This stirring and highly respected young man is, in company with his brother, handling a fine business as blacksmith and mechanic. He is a man of broad experience in various branches of mechanical industry and has proved himself a skillful and talented artisan in his line of work.
Herbert T. Hosley was born in Mendota, La Salle County, Illinois, on April 22, 1869. His’ father, Andrew J. Hosley, was a cabinet maker and was born in Arlington, Vermont, on July 20, 1841. He was a pioneer in Rooks County, Kansas, and served three years and eleven months in the Eighty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was one of the crew on the flying train to assist in fighting the awful Chicago fire. Mr. Hosley married Jennie Matteson and they became the parents of five children, our subject, Isabella J. Wilkins, Robert A., Ida Eaton, and Frank H., now in partnership with the subject of this sketch. The firm is known as Hosley Brothers, of Forest, and they do a good business.
Our subject remained under the parental roof until he was seventeen and then entered apprenticeship in the Dowing & Watham Machine shops at Clay Centre. Three years in that shop and then we see him in Spokane, where he entered the employ of the Washington Water Power Company. Later he was engineer in the Tidball block and went to Dayton in 1891. He took charge of the Eckler sawmill and in the spring of 1892 he entered the employ of Feehan as engineer He remained with him until 1901, and then opened his present shop where he and his brother are doing a good business.
On October 28, 1894, Mr. Hosier married Miss Elsie E., the daughter of John G. and Margaret C. Ball. The father is a farmer and was born on April 25. 1856, and the mother was born on October 22, 1859, and they are both still living. Besides Mrs. Hosier they were the parents of three children, Liberty L., Orville O., and Violet V. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hosley. Cecil F., Marion B., Freeda G, Fay H.
Mr. Hosley is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is prominent in fraternal circles. He has been noble grand of his lodge and is now P. G., D. D., and G. M. of Idaho. He is also a member of the M. W. A. Mr. Hosley stands well in the community, is a man of stirring energy and has hosts of friends.
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Source: An Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903