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Donated by the family of Earl Henry Hostetler in 1969 (Accession nos. 1969-0013 and 1969-0014).
[Identification of item], Earl Henry Hostetler Papers, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
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Earl Henry Hostetler was born on December 12, 1890, in rural Illinois near the town of Arcola. He was raised on a farm in Texas, and attended Kansas State College, graduating in 1914. After graduation he went to work at North Carolina State College as an Assistant in Animal Husbandry on the College Experimental Farm. In 1917 Hostetler married Mildred Anderson. The couple had two children, Elizabeth and Charles. Hostetler served as a consultant to the Bureau of Animal Industry on several research projects, and in 1920 became the Supervisor of the Animal Husbandry Farm at the North Carolina State College. In 1928 Hostetler received the Masters of Science in Agriculture degree, and was appointed Professor, and Head of the North Carolina State College Animal Husbandry Section.
Professor Hostetler concentrated his energies on the development of a successful commercial livestock industry in the state of North Carolina. He encouraged the use of scientific stock farming methods, and used innovative field and classroom instruction techniques to inform his staff and students. Hostetler worked to create healthy relationships between the farming community, the academic world, and corporate marketers of agricultural products. Among his many achievements was the successful promotion of the use of cotton crop by-products as a nutritious and economical livestock feed supplement.
Professor Hostetler maintained an active involvement in civic affairs along with his duties as a university department head. He worked closely with the Raleigh Kiwanis Chapter, eventually becoming chapter president. He found time to work with the local Red Cross, the Community Chest, and the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. He maintained ties with his academic fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and during WWII served as the head of the Raleigh Civilian Defense Corp.
Hostetler retired from his postion with North Carolina State College in 1953. After retirement Professor Hostetler continued his active involvement in public affairs. For several years he worked in broadcasting as the Farm Director for WPTF Radio in Raleigh. In 1963 he ran for office, and was elected to the Raleigh City Council. He served as a City Councilman and had been selected to serve in the capacity of Mayor Pro Tem when he died in April of 1968. Throughout his life Earl Henry Hostetler was exemplary in his effort to model good citizenship. His was a life of service, with personal and professional endeavors focused always on creating a prosperous, safe, and balanced learning and living environment for the students of NC State, the citizens of Raleigh, and the people of North Carolina.
This collection documents Earl Henry Hostetler's career as a teacher, agricultural researcher, and civic leader. The Professional Series contains articles, correspondence, and speeches written by Professor Hostetler, as well as information on agricultural and business organizations. There is also material related to his work as an instructor and researcher at North Carolina State College, material from Professor Hostetler's experience as the Farm Director for WPTF Radio, and papers related to his work as a member of the Raleigh City Council.
The Personal Series contains biographical information, records on Hostetler's religious and civic and activities, with documentation of his involvement with the the First Baptist Church (1927-1962), Citizens Defense Corps (1940-1947), the Raleigh Civic Council (1941-1942), the Red Cross (1944), and numerous other public service organizations. Included are resolutions in memory of Professor Hostetler.
The Photographs Series consists of a small collection of photos depicting moments in Professor Hostetler's professional and personal life.
This collection is divided into three series: Professional, Personal, and Photographs.
The Professional Series is divided into two subseries. The first subseries, Professional Writings, consists of newspaper and journal articles written by Professor Hostetler. Additionally, there is correspondence that was written and received by Professor Hostetler, along with transcripts and notes from speeches that he presented. The second subseries, Professional-General, consists of material related to Professor Hostetler's work as an instructor and researcher in the field of animal husbandry at North Carolina State University. There is also material from the time period that Professor Hostetler's worked as the Farm Director for WPTF Radio, Raleigh, North Carolina, and papers related to Professor Hostetler's service on the Raleigh City Council.
The Personal series contains biographical information on Professor Hostetler and his family, records on Hostetler's religious and civic activities, with documentation of his involvement with the First Baptist Church of Raleigh, the Raleigh Citizens Defense Corps, the Raleigh Civic Council, the Red Cross, Presidency of the Raleigh Kiwanis Club, and numerous other public service organizations and functions. The series also includes resolutions in memory of Professor Hostetler.
Box 5 contains eight photographs ranging from 1917-1956. The series contains a photo of Professor Hostetler with his infant daughter Elizabeth. The remaining photographs depict the professor's involvement in a variety of civic and professional functions.