N A HOFFMAN, b 26 Nov 1849

HOFFMAN, GLASSNER, MILLER, HITER

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 6/5/2004 at 07:59:28

N. A. Hoffmann is conducting a prosperous business as a general merchant in La Motte. In 1889 he erected his present store, a commodious, well-arranged building, two stories in height, 22x50 feet in dimensions, neatly and tastefully fitted up, and stocked with a large line of first-class goods. Mr. Hoffmann is prominently connected with the civic life of the town, has held various important offices, and is still Township Clerk and Notary Public. Our subject is of foreign birth, born in Kehlen, Luxembourg, Germany, Nov. 26, 1849. His grandfather, Michael Hoffmann, Sr., was a native of the same province, and was there engaged as a horse dealer and trainer. The father of our subject was born in that country in 1805, and after attaining manhood became a wagon-maker, and had a shop in Kehlen, carrying on business there until his removal to American in 1861. On his journey to this country he was accompanied by his family, and they left Havre in a sailing-vessel, and after a voyage of thirty-four days landed in New York, and from thence came by rail to Dubuque. After his arrival in this State the elder Hoffmann invested some money in some land in Prairie Spring Township, and gave his attention to farming and stock-raising, improving a fine farm of 190 acres of excellent and highly productive land. He is now living in honorable retirement after a busy, prosperous life, on the homestead with his son. He is a respected member of the Catholic Church, and has always borne a high reputation as a man and as a citizen. His wife is also living, and the good old lady is now seventy-eight years old, having been born in Luxembourg in 1811, her maiden name being Catherine Glassner. Six children have blessed their union: Michael, living in Dakota; John, in Prairie Spring; Frank, in Dubuque County; N.A.; Angeline, in Richland; Mary, in Dakota.

Our subject was reared in the fatherland until he was twelve years of age, and in its excellent schools obtained the foundation of a solid education. After coming to this country he attended the public schools of Jackson County, and remained at home with his parents until the year 1870. He then started out in life for himself as a merchant in Wood River, Holt Co., Neb., continuing there for six months, when he sold out and returned to Prairie Spring. He then took up the profession of a teacher, and was thus engaged in that township six years. In May, 1863, he moved to La Motte and bought a stock of general merchandise from John Wilson & Son, and also a half block of buildings. He enlarged the stock, and carries as fine an assortment as any firm in town, and is doing a flourishing business. His residence adjoins the store, and here he and his wife have established an attractive home, the centre of a generous hospitality which they extend to a large circle of friends.

Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman were united in marriage Feb. 1, 1875, and to them have been born five children, namely: Michael, Kate, John, Peter, and Frank. Mrs. Hoffmann's maiden name was Eliza Miller, and she was born in this State, Mosalem Township, Dubuque County, being her birthplace. Her parents, Michael and Mary (Hiter) Miller, were natives of Luxembourg, and came to this country and located in the township just mentioned, where Mr. Miller was engaged in farming until his death.

Mr. Hoffmann is a methodical, practical man, and conducts his business systematically and with a shrewd eye to profit, devoting his whole time to it. He has a clear head and well-trained intellect, and is classed among our most intelligent and well-informed men, and is therefore very desirable as a public official, and, as before said, figures prominently in local civic life. He was elected to his present office of Township Clerk in 1878, and was appointed to that of Notary Public in December, 1882 by Gov. Sherman. While engaged in teaching he was Justice of the Peace four years, and he has been Town Counselor and Recorder. He is at present Secretary of the School Board, and no one in the town works more earnestly to further the cause of education in this locality than he. He is an active worker in the ranks of the Democratic party, is one of the County Central Committee, and has been a delegate to county and State conventions. He is a valued member of the Catholic Church at Prairie Spring.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)