Hugo Hoffbauer 1836-1921

HOFFBAUER, SCHNEIDEWIND, MOOREHEAD, MAYHAUS, REINBRECHT, MEYERS

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 11/21/2016 at 12:12:15

From a book written about those who lived in Scott County.

Page 696

Hugo Hoffbauer

One of the prominent business men of the town of Buffalo, who despite the fact that his many years would entitle him to a well deserved rest has not but to give his best efforts to the mercantile business which he is engaged Hugo Hoffbauer.
He was born in Aueleben, Germany, March 3, 1836, and is the son of Frederic and Mathilda T. (Schneidewind) Hoffbauer. The former was native of Copenhaven, Denmark, where his birth occurred November 10, 1816, while the later (Mathilda) was born in Prussia, Germany, in the year of 1817. The couple were married in the old country which remained their home until 1848 when Mr. Hoffbauer, Sr., decided to try the opportunities said to abound in America.

Accordingly they crossed the Atlantic, landed in New York, August 1848, and then made their way west to Watertown, Wisconsin. There for two years the father followed farming, at the end of that period going to Janesville, Wisconsin, where he built a house-boat, on which the family floated down the Rock River to Rock Island, which they reached November 4, 1852. For the next "unreadable" years, while living in this waterhouse, Hugo Hoffbauer found employment on the steamboat Lamertine. About that time, however, an incident occurred which changed the mode of life of the family, for a storm arising in the river, the house-boat was carried across to the Iowa shore. As the country appeared inviting they determined to remain here, forthwith procuring a tract of land in Scott County which they cultivated profitably for a number of years.

Hugo Hoffbauer was 12 years of age when his parents came to America and had consequently received his education in the land of his birth. He accompanied them to Watertown to Janesvile, Wisconsin, and then assisted in the construction of the house-boat. Finally, when they took up their residence in Scott County, he did his full share in cultivation of the farm. His life was interrupted by the inauguration of the Civil War, for like the many young men of ambition, Mr. Hoffbauer was very anxious to offer his services in the support of the Union and at the same time win distinction on the field of battle. Therefore he enlisted in the fourteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, August 17, 1862, (some of this sentence is unreadable) I believe is written that he served as Lieutenant and then as Captain in a little more then two years of service.

Page 697
These days are perhaps the most vivid of any in Mr. Hoffbauer's life; surely they are a distinction which can never be shard by others. The solemnity of the occasion, the dignity of the man who virtually sacrificed himself for what he believed to be the right and then the soldier's associations, the reminiscences of the field of struggle, all these things combined to leave an impression indelible and unequaled by any other.

When the war was brought to close and Mr. Hoffbauer received his honorable discharge from the army, he returned to Scott County to continue in the occupation which had been so rudely interrupted. In 1885 he relinquished active farming and removed to Buffalo, where he engaged in the brewing business. In a few years, however, he decided to make another change so bought the mercantile establishment which he now conducts.

It was in 1859 that Mr. Hoffbauer wedded Miss Virginia Meyers, a daughter of Jacob Meyers, of Buffalo Township. Ten children were born to this union, but only three are now living: Max, who married Miss Bessie Moorehead and is now residing in Buffalo; Lewis, who wedded Miss Ella Mayhaus and is carrying on the bottling works and ice business in Buffalo; and Louisa "Lulu," the wife of Lewis Reinbrecht of Scott County.

In his early manhood Mr. Hoffbauer gave his political support to the Republican party but in 1872 decided the principles of the democracy were in more accord with his own views. Since that time he has steadfastly supported his candidates. While he was a resident of the country, he held all of the township offices within the gift of the people. Since he has lived in Buffalo he has been equally conspicuous in public affairs, for during a period of twenty years was mayor of the village, is at present Justice of the Peace, while Grover Cleveland was president he served as Post Master. His discharge of the trusts imposed upon him has always been marked with devotion to duty, carefulness and efficiency, so that there has been little occasion for dissatisfaction with his administration, while approiation is the general feeling. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith but at present is not affiliated with any church but is associated with several fraternal and social organizations, being a member of Banner Lodge, No. 16, K.P. of the local G.A.R. Post, of the Turners and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The friends he has made among his brothers in these societies are unanimous in according him the respect and good will which he deserves.

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