Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1903-05-01
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Abraham HotInaer Deceased.

very muca SdQdeHed at the announce
ment of the death of Mr.. Abraham
Hotingerswhich occurred early Friday
moFning,April 10Th. 1903. in bis 18th
year. ss1-x
The deceased was stout, Sinewy
man. and eBjoyed,A for the most part,
robust health. For long years be had
followed with unwearied devotion his
chosen pursuits in life, but his strength
began to- decline some months ago, his
heart developing special weakness. Ill
though there seemed to be an entire
collapse of all his powers.
The subject of this sketch, the son of
Jonathan Hotinger, was born in Rock
ingham county. Virginia, February,
the 18th, 1890 In his youth he learned
the blacksmith s trade, and engaged in
the business for short time in his ma
tive county. Finding change neces
sary, be. went to Augusta county, and
spentsoDe or two years there. Remov
ing from this place in the early tifties,
he was induced to go to Goshen in
Rockbridge county, that being an in
vitipg locality for one of his craft. AT
ter remaining about two years in Cos
hen, he worked one year at Mount
Hope Furnace, and then went to the
head OF Kerr g Greek, where Mr.. VIM.
L. Moore built shop for him. Here
he was actively engaged in his smithy,
until he decided to make trip to the
West and being satisfied from what he
saw there, that he could do as well or
better Ia. Virginia, returned to Kerr's
Creek, and opened shop at Mr.. Madi
SON Dunlap's. While there, the strug-
gle for Southern independence began,
a, hn nr,li a%1 4 - II In
fantry, and continued in the ranks, I'M
til there was an urgent demand for his
services as a smith, when he was de-
tailed for such service at California
Furnace. In this capacity be served
till the surrender.
Mr.. Hotinger, judged even by the
in life When the war of '61-'65 came
hammered out on his anvil. This
prosperous farmers of Kerr's Greek. all
without the loss of cent. Possessing
this sung sum, on October 3Oh, 1866,
he married Miss Minerva A. Armen-
land on Golfers Greek. 70 this, other
lcAoS WClO douCQ ny uuUll q
large and valuable farm was owned and
improved by him, and which continued
to be his home az long as he lived.
Here he gave up his trade as business,
and became a practical and success
full farmer and graZier. In the course
of time, he bought the Davidson es.
tate" on Kerr's Creek, and fine old
homestead on Buffalo. Industry, econ
nd nj h oF,or
acteristic traits of this self-made man,
and, by the use of these, and Gods
blessing, he accumulated fortune of
$25, 900 or $50, 600.
The departed was a man of faith and
prayer. When Il or Is years of age. he
had an attack of typhoid fever. and
his life was despaired of by the attend
ants. While in this condition, be
dreamed that he was dead and in
hell" The dream, and the consequent
mental agony solemnized his whole af-
ter life, and was the means of bring
ing him to Christ, although, for some
reason, be did not join any church till
80 years afterward. He then united
with the Collierstown Presbyterian
church, and for some time previous to
his death was one of its Board of Dea
cons. In this office he was active and
useful, and took much interest in con-
gregatiOnal matters.
In his domestic life, discounting
such SORROWS as may come to all, Mr..
Hotinger was highly favored, and had
the peculiar comfort of seeing all the
members of the family safely housed
in the church. His wife and seven
children survive him. These are
Messrs. John N, Rice, Lewis L., Gro
yer A, and Ray w. Hotinger, and Mre.
Anna L. Savile of Buffalo, and Mrs.
Ida T. Lowman of MiIlboro, Va. The
husband and father was very thought
full of his loved ones, and. in order to
avoid Executor, Administrator. and
Lawyers fees. and family troubles, he
bequeathed his property to his wife and
children. severally, by a self executing
will. Let it be, also, noted with ap-
proval, that to little girl, taken into
his home to raise, he left $500, and that
to a colored woman, who had been
faithful in the family as a servant, he
willed $3.50.
The deceased was buried from the
Coilierstown Presbyterian church at
2 D. N. Saturday, April the 18th, 1908.
his pastor, Rev. r. M. Tuttle, conduct
ing theservice, and preaching sermon
from Isaiah, IS: 1-''Set thine house in
order, for thou shalt die and not live"
A very large concOurse of relatives.
friends, and acquaintance was present
at the funeral, and all seemed awed,
serious, and sympathetic.
OF the seven living brothers and Sis
tiers of Mr.. Hotinger, only one attend
ed the obsequies, Mr.. Jacob Hotinger
of Roman, Augusta county, Va. He
was twin brother, and was overcome
with grief at his loss, as be looked into
the open vault.
The interment was made in the Col
lierstown cemetery, where sometime"
was beautifully rendered by trained
voices. and whittier many flowers were
borne to be banked upon the grave.
We extend deepest sympathy to the
sorrowing family, and pray God to
comfort. and make them all ''wise I'M
to salvation" r. M. FUTILE.
Lexington, Va, April IA, 1908.