John Hoffmann

HOFFMAN, PAULSEN

Posted By: Barbara Gehlsen Nugent (email)
Date: 7/25/2011 at 12:15:04

Wolfe's History of Clinton County, Volume 2 - Excerpt, pages 1016, 1017

Jacob Hoffmann was born in Germany on February 21, 1862, the son of Peter and Martha (Paulsen) Hoffmann, both born, reared and educated in the fatherland, and who. in the year 1873, emigrated to America and located in Clinton county, Iowa. The father was a shoemaker by trade, which he followed successfully until old age. He lived in Washington township, this county, where his death occurred on February 21, 1901. His widow is still living, now at an advanced age. They were the parents of seven children, all of whom are living.

Jacob Hoffmann received his education in the schools of Germany, where he grew to maturity. He also attended school a short time after coming to this country. He was reared on a farm and he took up farming for a life occupation, working out as a farm hand until he was thirty-four years old, or in 1896, when, having saved his money, he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Hampshire township, Clinton county. He has brought this place up to a high state of cultivation and improvement, and built a fine house, a good barn and made all necessary improvements on the same. He is a general farmer and raises some good stock. In politics he is an independent voter, preferring to support the men who, in his judgment, are best qualified to fill the offices sought. He and his wife belong to the Lutheran church at Elvira.

On March 3, 1897, Mr. Hoffmann was united in marriage with Mrs. Matilda Jacobsen, a native of Clinton, Iowa, where she was reared and educated. This union has resulted in the birth of three children, Martin, Ernest and Louisa.