Hoffman, Louis

HOFFMAN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/29/2021 at 12:01:32

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.755

LOUIS HOFFMAN
Louis Hoffman, who is engaged in business in Lacona as a dealer in harness, buggies and wagons, is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to this country. When twenty years of age, foreseeing that there was no future there for him and having heard and read of the freedom and opportunity for advancement in this country, he decided to leave home. In was in 1882 that he first set foot on American soil and he has since made this state his home. Mr. Hoffman was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, April 12, 1862, a son of Sebastian Hoffman, likewise a native of that province, where he worked at the shoemakers trade. He spent his entire life there and is now deceased.
The son, whose name introduces this review, was reared and educated in his native land and after coming to this country soon mastered the English language. Before coming to America he learned the shoemaker's trade, working at the same for some little time. Upon his arrival in the new world he made his way to Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he worked at his trade and also did various duties that would yield him an honest living. He later took up his abode in Lineville, this state, where he was employed as a farm hand by the month for a time and then went to Corydon, where he continued to work at his trade and in the meantime learned the harness maker's trade. For several years he conducted a shoe shop in the latter city and in 1900 came to Lacona, where he purchased a harness shop and engaged in business on his own account. He put in a stock of buggies and wagons and has now built up a large and profitable business, owing to the high grade goods which he carries and his reasonable prices. He has built a fine modern building in which he conducts his business and has also erected a nice home in Lacona.
It was during his residence in Corydon, this state, that Mr. Hoffman was united in marriage to Miss Bertha McCarty, the wedding being celebrated on the 23d of December 1888. She was born and reared in this state and by her marriage has become the mother of a son and daughter. Nellie is the wife of Robert Goode, a native of Iowa, where he was also reared. He is now engaged in the harness business in Lacona. Fred is the other member of the family.
Mr. Hoffman's study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to give hearty support to the men and measures of the Republican Party. During his residence in Corydon he served in the city council for several years and also acted as street commissioner and since coming to Lacona has served on the village and the school boards. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful part. He is now acting as a trustee and steward of the church and is also assistant superintendent of and a teacher in the Sunday school. No matter in what relation of life we find him, whether in public office, in business or social life, he is always the same honored and honorable gentleman and all who know him have for him none but the highest regard and esteem.