From A
Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. II, p. 1164
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902
GEORGE D. HOSS
George D Hoss, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, owns and operates a valuable farm on section 15, Victoria township, Rice county. He was born in Shrewsbury township, Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, at Hunter’s Lake, December 14, 1850. His father, John Hoss, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, of German ancestry, and was reared to farm life in the state of his nativity. During the Civil war he offered his services to the Union, becoming a member of Company G, Sixty-first Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, of the Second Division, Third Brigade, Sixth Army Corps. He served his country with honor and distinction and returned to his home with a creditable military record. His wife was in her maidenhood Miss Elizabeth Reed, and was a native of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, of German descent. The parents resided near Hunter’s Lake for many years, and there reared their family, consisting of five children, namely: George D, Arritta Alice, Oliver C, William S and Elizabeth M. The father of this family was called to his final rest at the age of seventy-one years, in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and the mother died in Columbia county, that state, at the age of sixty years.
George D Hoss, the only member of the family to come to the Sunflower state, was reared to the quiet pursuits of the farm in the county of his nativity, and there he was early taught lessons of industry, economy and self-reliance. The public schools of the neighborhood afforded him his educational privileges, but in the school of practical experience he has added largely to his knowledge, thus becoming a well informed man. He remained in Pennsylvania until his twenty-third year, when, in 1873, he removed to Poweshiek county, Iowa, where he remained for one year, returning thence to Pennsylvania, where he resided until August 29, 1877, when he went to Warren county, Iowa, there remaining until February 18, 1884. That year witnessed his arrival in Rice county, Kansas, and here he has since remained. In 1893 he located on his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which is one of the best and most productive tracts of land in central Kansas, and the place is improved with a good farm residence, large barns, a windmill, a beautiful grove and orchard and all other accessories and improvements necessary to a well-regulated farm. He raises a good grade of horses and cows, and is one of the progressive and enterprising farmers and stock-raisers of the locality.
In Columbia county, Pennsylvania, on the 28th of December, 1876, Mr Hoss was united in marriage to Sarah Alice Farver, and for twenty-five years they have traveled life’s journey together, sharing with each other in its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity. She was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, October 10, 1851, and is a daughter of George Farver, who died July 6, 1870, at the age of seventy-nine years. He was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, near Reading. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Catherine Young, was born in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, and died in 1886, at the age of seventy-seven years. She was a member of the Church of Christ. Mr and Mrs Farver were the parents of nine children, namely: Susan, deceased; George; Peter, who was an employee of the government during the Civil war; Hester; Thomas; Rebecca; Theodore, deceased; Sarah; and Amanda. The union of Mr and Mrs Hoss has been blessed with three living children, as follows: Elizabeth Catherine, wife of G F Dale, of Harrison township, Rice county; Elmer, who is a young man of eighteen years, and is at home; and Stella, a maiden of fourteen summers. Two sons, Harvey and Henry, died in childhood, and Ernest, a twin brother of Elmer, also died when young.
Mr Hoss formerly affiliated with the Democracy, but is now identified with the Populist party, and for several years served as a member of the school board. Both he and his wife are active members of the Church of Christ, and he is a warm friend of education, religion and of temperance. He is a gentleman of genuine worth, who has many warm personal friends and the high regard of all who know him.