He was born in 1837/38 (3 (25 in 1863), 6 [24 in 1860]). He was born in Pennsylvania (3, 6).
In 1859/60, he married Caroline [unknown family name] (6).
In 1860, he was living in Conewago Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania (6). He was living with his wife Caroline, and with three others (6). He was a blacksmith, and owned $150 in personal property (6).
When he enlisted, he was a black[smith?] (3).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 6 inches tall, and had a fair complexion, hazel eyes, and light hair (3).
He was drafted (1, 3). His service was credited to the Ninth Congressional District (3). He enlisted and was mustered into service in the 118th Pennsylvania Infantry on 18 July 1863 (1, 3). He was a private, in company G (5). He was enlisted for three years, by Captain Robinson (3).
On 2 June 1865, he was transferred from the 118th Pennsylvania to the 91st Pennsylvania (1, 2, 7). He was a private in company I of the 91st (1, 7).
He mustered out with his company on 10 July 1865 (1, 3). He was a private, in company I (7).
On 7 June 1881, he applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (4, 5).
On 31 October 1882, his widow, Caroline Hostler, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (4, 5).
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster) (William Hostler)
2 company I, register of men transferred (William Hostler)
3 company I, descriptive roll, #98 (William Hostler)
4 pension index, by name (William Hostler)
5 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company I (William Hostler)
6 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Dauphin County, Conewago Township, post office Middletown, microfilm series M653, film 1103, page 20 = 20 handwritten (William Hosler [sic])
7 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William Hostler)
| line | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| Dwelling number | 138 | ||||
| Family number | 141 | ||||
| Name | William Hosler [sic] | Caroline " | Matilda Banthorp [??] | Peter " | Leah " |
| Age | 24 | 19 | 49 | 14 | 10 |
| Sex | M | F | F | M | F |
| Color | |||||
| Occupation | Blacksmith | Widow | |||
| Value of real estate owned | |||||
| Value of personal estate | 150 | ||||
| Place of birth | " [sc. Penn] | " | " | " | " |
| Married within year | 1 | 1 | |||
| Attended school within year | 1 | ||||
| Cannot read & write | |||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |