife came to
indianapolis, fifty-six years ago. the coun-
try was almost a Wilderness, and Indian
apolis was hardly more than a trading CEN
fer Tho old wooden hri1Da that cnonna1
White river on the National road, and which
tumbled down with old age last year, was
at that time just newly built, and the old
brick Statehouse had not been standing
long. Mr.. Hosbrook used to haul a good
deal of timber into the city, and many of
the logs were drawn by teams of oxen.
With his brother Mr.. Hosbrook assisted in
building the old Madison railroad depot, the
first station put up in Indianapolis. He had
often spoken of the arrival of the first loco
motive into indianapolis, when people kept
many feet away from the track, fearing
the engine as something dangerous. Mr..
HOsbrook often made trips back to his home
in Ohio in those early days. On one trip he
hauled "A load of silver money in bags for
the Indianapolis Branch Bank to Cincin-
natl and returned with over $1,000 In In
diana State money. 1t took many days to
make the trip and the roads were rough and
dangerous. He was alone and at night he
slept on the money, and during the day
never mentioned it to any one whom he
CHANGED to meet. Both trips were made
successfully.
SUCCESSFUL IN FARMING.
He was remarkably successful in his
farming on Eagle creek, and when he re-
tired from business had a well cultivated
and fourishing tract of land. He was
forced to leave 1t on account of his health
about twenty-five years ago, and has since
made his home with his sister.
Mr.. HOsbrook was a lifelong member OF
the Methodist church, which he attended
regularly until his health became so pre-
carious that he was unable to go out. AL
though blind for eight years of his life, he
was always cheerful and made life for those
about him pleasant. He was very fond of
telling of his strange experiences when he
first came to indianapolis. In politics he
was a Democrat of the old school, and al
ways had the political news read TO him
during the days of his blindness.
MIR. Hosbrook leaves six children, two
SONS and four daughters. They are Arte-
mus b. Hosbrook. of Missouri Valley. Ia:
Daniel r.. Hosbrook, or Missouri Valley, Ia.
Mrs. Lydia Coffman, of Oklahoma City,
o. T.; Mrs. Irene A. Ekermeyer, of Mont
gomery. o.; Mrs. Nina Peters, of Southport,
Ind, and Mrs. Laura Il. Smook, of Indian
apolis.