Henry Hoffa

HOFFA, SNYDER, SHELLY, SAYRE

Posted By: Gail Meyer Kilgore (email)
Date: 3/5/2004 at 02:14:45

HENRY HOFFA, a farmer residing on section 14, Melrose Township, Grundy County, and the present efficient Treasurer of the township, is a native of the Keystone State. He was born in Northumberland County, Pa., October 12, 1843, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Snyder) Hoffa. Their family numbered sixteen children, fourteen of whom are still living. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, and removed thence to Illinois in 1854, locating in Ogle County, where he made his home until his death, which occurred in August, 1891. He served as Supervisor of his township, and was a highly respected citizen. His wife still makes her home in Ogle County.

In that county the subject of this sketch was reared to manhood, and it public schools afforded him his educational privileges. His boyhood and youth were passed under the parental roof, and he became familiar with all of the duties of farm life. In the year in which he attained his majority, he entered the service of his country, joining the boys in blue of Company D, One Hundred and Forty-second Illinois Infantry, in which he served for six months.

The marriage of our subject was celebrated in Carroll County, Ill., the lady of his choice being Miss Elizabeth Shelly, daughter of Abraham Shelly, a well known farmer of Carroll County, who was a native of Pennsylvania. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm in Carroll County, where they made their home for three years, when in the spring of 1873 they came to Grundy County, Iowa, settling in Melrose Township. Mr. Hoffa here purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in 1867, the purchase price being $3.50 per acre. There were no improvements upon the place, the land being still in its primitive condition, but with characteristic energy he broke the prairie, planted crops, and in course of time abundant harvests were garnered. He still carries on general farming and stock-raising, always keeping on hand a good variety of stock. As his financial resources have increased he has added to his possessions, until he now has three hundred and twenty acres, the north half of section 14. The place is well drained, is supplied with good water from a fine spring, and has all of the improvements of a model farm.

Five children have been born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hoffa, namely: Maria, now the wife of Thomas Sayre, a farmer of Melrose Township; Harvey, Ives, Ada and Lester, who are still with their parents. The family is well and favorably known in this community, and the Hoffa household is the abode of hospitality. In politics, our subject is a supporter of Democratic principles, and has served as Treasurer of Melrose Township for two years, with credit to himself and satisfaction of his constituents.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894