Roots & Branches Biographies Index
aka: Who's Who - Ancestor Edition.
Roots and Branches of the Hostetter Family incudes ancestors and descendants of Charlotte "Gram" Golden and Frederick Hostetter of Jersey City, New Jersey. Below you will find biographies of some of the ancestors of the many branches of this tree, organized by surname, and by maiden names for the gals.
Here you will find links to the military biographies, a good number of which have links to their Civil War Pension files.
Discover heartfelt ancestor mini biographies on Heirloomed
Hessel Thomas Applegate
Born 16 DEC 1900 • Neptune Twp, Monmouth, New Jersey
Died 27 SEP 1964 • Bradley Beach, Monmouth, New Jersey
--> Read about Hessel Thomas Applegate : The New Jersey Businessman with an Unusual Name
Holmes Francis Applegate
Birth 3 AUG 1931 • Asbury Park, Monmouth, New Jersey, USA
Death 14 AUG 2012 • Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
Father of Thomas Applegate. Born in New Jersey, and lived there until 1996, when he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Holmes was a collector of Jersey Shore memorabilia, postcards, photos & negatives, and almost any kind of ephemera, which much of has been passed down to his descendants. Some has found its way to museums and libraries around the country.
Thomas Harold Applegate
Husband and partner in crime of Christine "Tina" Flynn, (co-founder with Kerri Corby Fawcett of this group and website.)
Anna Marie Baird "McGill"
--> Discover Anna Marie Baird McGill, a courageous frontier wife, mother, and pioneer who helped settle Crawford County, Pennsylvania, beside Patrick McGill, one of the region's earliest settlers.
William Baird
Revolutioary War. Click on name above. Biography will open in a new tab.
Barbara Bergmann
--> Read Barbara Elizabeth (Bergmann) Hostetter Hensle Steinlein
Klara Bergmann Schmidt
--> Read the story of Klara Bergmann Schmidt
Born in Schweinshaupten, Bavaria – Died in Staten Island, New York
The Bergmann Sisters Story
--> Read the Story of the Bergmann Sisters.
John M Burchfield
Brother of soldiers Samuel, Robert, and William. John served in Company F 211th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry
--> Read more about John M Burchfield.
Samuel Montgomery Burchfield
Samuel Montgomery Burchfield: A Civil War Story of Service, Survival, and Family Legacy
Download the Original Pension File (87 Pages of History)
--> Read more information and link to download Veterans Pension File of Samuel M Burchfield
Robert Reid Burchfield
B: Feb. 12, 1830 Saegerstown, Crawford County, Pennsylvania
D: 8 Jan 1865 Florence, South Carolina
Grandson of Anna Marie Baird and Patrick McGill.
--> Read more information and link to download Veterans Pension File of Robert Reid Burchfield
William Burchfield
Brother of Civil War soldiers Samuel Montgomery Burchfield, John M Burchfield, and Robert R. Burchfield.
William was drafted in to service on March 6, 1865, in Company E 98 regiment of the Pennsylvania Voluntary Infantry.
--> Read About William Burchfield. Digital Civil War Pension File is available for download. (a sad 18 pages)
Mary Alice Clayton
The story of Mary Alice Clayton, placed for adoption in 1937, and her biological mother Gertrude Hostetter — rediscovered through decades of family history research.
--> Read the story of Mary Alice Clayton.
George Herbert Conklin
Birth 19 MAR 1887 • Cornwall On Hudson, New York, United States
Death 30 MAR 1963 • Monmouth, New Jersey
2nd husband of Charlotte Ross Golden Hostetter.
Biography to follow
John Conrad
Birth 1 APR 1833 • Pennsylvania, USA
Death 25 NOVEMBER 1915 • Meadville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania\
served in Company G, 103 Pennsylvania Infantry. HEADSTONE SAYS 105th
--> Read more information and link to download Veterans Pension File of John Conrad.
Nancy And Louisa Minerva Conrad
--> Read the story of Nancy & Louisa 'Frozen Shadows'
Carl Herbert Corby
Birth 5 SEP 1934 • Thurston Hollow, Wyoming County, Pa Death 12 AUG 1983 • East Rutherford, Bergen, New Jersey
Husband of Marjorie Ann "Hoodjie" Macchia.
Father of Group Founder Kerri Corby Fawcett.
Biography to follow.
Paul James Corby
Birth 24 MAR 1903 • Whites Ferry, Pennsylvania, USA
Death 14 SEP 1963 • Eaton, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, USA
Husband of Edna Mae Redmond and Grandfather of Group Founder Kerri Corby Fawcett.
Biography to follow.
Julia Anna Cochran
Birth 31 DECEMBER 1799 • Pennsylvania, USA
Death 12 SEPTEMBER 1870 • Crawford County, Pennsylvania
Daughter of Margaret Johnston.
Wife of William Perry McGill.
Mother of William Johnston McGill.
There are for no understanble reasons some family branches that I have no interest in. The Cochran line is one of them. I'm sure it is a fascinating branch of our tree, but still I just cannot search for more than a few minutes without wanting to move on. For a biography, please request from Kerri Fawcett, as she is the undisputed expert of our group in this family line.
Daniel Joseph Curtin
Birth 19 FEB 1905 • Jersey City, New Jersey
Death JUN 18, 1985 • Edison, New Jersey
Husband of Charlotte Elizabeth Hostetter
Biography to follow.
Dilworths.
Meet the Dillworths is a three-part series focusing on one branch of the McGill family tree written by Kerri Fawcett.
--> Read more about the Dilworth family of Bayonne, NJ.
Frank John Flynn
Frank John Flynn, son of Millie Hostetter Flynn & Frank Walter Flynn.
--> Read about Frank John Flynn
Frank Walter Flynn
Son of Walter Flynn & Grace Madison.
Husband of Mildred Gladys Hostetter.
--> Read more about Frank Walter Flynn
Walter Flynn
Born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania to a very large family, with immigrant parents, Walter moved to New Jersey, working on the railroad.
Walter Flynn is father of Frank Walter and John Flynn. Walter died at age 24, in a railroad accident, leaving widow Grace (Madison) Flynn to raise her sons alone, with young John suffering from severe epilepsy.
Clark Gable
--> Read about how the Hostetter clan is connected to Hollywood Legend Clark Gable.
Charlotte Ross Golden (Hostetter)
--> Read about the life of "Gram' Charlotte Golden, wife of Fred Hostetter
Edward F Golden
When Edward F Golden was born on April 7, 1893, in Bayonne, New Jersey, his father, Edward, was 29 and his mother, Anna, was 23. He had three sons and one daughter with Mildred Agnus Kirk between 1934 and 1938. He died on January 13, 1975, in Hackensack, New Jersey, at the age of 81, and was buried in North Arlington, New Jersey.Jersey Journal includes Edward Golden in Jersey City's Roll Of Honor. Rank Private, Remount Depot , Camp Dix, Wrightstown, NJ Home address 221 Winfield Ave. Next of kin: Sister. Mrs. F. Hostetter
Edward 'Eddie' "Egbert" Golden
Birth JUNE 1863 • Pennsylvania, United States
Son of Amanda Jane Lingenfelter Golden and John Golden.
Married Anna Tina McGill on August 7, 1888. Father of Charlotte "Lottie" Ross Golden, Edward F. Golden, Anna Tina Golden (1896-1900), Herbert Golden, Elmer A. Golden, Raymond Alfred Golden (1906-1909) and Charles E. Golden (1909-1909)
Death 18 APRIL 1926 • Jersey City, New Jersey, USA
Great Aunt Margie Hostetter left notes recording that Elmer is buried with his parents in New York Bay Cemetery Section H, North Row 7, Grave 5, Golden Plot
John Golden
--> Read John's Biography
Robert Drinkwater Haringa
Husband of Myrtle Barbara Hostetter
--> Read more about Robert Drinkwater Haringa
Andrew T Harvey
Born APRIL 4, 1837 • Pennsylvania
Died Dec 7, 1909
Son of Sarah Berry and James Harvey.
Husband of Delilah Ross.
Served as a Private in Co. H 150th Pennsylvania Infantry
Andrew is buried in of Greendale Cemetery, Meadville, Pa Section 2, Lot 155 findAgrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/122920803/andrew_t-harvey#view-photo=195221877
Anna Eva Hostetter Macchia
A family biography of Anna Eva Hostetter Macchia, featuring her Hostetter ancestry, life in Bayonne and Jersey City, marriage, children, and treasured family memories.
--> Read about Anna Eva Hostetter Macchia
Charlotte Elizabeth Hostetter
Born 20 OCT 1912 • Jersey City, Hudson, New Jersey USA Daughter of Charlotte "Gram" Ross Golden and Fred Hostetter and married Daniel Joseph Curtin. Charlotte Died 04 JUL 2005 • Edison, Middlesex, New Jersey
Fred Hostetter, Jr
Read the biography of Fred Hostetter, Jr , born 1888 in Jersey City, NJ
Frederick Hostetter, Sr ~
--> READ the biography of Frederick Hostetter, Sr. , Swiss immigrant.
Gertrude Helen Hostetter
Due to a large volume of content Gertrude "Gertie" Hostetter information can be found at this link.
Marjorie Emma Virginia Hostetter McCormack Krueger
--> read about our Gertrude Hostetter
Marjorie Emma Virginia Hostetter (McCormack - Krueger)
Great Aunt Margie faithfully and tirelessly wrote out and mailed family updates—tracking births, deaths, and marriages by hand. She preserved not just records, but relationships… sharing names and dates as they had been passed down to her, keeping the family connected in a time long before computers made it easy.
--> Learn more about Aunt Majorie Hostetter
Mildred Gladys Hostetter Flynn
Mildred Gladys Hostetter Flynn (1915–1977) | A Jersey City Original, third of the six Hostetter gals.
Read more about Millie Hostetter Flynn.
Myrtle Barbara Hostetter
Discover the life of Myrtle Barbara Hostetter Haringa (1919–1992), daughter of Charlotte Ross Golden and Fred Hostetter
--> Read about Myrtle Barbara Hostetter Haringa
Margaret Johnston
--> Discover the story of Margaret Johnston (1778–1820), an early settler of Edinboro, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Explore the Johnston, Culbertson, Cochran, and McGill family connections, pioneer life, frontier travel, early mills, and the founding families of northwestern Pennsylvania.
Anna Tina McGill (Golden)
--> Read Anna Tina's Biography
Flora McGill Keefer
While researching a far distant cousin (my 3rd cousin 4xs removed)—mezzo soprano Flora McGill Keefer—I found out she sang at the Memorial Day service at Arlington Cemetery in 1935. She performed The Star-Spangled Banner, There Is No Death, and something called The American Creed.
I'd never heard of this Creed before, but it's a beautiful reminder of what this country stands for—liberty, justice, and a government by and for the people.
So this Memorial Day, here's to Flora, for using her voice to honor the nation and for reminding me what a gift it is to be part of it.
I’m sure Flora sounded nothing like this, but here is a SUNO (AI) version I created of The American’s Creed.
https://suno.com/s/UpjvtFAB5X1KVXvH
Joseph L. Kopp
Learn more and link to download Civil War Veterans Pension File for Joseph L Kopp
Arthur J Krueger
Birth 13 MAR 1908 • Bound Brook, Somerset, New Jersey, USA
Death NOV 8, 1990 • Osceola, Florida, United StatesDec 30, 1961 • Jersey City, Hudson, New Jersey, USA to Marjorie Emma Virginia Kreuger
Amanda Jane Lingenfelter
--> Read Amanda's Biography
James Ellis McCloskey
--> Read James's Biography
Andrew Ryan McGill
GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA
With all of the talk about the current Governor of Minnesota in the news lately, I started to think about a past governor of that state. No, not Jesse 'The Body' Ventura! I am talking about our cousin Andrew Ryan McGill.
--> Read about Andrew Ryan McGill
Augustus McGill
--> Read Augustus's biography
Charlotte Ross McGill
I--> Read about the life of Charlotte Ross (McGill)
James McFarland McGill
--> Learn about James McFarland McGill, with link to Civil War Veterans Pension File Download available.
John Davitt McGill
Biography to follow
Lamont Dunwiddie McGill
Birth 1841 • Mercer, Mercer County, Pennsylvania (sources show conflicting birthdates. it's either 15 JULY or 10 OCT.)
Died at age 73 on 11 JANUARY 1911 • Cochranton, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Burial at Citizens Cemetery Section 3-130, Mercer, Pennsylvania.
son of John McGill and Mary Davitt. Grandson of Arthur McGill and Mary Logue. Never married.
1870 census and death certificate records his occupation as Harness maker.
served in Co B 83rd Pa. Infantry
It appears that the American Civil War Pension is filed like this, and I will be trying to retrieve those records later this year (2026) Name: L. D. McGill
Unit: Co. B, 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry
Invalid Pension
Application #: 1,178,946
Certificate #: 964,869
Patrick McGill
--> READ about our patriarch Patrick McGill.
William Johnston McGill
READ about William Johnston McGill, with Civil War Veterans Fila available for download.
William Ryan McGill aka Hon. W. R. McGill
--> Read about Mont. William Ryan McGill, one of Crawford County’s oldest and most widely known citizens, husband of Caroline A. Harkens.
Henry Minneley
Born 25 DEC 1842 • Canada, although death certificate records say Ireland.
Died 27 FEB 1914 • Edinboro, Erie, Pennsylvania
Married Caroline A Burchfield on March 13, 1869.
Worked as a shoemaker with his brother Charles before joining the army.
He served in Company A 56th regiment, P. V .M.
findAgrave: https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/9561649/person/24431554709/facts
Currently the PDF file is too large to upload to this site. We will have it divided up in the future.
Gerard "Gerry" Mossuto
-married Gertrude Helen Hostetter on April 19, 1975, in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Walter Joseph Popielarczyk
Birth 30 JAN 1914 • New Jersey Married Gertrude Hostetter on 14 May 1939 at Lafayette Church, Jersey City, New Jersey, USA Uncle Kenny notes indicate that they later divorced. Death MARCH 1979 • Goshen, Orange, New York
James Satterfield Porter
Born 13 Aug 1838
Died 23 Apr 1905 (aged 66)
Son of Sarah Satterfield and David Thompson Porter.
Husband of Frances M McGill Porter.
findAgrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/243757849/james-satterfield-porter
Buried at Oakwood Cemetery Section C Lot 63 Grave #4
Sharon, Mercer County, Pennsylvania
Wife FRANCES McGILL, born at Mercer, Pa., May 25th, 1839; married James S. Porter, Dec. 17, 1861. Died at Sharon, Pa., Sept. 8, 1900, leaving five children.
Eva Rosenberger by Kerri Corby Fawcett
--> Read about Eva Rosenberger Bergmann Hostetter
Betsey Ross?
Could our Ross family be connected to Betsy Ross, creator of the first American flag? Explore a long-standing family legend, William M. Ross of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, and the clues that keep this genealogy mystery alive.
--> Read about Betsey Ross.
Miller Ross
Date of Birth: 20 March 1839, Meadville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania
Date of Death: 26 June 1909, West Mead, Crawford County, Pennsylvania
Son of William Ross, a shoemaker, and Hester Wirt Ross.
Served in Company K, 150th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry
Click here for Miller Ross Biography and link for download to PDF of Veterans Pension File.
Serenus Ross
Born 1837 Died on February 6, 1867, at just 30 years old. Son of William Ross, a shoemaker, and Hester Wirt Ross. Click name above for Biography of Serenus Ross. Opens in new tab.
William Ross
Biography to follow just as soon as I learn more about him!.
Charles Stenten
Birth 3 AUG 1908. Death 6 DEC 1930 Parents unknown. Husband of Anna Eva Hostetter. Father of Robert Frederick Stenten.
Robert Frederick Stenten Sr.
Birth JULY 19, 1930 • Jersey City, Hudson, New Jersey, USA
Death AUGUST 31, 2013 • TUNKHANNOCK, PA
son of Anna Eva Hostetter and Charles Stenten.
Husband of Carmen Iris Morales.
From Kerri Corby Fawcett:
Today we remember the birthday of Robert Stenten Sr. who was born on this day in 1930 in Jersey City. Not only was he my beloved uncle and Godfather, he was the father of Robert F. Stenten Jr. and Ronald Stenten, the grandfather of 5 and now great-grandfather of 4. He was hilarious and loved to play jokes (especially on my mother!) and loved telling a good story, going to the casino, softball, basketball and the NY Jets! Greatly loved and missed. Happy Birthday Uncle Bobby!
Henry Clay Twichell
Birth 31 MAY 1844 • Edinboro, Pennsylvania
Death 25 DEC 1914 • Edinboro, Erie, Pennsylvania
Click here for more information. The Digital Civil War Pension File is currently too large to upload at this site, but the plan is to divide it in the future, so it may be uploaded in 2 parts.
Megan Vroom Kisala
Megan Elizabeth Vroom was born on June 6, 1978, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the beloved daughter of Charlotte McCormack Vroom and Eugene Vroom. Raised by her devoted mother, with the loving presence of her grandmother Marjorie Krueger, Megan grew up surrounded by family who cherished her.
From the very beginning, Megan brought joy and laughter into our lives. To many of us, she felt more like a little sister than a cousin. Childhood memories are filled with Atari games, holiday gatherings, Pictionary and Scattergories around the table, and the simple happiness of being together. A true child of the 80s, she loved My Little Pony, Strawberry Shortcake, and all things fun and colorful.
Megan attended school in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, graduating in 1996. With a natural flair for the dramatic, she pursued her love of theatre at Rutgers University and later performed in local and children’s theatre. She had a deep love for Broadway and musicals, always bringing energy and personality wherever she went.
Through theatre, Megan found the love of her life, Daniel Kisala. Their bond was unmistakable, and in 2018, at her beloved Disney World, Daniel proposed. They were married on February 18, 2022, in Orlando, Florida—a day filled with love, laughter, and a touch of magic.
Megan had a kind heart, especially for animals, caring for many cats over the years, including neighborhood strays. She loved music and singing along to her favorites, from Prince and Queen to Guns N’ Roses—walking down the aisle to “Sweet Child of Mine.” She also never turned down a good margarita shared with those she loved.
Megan was fun, unique, and deeply loved. She leaves behind beautiful memories of laughter, warmth, and joy that will live on in all of us.
(condensed from obituary by Kerri Fawcett)
Hester aka Esther Wirt / Wert
Born about 1817 in New Jersey, although some records say it was Pennsylvania. I have tried focusing on searching in the area of Wertsville, New Jersey, near the Pennsylvania border, but as of yet have had no luck.
Hester is also recorded as Esther in some records. The death certificate of her daughter Delila Ross Harvey has the name Margaret Ross as her mother , although I consider death certificates a less than reliable sources, as people are being peppered with questions at one of the most emotionally charged moments of thier lives. The person giving the information may not have never known Delila's mother.
Hester married William M Ross in Meadville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania on August 15, 1836. The welcomed the following children: Mary Ross, Syrenus Ross, Miller Ross, William Ross, Jr, Matilda Ross Beers Cook, Charlotte R "Lottie" Ross, Delila J Ross, Gilmon (or Gilbert?) Ross, and Orlando Ross.
Death 14 JAN 1884 • Mead, Crawford, Pennsylvania, USA
Wife of William M Ross. Mother of Mary, Serenous, Miller, William, Matilda, Charlotte/Lotte, DELIA, Gilmon, and Orlando.
A Note on Historical Events:
The stories and events shared here are part of our family’s history and the wider world’s past.
They are told to remember and understand—not to celebrate or encourage conflict in today’s world.
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