Theodore R. Hostetter

Theodore R. Hostetter (October 19, 1870 – August 3, 1902) was an American heir, businessman, polo player, and yachtsman during the Gilded Age.

Early life Theodore Rickey Hostetter was born in 1870, the youngest son of David Hostetter, a prominent Pittsburgh businessman and banker, and Rosetta (née Rickey) Hostetter. He had a brother, D. Herbert Hostetter.

Gambling Hostetter was well known for high-stakes gambling. For example, he won $30,000 on the 1896 United States presidential election, by betting on William McKinley. He also gambled and won on yacht races. Additionally, he would bet $1,000 a game on polo matches in Narragansett Pier.

After his death, it was reported that Hostetter had lost $1,000,000 in the last year, mostly to David C. Johnson, John Daly, and Richard Canfield. Reportedly, "efore he was buried the gamblers who claimed that the young man owed them large sums called upon the widow to effect a settlement." Johnson sued Hostetter's widow and received $115,000.

Personal life In 1891, Hostetter married Allene Tew. Additionally, he was an avid yachtsman. He was a member of the New York Yacht Club and the Columbia Boat Club. Verna Hostetter (1893–1895), who died in early childhood. Theodore Rickey Hostetter Jr. (1897–1918), who was killed in World War I.

After his death, his widow remarried four times, including to Anson Wood Burchard, Prince Heinrich XXXIII Reuss of Köstritz, and Count Pavel de Kotzebue.