Hoffman, John Edward 1894-1918

HOFFMAN

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/14/2010 at 13:39:45

Le Mars Sentinel
December 3, 1918
John Hoffman, of Millnerville, is Victim of Pneumonia.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Hoffman, who live near Millnerville, have been advised of the death of their son, John, somewhere in France. He died at a hospital of pneumonia.
He left his home in July for Camp Gordon with a Plymouth County contingent of soldiers.
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Le Mars Sentinel, July 9, 1920
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hoffman have been notified that the body of their son, John, is on the way to this country and is expected to be in New York City July 8. As soon as the remains arrive in Merrill, it is expected to hold a military funeral. The body will be escorted to the church at Adaville by the former soldiers from this township and as many others as can participate in the ceremonies, and the funeral will be held there. Further notice, if possible, will be given in next week's paper.
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Le Mars Sentinel, July 23, 1920
The funeral of Private John Edward Hoffman, who died of pneumonia in France nearly two years ago, was held at the Adaville church on Tuesday afternoon and was attended by practically the entire countryside for miles around. There was between three or four hundred people present, many of course, unable to find places in the church during the services. The soldiers and sailors of Sioux township, assisted by a large delegation from the Akron post, had charge of the funeral, which was a military funeral, the first of the kind there.

Mr. Hoffman represents Sioux township's only gold star. The body was escorted from Merrill by three sailors, Nelson Brown, Bryan Dreeszen and George Pavlik, and three soldiers, Hart Hauser, Cyril Montagne and Claudis Pike. A company of soldiers at the left and the firing squad at the right, stood at attention as the casket was carried into the church. An old army chaplain, Rev. Jerome B. Bmantfel, of the First Christian church of Akron, preached a most excellent sermon from the text, "None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear." Music was furnished by a double quartet from the church choir. The church had been appropriately decorated with flags and a number of handsome floral pieces were in evidence. The Akron post brought a sheaf of lilies and a large bunch of carnations was the offering of the Sioux township Red Cross.

At the close of the services in the church, the body was escorted to the Pleasant Valley cemetery, the procession forming, as follows; The firing squad, the pallbearers, the hearse, the car with the family, the company of soldiers, led, by the chaplain and bugler, and a long string of cars and people on foot following. At the grave the final words were spoken by Rev. Emanuel after which the firing squad gave the parting salute and the bugler sounded taps.

Private John Edward Hoffman was born Aug. 2, 1894 in Johnson township, Plymouth County, Ia. and died in Brest France October 12, 1918, going from Le Mars Ia. to Camp Gordon, Ga. After two months in Camp Gordon he was transferred to Camp Merritt, NJ and from there very shortly sent overseas. He was taken ill with pneumonia while going over and removed to a hospital immediately upon landing at Brest, October 8, where he died within a few days. He leaves to mourn his early death his parents, Mr., and Mrs. Charles Hoffman, four brothers and a sister-in-law, as well as many other relatives and friends.

*Added note by family member: He was preceded in death by his grandparents and one infant sister Mae in 1893.