Hoffmann, Charles D. 1827 - 1911

HOFFMANN, HOFFMAN, DONDELINGER

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/4/2010 at 16:58:25

Note: Sometimes in the last name is spelled Hoffman but for this man it is actually Hoffmann.

Another of the pioneers of Plymouth County, C. D. Hoffmann, passed away at his home on east Sixth street on Thursday afternoon after an illness of several weeks. His death was due to the infirmities of old age, he having attained more than the allotted span of life.

Charles D. Hoffmann was a native of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, Europe, and first saw the light of day at Hovelingen on February 27, 1827. He was reared and educated in the schools of his native land and on attaining manhood worked at the carpenter trade and became an expert cabinet maker. He spent four years of his life in Paris and Lyons, France, working at his trade.

In 1854 he came to America and settled near Tete de Mort in Jackson county, Iowa, where a number of his fellow countrymen had already established themselves. He was united in marriage at Dubuque on January 17, 1855, with Miss Elizabeth Dondelinger, and they lived together in happy married life for fifty years, Mrs. Hoffmann preceding him in death six years ago, On January 15, 1905. To their union eleven children were born, eight of whom, four sons and four daughters, are living. They are, Miss Susan Hoffmann, of this city; Mrs. Louise Homan, of Alton; Mrs. M. B. Gehlen, of Scottsville, Texas; Sister Gabrielle, of New York City; D. N. Hoffmann and J. A. Hoffmann, of Le Mars, C. J. Hoffmann, of Seattle, Wash., and A. N. Hoffmann, of San Francisco. He also leaves two brothers, Nick Hoffmann, of this city, and Dominique Hoffmann, of Dubuque.

Mr. Hoffmann engaged in farming in Jackson county for several years and in 1870 came to Le Mars by way of Sioux City, the Illinois Central railroad not being completed west at that time: On his arrival here he homesteaded on an eighty adjoining town and at the same time built the Dubuque house which stood at that time where the residence now is. Later it was moved to its present location. Mr. Hoffman was engaged in the hotel business for several years, selling out finally to Hoffman & Lax.. C. D. Hoffman was intimately connected with the early history of Le Mars and was one of the number of men who combined in efforts to build up the northwest.

In conjunction with the late Peter Gehlen Mr. Hoffman was largely instrumental in inducing a large number of his countrymen to come to the Gateway city and take up land, judging with foresight that here splendid advantages were to be realized in a few years. Many hundreds of Luxemburgers came from eastern Iowa and settled in Plymouth, Sioux and O'Brien counties. Mr. Hoffman was held in the highest respect by these people and acted for the new arrivals as counselor, guide and friend, and many a man now wealthy blesses the day he first met C. D. Hoffman and took his advice about locating in northwestern Iowa. Mr. Hoffman, moreover,was a devout and conscientious man. Among his first efforts in the new settlement was the establishment of a church of the faith in which his fathers worshiped. With him as a leader four families founded the first Roman Catholic church in Plymouth County, and people for forty miles around in the then sparsely settled country, came to attend services whenever conditions permitted.

In his life Mr. Hoffman held many positions of trust, and the utmost confidence was reposed in him by all whom he knew. For many years he was a supervisor, served as overseer: of the poor, was a member of the school board for fourteen years and served a number of terms as city treasurer. In the, early days much of the business and bustle of the city centered around his personality, and he was most active in all affairs pertaining to the good of the community and the growth of the city. He lived to see a bare uncultivated prairie become one of the best agricultural spots in the country and a hamlet grow to a modern city with several thousand inhabitants,: and had done yeoman service, in assisting in this development. Forseveral years; slowing to failing health, he has lived a retired life, tenderly cared for by his daughter, Miss Susan Hoffmann, and his sons; and enjoying the company and society of-many time tried and true friends. His sons, Charles, and Arthur, were here recently to see him and left for the west only a few days ago.

The funeral was held on Saturday morning and was largely attended, many friends and relatives coming from Alton, Hospers, Granville, Remsen and other towns to pay the last tribute of respect to their old friend and neighbor. Solemn requiem high mass was celebrated and the body was borne to its last resting place by six of his old friends.

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
Tuesday, May 2, 1911
Le Mars, Iowa

Plymouth Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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